Your Questions

During the past several months, we worked closely with Amarillo Medical Specialists to try to negotiate new contracts.

However, we were unable to reach agreements on our commercial networks that protect the interests of our members and customers. We value our relationship with Amarillo Medical Specialists, but it’s also important that the contracts we agree to are fair for our members and the local businesses we serve.

Amarillo Medical will remain in our Medicare Advantage networks. 

Our goal is to keep giving you access to a broad network of providers at fair prices. We watch the market closely to make sure we offer competitive rates to providers. This helps lower the cost of your premiums.

As a member-owned organization, we know you expect us to protect your health care dollars. The rates we negotiate with providers impact the amount you pay. Health care is a major cost for many people, and we owe it to you to keep prices down.

If your plan is no longer in network and you’d like to stay in-network for your care, we’ll be here to make your move to other doctors in your network as seamless as possible. We have a robust network of providers to ensure you have access to quality in-network health care.

PPO members: Not necessarily. If you have a PPO plan that provides coverage for out-of-network benefits, you can choose to get care anywhere you want, including from Amarillo Medical Specialists. Out-of-pocket costs may be higher if you do. We recommend verifying your out-of-network benefits and weighing your options to maximize your health benefits. 

HMO members: If you have an HMO plan, you must seek in-network care for your benefits to apply, except in emergencies.

Emergency services for PPO and HMO: In the case of a life-threatening illness or injury, go to the nearest emergency facility right away. Emergency services are covered at your in-network benefit level for both PPO and HMO. Your responsibility for any additional charges will depend on your health plan and applicable law. Learn about surprise billing at bcbstx.com.

If your PCP is with Amarillo Medical Specialists and left our networks on May 1, 2026, we can help you find a new PCP. 

• Visit bcbstx.com and select Find Care, or visit your online provider directory 
• Log in to or sign up for your member account online or use the BCBSTX App 
• Call the number on your member ID card  

If you haven’t selected a new PCP, we’ll choose one for you and send you a new member ID card with your new PCP name. You can change this selection at any time. To change your PCP, log in to your member account online or use the BCBSTX App to make the switch.

This negotiation may affect Blue Cross and Blue Shield members with plans in other states who access Amarillo Medical Specialists. Call the number on your member ID card to review your plan’s coverage or for help finding in-network options.

If your plan is no longer in network, we’ll work with the doctors to avoid disrupting your care. If needed, we’ll help them transition your care or schedule procedures with other in-network doctors, 

You have many choices for quality, cost-effective care. For personalized search results based on your health plan and network, you can log in to your member account online or use the BCBSTX App. You can also call the number on your member ID card.

If you are pregnant or being treated for a disability, acute condition or life-threatening illness, you may qualify as a continuity-of-care patient. This means you may still be able to receive care from Amarillo Medical Specialists at in-network rates for a period of time even after they are no longer in our networks.

If you are eligible for continuity of care, you will not be balance billed or have to pay more than the amount covered by your plan, even if Amarillo Medical Specialists charges more.

If you have questions, call the number on your member ID card. Customer Advocates will help answer questions about your specific benefits and provide guidance. Your doctor may also start the continuity-of-care process by calling the prior authorization number on your member ID card.

BCBSTX members: You may start the process by completing a Request for Continued Access to Providers form or by calling the number on your member ID card. Forms should be faxed to the number on the form. Once reviewed, you and/or your doctor may be contacted for more information, like medical records. A decision will be made and shared with you or your doctor, most often in less than a week.

Members of other Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans: If you are a member of a Blue Plan other than BCBSTX, you may call the number on your member ID card for help.

The doctors and health care professionals employed by Amarillo Medical Specialists are part of this negotiation

Not necessarily. Some health plans allow you to choose to go out-of-network. If you do, you will pay more out-of-pocket for any care you receive by out-of-network providers or at out-of-network facilities.

If you have a procedure scheduled with Amarillo Medical Specialists on or after May 1, 2026, please call the number on your member ID card to ask about your benefit coverage.