Tricare Management: Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Takes Over

is tricare being managed by wisconsin physicians service insurance

Wisconsin Physicians Service (WPS) is a non-profit health insurance provider that has served the people of Wisconsin for over 65 years. WPS provides administrative services for the U.S. Military Health System and is the primary contact for TRICARE For Life (TFL) customer service needs. TRICARE is managed by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) under the leadership of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs). This raises the question: is TRICARE being managed by WPS?

Characteristics Values
Who manages TRICARE? The Defense Health Agency (DHA) under the leadership of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs)
Who administers the TRICARE For Life (TFL) benefit? Wisconsin Physicians Service (WPS)
Who is WPS's current president and CEO? Wendy Perkins
When was WPS formed? 1946
Where was WPS formed? Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Who was WPS's first chief executive officer? Charles Crownhart
When did WPS receive the American Medical Association (AMA) Seal of Acceptance? 1948
When did WPS relocate from Milwaukee to Madison? 1950
When did WPS become the Medicare administrator for the state of Wisconsin? 1966
When did WPS create The EPIC Life Insurance Company? 1984
When did WPS announce it was entering a partnership with Aspirus? January 26, 2016
When was the TRICARE 2017 contract for the East Region awarded to Humana Government Business with WPS MVH as a subcontractor? July 21, 2016

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Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS) is a not-for-profit health insurer

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS) is a non-profit health insurer with a long history of serving the people of Wisconsin. Founded in 1946 by the State Medical Society of Wisconsin, WPS has been providing affordable health insurance options for individuals, families, and businesses for more than 65 years.

WPS offers a range of insurance plans, including individual health insurance, family health insurance, high-deductible health plans, short-term health insurance, and flexible group plans. They also provide cost-effective benefit plan administration for businesses. Over the years, WPS has expanded across Wisconsin, opening sales offices in Kenosha, Green Bay, Eau Claire, Milwaukee, Wausau, Appleton, and La Crosse.

In addition to its insurance business, WPS has a strong presence in the Medicare space. It was named the Medicare administrator for the state of Wisconsin in 1966 and continues to serve as the Medicare Administrative Contractor for multiple jurisdictions in the Midwest. WPS also developed the Century Plan for customers aged 65 and older and the WPS Medicare Companion supplement plan, which is now the most popular Wisconsin-based Medicare supplement plan in the state.

WPS has also ventured into other areas of insurance, creating The EPIC Life Insurance Company in 1984 to sell life and disability insurance. This subsidiary was later renamed EPIC Specialty Benefits and expanded its offerings to include term life insurance, dental, vision, and voluntary benefits. WPS has also formed partnerships with other health insurance companies, such as Aspirus, to expand its reach and offerings.

WPS is committed to innovation and growth while maintaining its dedication to serving its customers with compassion. The company has recently undergone a brand refresh, including a new logo, to modernize its image and set itself apart from competitors. This commitment to staying agile and responsive to the changing needs of its customers has helped WPS maintain its position as a leading health insurer in Wisconsin.

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WPS administers the TRICARE For Life (TFL) benefit

Wisconsin Physicians Service (WPS) administers the TRICARE For Life (TFL) benefit. Founded in 1946, WPS is a non-profit health insurer offering affordable individual, family, and group health insurance plans. It has served the people of Wisconsin for more than 65 years and has expanded its services to other states as well.

WPS is the primary contact for TRICARE For Life-related customer service needs in the United States and its territories, including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. They provide information technology support, claims processing, and customer service functions for TRICARE beneficiaries.

The TRICARE For Life program is managed by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) under the leadership of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs). TRICARE4u.com is an online resource for beneficiaries, providers, and government populations, where they can view claim status, Explanation of Benefits, and contact customer service in a secure environment.

WPS has a long history of serving the Military Health System as a claims administrator. They managed the first regional plan for the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) and continue to provide claims administration, customer service, and related activities for the TRICARE Overseas Program and TRICARE For Life Program. WPS also does contract work for the Veterans Choice program, operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Wisconsin Physicians Service (WPS) provides customer service for TRICARE For Life (TFL) and related programs. WPS has a long history of serving the people of Wisconsin, dating back to its founding in 1946 by the State Medical Society of Wisconsin. The company offers a range of health insurance plans, including individual, family, and short-term health insurance, as well as group plans for businesses.

In addition to its role in administering TFL, WPS has been involved with TRICARE in various capacities since 1956, when it began serving the Military Health System as a claims administrator. WPS also manages the TRICARE Overseas Program and provides contract work for the Veterans Choice program. The company was awarded a subcontract for the TRICARE 2017 contract for the East Region, which includes 30 states and approximately 6 million beneficiaries.

