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. We haven’t missed a beat.”
Mike Hamerlik, President and CEO, WPS Health Solutions
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.”
WPS Health Solutions has a special page—wpshealthsolutions.com/covid19—with updates regarding coverage related to COVID-19.
