The Spearfish Regional Hospital contract with Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield expired as of November 1, 2006. Due to the contract expiration, Wellmark will reimburse for services provided on or after November 1, 2006, at Spearfish Regional Hospital at the non-network level.

Spearfish Regional Hospital will continue to provide care to Wellmark patients and will file claims to Wellmark on the patient’s behalf. On November 1, 2006, Wellmark members will notice the following changes:

• Members may receive any benefit payments directly from Wellmark and be responsible for paying Spearfish Regional Hospital directly for services received.
• If there is a difference between what Spearfish Regional Hospital charges and what Wellmark reimburses, members will be billed for the difference – a practice called balance billing. If this occurs, members would be responsible for the balance-billed amount, as well as any applicable deductible, coinsurance percentages, or co-payments.

Please note: Wellmark continues to offer their members in-network coverage at Custer Regional Hospital, Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital, Rapid City Regional Hospital, Sturgis Regional Hospital, and all Reginal Medical Clinics.

If you have any questions, please call your Wellmark customer service representative.