Some 14,000 Lovelace Health Plan members — many state employees and retirees — can no longer access nonemergency health care at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center or its affiliate doctors and clinics effective today.

In a statement Friday night, the insurance company said it had been negotiating with the hospital until 8 p.m., the contractual deadline for an agreement on costs and reimbursement.

"Lovelace offered to extend the contract for a short period of time in the interest of transitioning care, however St. Vincent declined the request," the statement said.

Christus St. Vincent spokesman Arturo Delgado said the insurer was notified some 90 days ago, but let negotiations go to the final week. "It's terribly unfortunate, it puts us in an unfortunate position with our patients and our community," Delgado said.

He emphasized the emergency room is not impacted and all patients admitted through the ER or currently in the hospital will continue to receive full reimbursement.

Lovelace covers patients with the state of New Mexico as well as the New Mexico Retiree Health Care Authority, and has had a contract with St. Vincent for 15 years.

Since there is no agreement, "all Lovelace Health Plan members will no longer be allowed to utilize non emergent medical services at St. Vincent. This termination includes all of its healthcare centers located in Northern New Mexico," the company said.

In addition to the hospital, Christus owns urgent care, pediatric and primary clinics — including Pojoaque Primary Care — as well as laboratories and some specialty practices such as Christus St. Vincent Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.

Lovelace Communications Manager Laurie Volkin said the insurer will send letters to all members and directly contact those who have scheduled appointments and surgeries at Christus St. Vincent — or any Christus physician office. Past appointments and surgeries will not be impacted, she said.

Lovelace is also offering transportation for all its members to receive services at any Lovelace Health System facility or contracted health care provider office.

Lovelace has established a hot line for its members who have questions or need assistance with other providers or transportation. The hot line 1-877-727-3050 and will be available starting this morning and then 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.

Contact Bruce Krasnow at brucek@sfnewmexican.com.