WPS's Military and Veterans Health (MVH) business unit is dedicated to serving members of the U.S. military and their families through TRICARE and Veterans Administration programs. MVH provides claims administration, customer service, and related support for TFL and the TRICARE Overseas Program.

WPS also has experience in administering Medicare plans, having been named the Medicare administrator for the state of Wisconsin in 1966. The company currently serves as the Medicare Administrative Contractor for multiple states in Jurisdiction 5 and Jurisdiction 8. Additionally, WPS offers the popular Wisconsin-based Medicare supplement plan, WPS Medicare Companion, which has over 42,000 members.

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WPS was formed in 1946 to market and administer the Wisconsin Plan

Wisconsin Physicians Service (WPS) was formed in 1946 by the State Medical Society of Wisconsin to market and administer the Wisconsin Plan, a non-profit insurance plan to help those struggling to pay for healthcare. WPS was awarded the American Medical Association (AMA) Seal of Acceptance in 1948 and, in 1950, became affiliated with the Blue Shield Association, allowing them to use the Blue Shield symbol and trademark. The 1950s were a period of strong growth for WPS, which began the decade as a major insurance provider for physicians' services and ended it as a major provider for hospital services.

In 1966, WPS was named the Medicare administrator for the state of Wisconsin. During the 1960s, WPS developed its Century Plan for customers aged 65 and older, as well as a Medicare PLUS supplement plan, now known as WPS Medicare Companion. In 1973, WPS moved its headquarters to 1717 W. Broadway in Madison. In 1975, the Wisconsin legislature passed a law requiring that service insurance corporations be legally separate from their parent professional societies. To comply with this legislation, WPS ended its relationship with the Wisconsin Medical Society in 1977, becoming an independent non-profit corporation.

In 1984, WPS created The EPIC Life Insurance Company to sell and administer life and disability insurance. In 2005, WPS and Mutual of Omaha announced the acquisition of Mutual of Omaha's Medicare Part A division, allowing WPS to compete for the new Medicare Administrative Contract (MAC) regions. In 2016, WPS entered a partnership with Aspirus, forming Aspirus Arise Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc., a health insurance company. In 2023, WPS appointed Wendy Perkins as its new president and CEO.

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WPS has served the Military Health System since 1956

Wisconsin Physicians Service (WPS) has a long history of serving the Military Health System, dating back to 1956. WPS is a non-profit health insurer that was founded in 1946 by the State Medical Society of Wisconsin to market and administer the Wisconsin Plan, aimed at helping those facing challenges in paying for healthcare. Over the years, WPS has expanded its reach across Wisconsin and established itself as a leading insurer in the state.

One of WPS's notable contributions to the Military Health System is its administration of the TRICARE program. TRICARE, managed by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) under the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), provides healthcare coverage for members of the military, veterans, and their families. WPS, through its Military and Veterans Health (MVH) business unit, plays a crucial role in this program.

The WPS MVH unit has been serving the Military Health System since 1956, specifically as a claims administrator. They were responsible for managing the first regional plan for the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). Over time, WPS MVH has expanded its services to include claims administration, customer service, and related activities for the TRICARE Overseas Program and TRICARE For Life Program. TRICARE For Life (TFL) is a benefit administered by WPS, and they serve as the primary contact for TFL-related customer service needs across the United States and its territories.

In addition to its work with TRICARE, WPS has also established itself as a significant player in the Medicare space. In 1966, WPS was appointed as the Medicare administrator for the state of Wisconsin. They have since expanded their role in Medicare, currently serving as the Medicare Administrative Contractor for multiple states in Jurisdiction 5 and Jurisdiction 8. WPS also offers Medicare supplement plans, such as the popular WPS Medicare Companion, which has over 42,000 members in Wisconsin.

Throughout its history, WPS has demonstrated a commitment to serving the healthcare needs of the military, veterans, and the wider community. With its expertise and experience, WPS continues to play a vital role in the Military Health System and in ensuring access to healthcare for those who serve and have served the nation.

Frequently asked questions

Tricare is a health program for members of the U.S. military and their families.

Tricare is managed by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) under the leadership of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs).

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation is a non-profit health insurer based in Wisconsin.

Yes, WPS administers the Tricare For Life (TFL) benefit and is the primary contact for TFL-related customer service needs in the United States and U.S. territories. WPS also provides information technology support, claims processing, and customer service functions for Tricare.

WPS offers affordable individual and family health insurance, high-deductible health plans, short-term health insurance, and flexible group plans. They also administer Medicare and have a Veterans Health unit that serves the Military Health System.

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