You may see any health care provider you wish with both UIChoice and UISelect. However, the cost of care will depend on the benefit level of the provider you choose.
Level 1 Providers
UI Health Care Medical Center Downtown
Effective January 31, 2024, the university-employed providers at UI Health Care Medical Center Downtown (formerly Mercy Iowa City Hospital and community clinics) are now Level 1 health care providers for UIChoice and UISelect plan members.
- Some independent providers (non-UI employees) of anesthesia, pathology, and radiology services at UI Health Care Medical Center Downtown are considered Level 2.
Level 1 providers are also found at the community clinics in Iowa City, Coralville, Solon, Kalona, West Liberty, Tipton, Muscatine, and West Branch.
- Most providers in Williamsburg are Level 1; however, there are independent Level 2 providers currently practicing in this clinic.
UI Health Care
To find the right provider for you, visit the UI Health Care links below to begin your search:
UI QuickCare and UI Urgent Care
Get same-day care at one of our UI Health Care's urgent or quick cares. Schedule your appointment online and check the current wait times at each location.
Unsure of which to choose? Visit Right Care at the Right Place for further guidance.
Other Affiliated Level 1 Providers
Other non-UI Health Care providers that are also level 1 providers under the UI health plans include:
UI Health Care: Your health care is our priority
Serving the healthcare needs of the UI family is a priority for UI Health Care. UI Health Care has created a full range of options for the UI family to get care easier and faster. And you can be sure that we continue to work hard to find new ways to make our services more convenient.
UI Health Care note
Find out how to schedule with UI Health Care Services today
Only One Number to Remember: 800-777-8442
That's your toll-free gateway to all UI Health Care services. (If you have other, older numbers you're used to calling, those will still work for you, too.)
Remember to mention you're a UIChoice or UISelect member when you call!
Same-Day Access: UI QuickCare and UI Urgent Care
Need care right now? If it's after hours or sooner than your doctor can see you, our UI QuickCare and UI Urgent Care clinics are here when you need non-emergency care.
Plus, our easy online scheduling lets you reserve your spot before you go, so you spend less time waiting at the clinic. Learn more at https://uihc.org/ui-quickcare or https://uihc.org/ui-urgent-care.
| UI QuickCare Hours Weekdays: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Weekends: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. | UI Urgent Care Hours Weekdays: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Weekends: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
Online Scheduling for Return Patients
Many clinics offer online appointment scheduling for return patients through our convenient MyChart service. MyChart is an online hub for managing appointments, checking in from home, reading test results, refilling medications, messaging your provider, and more. UIChoice and UISelect members who use MyChart can schedule appointments with general pediatrics, family medicine, mammography, dermatology, and many more. To sign up or for more information, visit MyChart - UI Health Care.
Quicker Access to Specialty Care
- Cardiology: new patient appointments within 48 hours
- Pediatrics: same-day, next-day, and night and weekend appointments
- Sports Medicine: same-day and next-day appointments, with evening appointments available
New to the UI family?
Take your first step toward better health: Choose a primary care provider
We encourage all members of the UI family to choose a primary care provider or PCP. Why? Because studies have shown that people who choose a PCP enjoy better health, make fewer trips to the hospital, and pay lower medical bills.
A PCP is your primary doctor, who gets to know you and your family and provides all of your primary medical care, like routine checkups and non-emergency care. Your PCP also helps to coordinate and monitor your care when you need to see a specialist.
To get started, call 800-777-8442 and schedule your first appointment today.
How to search Wellmark for providers
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa's website will allow you to search for providers in the Wellmark Blue HMO Network (UISelect) and the Wellmark Blue POS Network (UIChoice).
Searching for a provider in your area
Both plans can be searched by using the prefix ‘XQW.’
- Go to the Wellmark Find a Provider page
- Select “Find a provider or facility.”
- A message will appear letting you know, “You are now leaving Wellmark.com.” – select “Continue to New Site”
- Choose a location and plan – ex. Iowa City, IA
- Find your plan by prefix – use “XQW” for UIChoice or UISelect
- Search by Doctors by name, Doctors by specialty, Places by name, Places by type
national and worldwide providers
Searching for a national provider
The National Provider Locator (outside of Iowa and South Dakota) can search for Level 3 providers under UIChoice, for providers outside of Iowa and South Dakota in the case of an emergency, or for those with a Guest Membership under UISelect.
The BlueCard network is used for both UIChoice and UISelect.
- Go to Wellmark's National Provider Locator page
- Choose a location
- Select a plan - select by plan name (do NOT use the prefix XQW), use “Or, select by plan name.”
- Select “BlueCard Traditional” (this is the network used when searching outside of Iowa and South Dakota)
- Type a name or phrase to find doctors, hospitals, and more.
Searching for providers while traveling internationally or living abroad
You take your healthcare benefits abroad as a Blue Cross and Blue Shield member. You can access doctors and hospitals worldwide through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global® Core program.
- Always carry your current member ID card.
- Before you travel, contact Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) of Iowa for coverage details. Coverage outside the United States may be different.
- Call the Service Center for Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core at 1-800-810-2583 if you need to locate a doctor or hospital. An assistance coordinator and a medical professional will arrange a physician appointment or hospitalization if necessary.
- Call the Service Center to arrange direct billing if you need inpatient care. In most cases, you should not pay upfront for inpatient care except for the out-of-pocket expenses (non-covered services, deductible, copay, and coinsurance) you usually pay. The hospital should submit the claim on your behalf.
- You may need to pay upfront for outpatient and doctor care or inpatient care not arranged through the Service Center. Complete a Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core International claim form and send it with the bill(s) to the Service Center (the address is on the form). You can also submit your claim online or through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core mobile app. The claim form is available from Wellmark BCBS of Iowa or online at www.bcbsglobalcore.com.
- In an emergency, go directly to the nearest hospital.
To learn more about Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core:
- Visit www.bcbsglobalcore.com.
- Use the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core app from your smartphone.
- Call Wellmark BCBS of Iowa.
- Call the Service Center at 1-800-810-2583, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core program was formerly known as BlueCard Worldwide®.
In addition to contacting the Service Center, call Wellmark BCBS of Iowa for pre-certification or pre-authorization. Refer to the phone number on the back of your member ID card. Note: This number is different from the phone number listed below.