By Vern Hee – Special to the Pahrump Valley Times

Seniors packed a town hall meeting organized by Health Care Partners of Nevada on Monday. The reason many showed up was because of the confusion still surrounding the split between insurance provider Health Plan of Nevada/Senior Dimensions and Health Care Partners  medical group
Dr. Sherif Abdou, CEO, of the medical group said he is determined to dispel the confusion and answer any and all questions posed by local patients.
“If every one of you standing right here has an issue I will resolve them to your satisfaction,” Abdou told the group.
In April, Health Plan of Nevada and Senior Dimensions could not resolve a contract dispute with Health Care Partners, affecting some 36,000 patients, whose coverage could change by Sept. 30.
Abdou said in one of his many promises to the seniors gathered before him that Health Care Partners hired extra people in the office to help seniors with any insurance problems they encounter.
“If you have issues go to the doctor and the nurse, and we also hired an RN (registered nurse) full time at the office and we hired a social worker and federal specialist. They will deal with any insurance issues. We will help you deal with insurance questions, “Abdou said passionately.
Abdou commented that Health Care Partners did everything possible to prevent the relationship with Health Plan Nevada/Senior Dimensions from ending. He felt a meeting was necessary to clear the air with patients who have grown fond of their doctors.
“I was informed about the decision on Apr. 3. There was confusion. What is Health Plan of Nevada? What is Health Care Partners?  A lot of misinformation and confusion existed. Some patients said we terminated the contract, which is not correct. We felt we owed it to the patients to come here,” Abdou said.
Some 50 to 60 confused seniors packed the conference room at the Pahrump Nugget to hear the doctor speak. Abdou came to the meeting prepared, made a brief speech and rolled up his sleeves and began answering questions right away. He did not stop until all the questions were answered, which took at least an hour.
He was straightforward and to the point and when he could not answer a question he had one of his many associates there take down the name of the patient. He then told the associate to research the problem and solve it.
Pahrump resident John Whitney summarized the situation facing almost all in the room.
“It seems to me if I want to keep my insurance company, I change my doctor. And if I want to keep my doctor, I change my insurance company,” he said, summing up the issue almost all of the seniors face.
Another Pahrump resident chimed in expressing the feelings of just about every person in the room, too.
 “I want to keep my doctor and I do not want to change my doctor. I have seen my doctor for 15 years and I do not want to lose him. I can continue with Health Care Partners up until Sept. 30. I was told by Senior Dimensions if you do not like it then you know what to do,” attendee Mary French said.
The following are some typical questions and their answers that arose during the meeting. All of them were addressed by Abdou.

If you want to keep your doctor after Sept. 30 you must change your insurance company?
This is true. The following are options provided by Abdou for Nye County: If you qualify for regular Medicare you can switch anytime and do not have to wait till Sept. 30. You can switch to Humana, but you must wait until Oct. 7 and it will be effective Jan. 1. If you have a special condition such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or vascular disease then you can transfer anytime to Humana.
If we change insurance companies to stay with our doctors will the doctors stay with Health Care Partners?
“More than likely it is the intention that all doctors remain, you do favors for us by letting us into your lives, we believe there is a moral and ethical contract between the physician and the patient,” replied Abdou.
If a person changes to Humana from the old plan, it will not take effect until Jan 1. What happens between Sept. 30 and Jan. 1?
“If you have an active treatment plan, you are covered for 120 days under the old plan which will get you through Jan. 1 or if you qualify for heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or vascular disease then this qualifies you to transfer immediately,” said Abdou.
If I transfer to Humana will my co-pay be higher and what about my medicine?
“The co-pay will not be higher, it will be zero. And the medicine is the same as Senior Dimensions,” said Abdou.

Only time will tell if Health Care Partners fully satisfies all patient inquiries. The phone numbers below  are provided to aid in the resolution of any questions:
Humana: 702-837-4401
Medicare officials: 1-800-633-4227
Medicare Advantage: 702-242-7301 or 1-800-650-6232
Call the Division of Consumer Services at the Nevada division of Insurance if you feel you have been treated unfairly: 702-486-4009
Call Health Plan Nevada: 702-242-7300 or 800-777-1840.