MADISON, Wis.—Nov. 30, 2018—WPS Health Solutions plans to fill upwards of 100 more claims processing and management positions in West Frankfort, Ill., because of the company’s new expanded role in supporting TriWest Healthcare Alliance as it administers two programs for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Earlier in November, the company announced it also is adding positions in Wausau, Wis., for this new expanded role in VA claims processing.
In September, WPS opened an office with one suite in the city-owned West Frankfort Outlet Mall to supplement the company’s Marion office, which is about 21 miles away. About 50 employees initially transferred from Marion to the West Frankfort office. Now, because of the new expanded growth of its VA work and other government contract needs, WPS is beginning to lease additional suites in the mall.
Also, staff from WPS Government Health Administrators in Marion are moving to the West Frankfort office to make room for additional hiring in Marion.
Year to date, WPS has hired 383 employees in Marion, 13 in West Frankfort, plus another 19 who work remotely in Illinois.
There currently are 408 employees in Marion, 43 in West Frankfort, and 73 working remotely in Illinois.
“Right from the beginning of our talks with the city, WPS was impressed by the positive reception and outstanding cooperation from the community. This truly is an example of progress for the region, resulting in an expanded workforce in West Frankfort, as well as additional hiring activity in our Marion office,” said Scott Kowalski, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Business Development.
The city of West Frankfort anticipates investing approximately $250,000 in upgrades to accommodate the WPS office space, as well as updating the overall appearance of the mall with new exterior paint and LED lights for the parking lot.
The city recently received an enterprise zone sales-tax abatement so contractors working on the mall upgrades can purchase materials without sales tax.
Based in part on the additional jobs and the anticipated traffic increase brought to West Frankfort by WPS, the city is applying for grants to extend and improve Bob Burton Way and expand the intersection of Highway 149 and Ken Gray Boulevard, which is near the outlet mall.
WPS currently supports TriWest Healthcare Alliance in administering the Patient-Centered Community Care (PC3) and Veterans Choice Program (VCP) for veterans in three regions of the United States. VA gave TriWest Healthcare Alliance new responsibility for the remaining three regions after another contractor’s agreement expired on Sept. 30. TriWest Healthcare Alliance and WPS will ensure that veterans have ready access to community care when needed until the next generation of community care contracts – Community Care Networks (CCN) – are awarded and implemented.
Invitation-only interviews for the VA Claims Processor openings in West Frankfort will be held the week of Dec. 10. To apply, please see the WPS Careers page.
“WPS values the military and veteran communities, and we’re committed to proving that with our actions. We’re looking for solution-driven people, with the characteristics epitomized by our military: driven, passionate, and willing to take individual responsibility.”
Moira Klos, Vice President, Human Resources.
