Taking care of employers for generations

1960

• Marshfield Clinic makes arrangement to provide Felker Brothers Corp. employees with healthcare coverage. 

1968

• Congressman Melvin Laird asked Marshfield Clinic physician Russell Lewis if the Clinic would be willing to experiment with prepaid care in an effort to reduce healthcare costs. Over the next two years, Dr. Lewis, Dr. Ben Lawton, Fritz Wenzel and Mr. Laird worked together to develop the Greater Marshfield Community Health Plan, which later became Security Health Plan.
  

1971

• Greater Marshfield Community Health Plan began enrolling members in March 1971. It was the nation’s first rural HMO. By the end of the year, enrollment was 9,188. There was a continuous open enrollment. No one was denied coverage due to any pre-existing condition.

• The Greater Marshfield Community Health Plan was a joint venture between Marshfield Clinic, Blue Cross Blue Shield United and Saint Joseph’s Hospital.

1975

• There were four separate plans at this time that people could enroll in: The Greater Marshfield Community Health Plan, The Clark Plan, The Medford Plan and Family Health Center. 

1980

• Enrollment opened to Medicare beneficiaries.

1986

• Greater Marshfield Community Health Plan was dissolved. Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc. was established. Partnership with Blue Cross and St. Joseph’s Hospital ends.

1989

• Different types of plans offered. This included Medicare Supplement, individual plans and employer coverage. 

1993

• The building on Marshfield Clinic campus where Security Health Plan employees worked was dedicated to Health Plan founder Russell Lewis, M.D. This was the former Grant Elementary School building that was converted to office space for Security Health Plan and other Marshfield Clinic departments in 1993. 

1994

• Security Health Plan began holding bike rodeos to teach children about bike safety and prevent head injuries.

1995

• Jim Coleman executive director (1993-1999) and William Maurer, M.D. medical director (1986-1998)

1998

• Health Plan enrollment surpasses 100,000 members.
• First employer group is sold on Security’s third party administrative (TPA) product.
• Groundbreaking for Security Health Plan’s current building   

1999

• Security Health Plan began participating in Wisconsin’s Medicaid program, also known as BadgerCare Plus.
• Security Health Plan rated #1 in Customer Service in the nation, based on a patient experience survey.  
• Security Health Plan moved into the new building at 1515 St. Joseph Ave. 

2002

• Security Health Plan launched Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare + choice)
• Security Health Plan becomes accredited with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)

2005

• Security Health Plan rated #1 health plan in Wisconsin, 11th best health plan in the nation for commercial, and 3rd best in the nation for Medicare Advantage.  

2006

• Jerry Kramer began as Security Health Plan’s spokesman 

2008

• Nurse Navigator service offered to help members navigate through the health care system.

2010

• Security’s Medicare Advantage plans earn 5-star CMS rating 

2014

• Security Health Plan launches Affordable Care Act plans on the Federally-facilitated Exchange. At the end of 2014, Security Health Plan enrolled 24,255 members in a policy through the Federally-facilitated Exchange. 

2015

• Health Plan enrollment surpasses 230,000 members

2020

• Security Health Plan expands coverage of telehealth and covers Care My Way® visits at 100% for members. 
• In 2025, Marshfield Clinic Health System combined with Sanford Health, bringing Security Health Plan and Sanford Health Plan under one health plan. This collaboration marked a significant milestone for our organization, merging two leading health systems to improve the quality and reach of our services. The combined system strengthened the exceptional care available to our members and opened new opportunities for growth and development for our organization.

In January 2000, Mr. Laird toured the new building and met Security Health Plan employees.

$70/month

In 2000. Our mascot for the Dairfest parade was a Health Nut. 

In 2015. We’re proud to have achieved SQM’s World-Class Customer Experience Certification for eight consecutive years.