MADISON, Wis.—Oct. 8, 2021—Wisconsin Physicians Service was created on Oct. 8, 1946, by the Wisconsin State Medical Society to market and sell the Wisconsin Plan, a health insurance product for Wisconsin residents—many of them were returning from World War II needing health care. The focus on caring for customers has never wavered. For 75 years, WPS has been there to help state residents, seniors, and active-duty and retired military personnel get the health care they need.
“Change is a constant in business,” President and CEO Mike Hamerlik said. “But one thing that doesn’t change is the commitment we have to those we serve through our commercial insurance products and government contracts. Our employees are dedicated to making sure the customers and beneficiaries who count on us get the best possible service. Our goal is to make health care easier for the people we serve.”
A Certificate of Commendation honoring WPS’ 75th anniversary from the Office of the Governor states, “I, Tony Evers, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, do hereby congratulate WPS Health Solutions upon its 75th anniversary, and thank everyone involved for their dedicated service to our state.”
From pioneering “usual, customary, and reasonable” billing in the 1950s to creating one of the first Health Maintenance Organization plans in Wisconsin in the 1970s, WPS has long been an innovator across all its lines of business. Success in senior and military health program contracts fueled growth through the ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s.
Today, WPS holds a variety of contracts and subcontracts for the Medicare and TRICARE programs. As of Dec. 31, 2020, WPS serves more than 17.9 million beneficiaries and cares for more than 150,000 health insurance customers.
