Albuquerque-based New Mexico Heart Institute, one of the state's largest cardiology practices, terminated its contract with Presbyterian Health Plan — a move that will affect about 3,000 patients, the Albuquerque Journal reports.
New Mexico Heart Institute initiated the termination, which takes effect July 12. The institute's COO, Trena Chagnon, said it ended the agreement to "provide the highest quality of care and more efficient treatment" for its patients. She added, "But in the future, we hope there comes a time when we will be able to serve our Presbyterian patients again."
As a result of the contract termination, the roughly 3,000 affected patients will have to pay more out of pocket to access their New Mexico Heart Institute physicians and services.
Presbyterian Healthcare Service's CMO and clinical transformation officer Jason Mitchell, MD, told the Albuquerque Journal the health plan "appreciate[s] the care [NMHI has] provided our members." The plan will begin calling affected members to help them choose another in-network provider, he added.
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