Sanford Health says it has notified Wellmark that it intends to terminate their contract effective July 1, 2027, after months of negotiations over contract terms affecting South Dakota patients. The announcement, issued Oct. 26, says Sanford and Wellmark have eight months to reach an agreement.
Sanford says Wellmark wants sole authority to change key contract terms after signing, including terms affecting patient care and reimbursement. Sanford says it supports multi-year agreements when they provide stability, but also wants market-appropriate reimbursement rates that keep pace with care costs.
For now, Sanford says it remains in network with Wellmark, patients’ coverage and benefits are unchanged, and appointments, procedures and treatments will continue as scheduled. The company says the notice primarily affects Wellmark members and may also affect BlueCard patients seeking care at Sanford locations in South Dakota and Iowa.
Sanford says the negotiation affects access to services including the Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.
South Dakota patients with questions about current coverage or available options can contact their insurance company by calling the number on the back of their member card, Sanford says.
