Photo by Richard Hurd
WPS Health Solutions employees fulfilling essential role while working remotely, keeping claims and payments flowing during COVID-19 crisis
Contact:
DeAnne Boegli, Director of Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com
MADISON, Wis.—April 2, 2020—WPS Health Solutions has 93% of its more than 4,000 employees and contractors working from home to meet the demands of the health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WPS is an essential business under the various state stay-at-home orders. The company provides critical infrastructure support to the nation’s health care system. WPS has reduced risk by aggressively transitioning employees to remote work at their homes and instituting enhanced cleaning protocols. The number of employees working from home has increased significantly since March 11 when the company escalated proactive steps to protect the safety and health of its workforce; at that time 38% of the workforce was remote. All WPS lines of business remain open and continue with normal operations.
WPS has major facilities in four states and remote workers in 18 states. The company administers Medicare benefits for millions of seniors, and processes payments for millions of active military service members and their families and veterans. This in addition to providing health insurance for thousands of families and individuals in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Florida.
“I’m proud to say our recently mobilized workforce is meeting productivity and quality metrics in this new remote environment,” said WPS President and CEO Mike Hamerlik. “We haven’t missed a beat.”
Fewer than 270 workers remain at WPS facilities in four states—including mail sorting and scanning, call center, and printing operations. These employees are following physical-distancing guidelines and monitoring their own health before reporting to work as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Anyone with common COVID-19 symptoms—or other illnesses—must stay home. WPS is using aggressive cleaning protocols and providing disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer to employees. The company has a centralized method for supervisors to report any illnesses. So far, no WPS employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
“WPS has an essential role in keeping claims and payments flowing to the health care networks. We need our employees to stay healthy to help the U.S. respond to this pandemic,” Hamerlik said. “The health and safety of our employees, customers, agents, and vendors, and the continuity of customer service remain our top priorities.”
For WPS health insurance customers:
WPS Health Insurance has a special page—wpshealth.com/covid19—with updates regarding coverage related to COVID-19.
In most cases, telehealth services are available to WPS customers and their dependents to answer questions about the virus, evaluate their risk, and provide support by phone or video call if they develop symptoms. Cost-sharing for office visits to determine if COVID-19 testing is needed and the testing itself are waived, which means customers pay no copays, deductibles, or coinsurance.
WPS will allow early refills for both 30-day supplies and 90-day supplies of retail and home delivery prescriptions. Note that not all medications are approved for extended supplies and the amount of the refill will vary depending on the number of refills remaining on the prescription.
About WPS Health Solutions
WPS Health Solutions is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans, and their families. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) has been based in Madison, Wis., for more than 70 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.