Health partners and insurance split ways

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - At the end of business Thursday, the contract between ABQ Health Partners and Lovelace Health Plan will end.

The dispute between companies left more than 100,000 patients in limbo forced to find a new doctor, or new insurance provider, wondering who will cover their doctor visits and who will pay for them.

Both sides say that despite the break between the companies, patients should not see an immediate break in coverage.

Existing ABQ Health Patients covered by Lovelace insurance will be able to stay with an ABQ Health doctor, which the company will in turn bill Lovelace for, patients will not be negatively impacted. This will only continue through the end of the year or until patients find a new insurance provider.

As for Lovelace, they are offering to help their ABQ Health Patients find new doctors.

Word of the five year contract ending between the two companies sent tens of thousands into a panic over having to find a new doctor or new insurance carrier.

Many have already taken steps to fix that prior to Thursday’s split.

"It was an unforeseen thing you know and it's caused some inconvenience, but I'm sure it's going to work out in our case," says Bill Williamson who will be looking for a new doctor.

Others shared their opinion.

"As we were driving over here today, my husband said I think we better stay with the ones we have," says Barbara Schoepfer, who will be staying with ABQ Health Partners. "We're staying with the doctors we have."

UNM workers who use ABQ Health Partners have worked out a deal where they can continue to see doctors there.

For patients this can be a very confusing time.

For ways to get in touch with ABQ Health Partners or Lovelace:

ABQ Health Partners:
1 (877) 540-2715, Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

website: keepmyabqhpdoc.com
 

Lovelace Health Plan:
(505) 727-5555, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 11 p.m., or from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays
email: findadoctor@lovelace.com
website: providerfinder.lovelacehealthplan.com