Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield fired back at Sanford Health on Wednesday disputing Sanford’s case for planning to leave the Wellmark network.

On Tuesday, Sanford Health announced publicly that it plans to leave Wellmark’s network beginning on July 1, 2027 citing Wellmark’s unwillingness to compromise on its demands for exclusive control of decisions affecting patient care.

In a press release Wednesday, Wellmark said they have worked in good faith with Sanford Health to renew the longstanding contract and Wellmark is committed to making health care better and managing costs for members.

“Sanford Health has raised concerns in public about our discussions, but those concerns pull attention away from the real issue,” Wellmark posted. “We believe it comes down to how much Sanford Health wants to be paid.”

Wellmark said they the organization entered talks the same way they always have, looking to renew an agreement comparable to what others in the market are receiving and keep prices in check for our members.

Sanford Health, Wellmark posted, demands changes that would make it harder for Wellmark to manage costs for our members.

According to the press release, Wellmark wants to keep Sanford Health in the network and will keep working in good faith over the next eight months to reach a balanced agreement that helps keep premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs in check for South Dakotans.