Wellnow Bcbs Urgent Care Locations and Insurance Coverage

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Wellnow BCBS has a wide network of urgent care locations across the US, with over 100 centers in several states.

You can find a Wellnow BCBS urgent care location near you by visiting their website and using their location finder tool.

The centers are open 7 days a week, with extended hours on weekdays, making it convenient for those with busy schedules.

On average, patients can see a doctor within 15-30 minutes of arrival, reducing wait times and stress.

Urgent Care Locations and Coverage

If you're looking for urgent care locations, Wellnow BCBS has you covered. With over 100 locations across the Buffalo and Rochester areas, you can easily find a convenient location near you.

Wellnow BCBS partners with a network of urgent care centers to provide high-quality care when you need it most. You can visit the Wellnow BCBS website to find a location near you and check their hours of operation.

As a Wellnow BCBS member, you can expect to pay a lower copayment for urgent care services compared to emergency room visits. This can help you save money on out-of-pocket costs.

Urgent Care Locations in NY

Credit: youtube.com, Use Of Urgent Care Centers On The Rise

If you're looking for urgent care locations in New York, you're in luck. There are over 70 WellNow Urgent Care locations throughout the state.

WellNow Urgent Care has a strong presence in Monroe County, with multiple locations in the area. Some of the locations include Brockport, Fairport, Irondequoit, and Rochester.

You can visit any of the following locations in Rochester: 2760 Monroe Ave. Suite 401, 3648 Dewey Ave., 2232 Lyell Ave., or 235 Winton Rd. North.

Here are some of the locations in Monroe County:

  • Brockport: 6555 Fourth Section Rd.
  • Fairport: 18 Courtney Dr.
  • Irondequoit: 1238 East Ridge Rd.
  • Rochester: 2760 Monroe Ave. Suite 401
  • Rochester: 3648 Dewey Ave.
  • Rochester: 2232 Lyell Ave.
  • Rochester: 235 Winton Rd. North
  • Webster: 1867 Empire Blvd.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Disagrees on Urgent Care Coverage

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield customers in upstate New York are facing a dispute over urgent care coverage with WellNow Urgent Care Centers. As of January 1, 2024, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield will no longer be accepted at WellNow facilities.

The dispute stems from failed negotiations between Excellus and WellNow, with WellNow citing a 45% increase in rates over the past 10 years. WellNow Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Biernbaum argues that reimbursement rates are unsustainable, and if a fair deal isn't reached, some clinics may be forced to close.

Credit: youtube.com, WWNY WellNow Urgent Care could cut ties with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has released a statement, saying they continue to engage in productive discussions with WellNow, but that the rate increase requested by WellNow "far exceeds local primary care provider reimbursement." Excellus also notes that they have a locally-based nonprofit model, serving upstate New York, while WellNow is a Chicago-based for-profit company.

WellNow Urgent Care has a significant presence in upstate New York, with 2,500 healthcare workers potentially impacted by any site closures. The urgent care industry has faced challenges during the pandemic, including worker shortages and reduced demand for services.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield customers can still visit WellNow Urgent Care Centers, but they will have to pay out-of-network costs, which can be astronomical. The dispute affects only Excellus BlueCross BlueShield customers, with other types of BlueCross Blue Shield still covered.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield's service area spans 31 counties across the state, including the Central New York, Rochester, Southern Tier, and Utica/North Country regions. The company wants customers to visit their website to learn about other options for care.

WellNow Urgent Care has launched a website urging Excellus customers to push for a fair deal, which will automatically contact Excellus and political officials on behalf of customers.

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Excellus Rate Information

Credit: youtube.com, WellNow puts resuming rate talks on Excellus

WellNow asserted that the rate it gets from Excellus has been flat for the past decade, but Excellus has continued to drive average rate increases to its members of more than 8 percent every year, generating more than $130 million in profits a year.

Excellus spokesperson Joy Auch stated that WellNow's rate increase request "far exceed local primary care provider reimbursement."

Excellus' annual net income has averaged less than 2% of premium over the past 20 years.

Healthcare Impacts and Risks

Hundreds of thousands of people in upstate New York risk losing or paying significantly more for healthcare services in the new year due to a dispute between WellNow Urgent Care and Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield.

WellNow will no longer accept Excellus insurance in-network starting January 1st, unless a last-minute deal is reached. This means those with Excellus insurance will have to pay out-of-network costs for WellNow services.

Excellus has increased its rates 45% in the past ten years, according to Dr. Robert Biernbaum, Chief Medical Officer of WellNow Urgent Care. This has resulted in payments being cut by 35% for WellNow over the same period.

WellNow's reimbursement rates are getting to a point where they can't even take care of their own team members. This is a clear indication of the financial strain that healthcare providers are facing due to rising insurance costs.

For another approach, see: United Healthcare Point of Service Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Did WellNow settle with Excellus?

Yes, WellNow has reached an agreement with Excellus BCBS to rejoin its provider network. This agreement brings an end to a dispute between the two parties.

Is Excellus BCBS the same as BCBS?

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is not the same as BCBS, but it is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. This means it operates independently while still being part of the larger BCBS network.

Minnie Dietrich

Senior Assigning Editor

Minnie Dietrich is an accomplished Assigning Editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in journalism, she has honed her skills in curating engaging content that resonates with diverse audiences. Throughout her career, Minnie has demonstrated expertise in assigning and editing articles across a range of categories, including technology, finance, and lifestyle.

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