Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the LoboCare Network?

Eligibility
LoboCare Network is a health care system option available under the health plans being offered to UNM and UNMH employees. The UNM health plan choices are United Healthcare and Lovelace Health Plan. The UNMH health plan is Blue Cross/Blue Shield. LoboCare Network is not a health plan; it is the name of the network of UNM Health Sciences Center's providers, hospitals, clinics, and services.

Employees have a Choice
Employees have a choice whether to use UNM providers and services or to choose to use another in-network or extended-network service. Relevant plan and benefit information can be found in the employee health plan handbook provided by the health plans and/or HR benefits offices.

Improving Access to Clinical Services
The UNM Health Sciences Center is committed to improving health care access to the UNMHSC for employees and all patients. All clinic locations will go through a process called "Advanced Access". Clinics that have completed this process have been very successful in improving access to clinical service. Our goal is to provide same-day appointments in primary care whenever possible and appointments within 2 weeks for specialty care.

2. What are the Benefits of the LoboCare Network?

Outstanding Care
The UNMHSC has over 400 providers practicing in over 100 specialties. Its six hospitals and 15 clinics provide New Mexicans with a wide range of excellent health care.

Financial Incentives
Using the LoboCare Network means lower out-of-pocket costs and co-pays for clinic visits and services compared to the in-network or out-of-network options under the health plans.

Convenient Locations
The UNMHSC's 11 primary care locations are conveniently located throughout the city with five locations either on or very near the UNM campus. These include the UNM Family Practice Center, the UNM Medicine General and Faculty Clinics, the UNM Pediatrics Clinic and the UNM LoboCare Clinic (located at the UNM Student Health Center, 2ndFloor, offering same-day and next-day sick-visit services).

Personalized Scheduling
All of the UNM ond UNMH employees and their plan-eligible dependents will receive personalized appointment scheduling when they call and tell us that that they are a UNM or UNMH employee or that they are dependents of a UNM or UNMH employee. If difficulties are experienced getting a timely appointment, call the LoboCare Network line at 272-8481 (mention being a UNM or UNMH employee or dependent thereof).

3. What is the UNM LoboCare Clinic?

The UNM LoboCare Clinic, located on the 2nd Floor of the Student Health Center, offers same-day and next-day sick-visit services, routine and acute (non-emergency) services for adults and children, regardless of which primary care office you use. We have lab and x-ray services and a pharmacy on-site.

Schedule
See sidebar on the left side of this page for the LoboCare Clinic schedule.

Parking
Parking is available behind the Student Health Center (see the clinic front desk for a permit).

4. Is After Hours Care (Non-Emergency) Available?

Emergency Situations
If you think you have a life-threatening health problem, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room.

Nurse Advice Lines
Contact your health plan's nurse advice line if you are not sure what level of health care you need.

Extended Hours Available

If you need to visit a clinic evenings (all ages) or Saturdays (pediatrics only), use one of the following options. Please call the clinic phone number listed to schedule appointments at these locations.

5. What are the Emergency Room Hours?

Pediatric Emergency Room
Children's Hospital of New Mexico at UNM Hospitals offers a Pediatric Emergency Room that is separate from our Adult ER (one entrance for all). The UNM Pediatrics ER is located at 2211 Lomas Blvd. NE, and is open Mon.-Fri. 2 pm- 2 am, Sat. and Sun. 10 am - 2 am.

General Emergency Room
The General ER is located at 2211 Lomas Blvd. NE, and is open 24/7/365 to all ages.

6. How do I choose a Health Care Provider at the UNM HSC?

Please follow this link to read more about choosing a provider.

7. Who will be my doctor?

The “Attending” doctors are board certified in Family and Community Medicine or in Internal Medicine. They are faculty at the School of Medicine. Their time is spent seeing patient in clinic, teaching medical students, interns and resident physicians and doing research. The Resident physicians take care of patients under the close supervision of the Attending physicians.

8. What is a Resident?

Resident doctors have finished medical school, and are doing more training in the area of their choice. They work under the supervision of an attending physician.

9. What is a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have earned graduate degrees in nursing, and can care for most common medical problems.

10. What is a Physician’s Assistant?

A Physician Assistant has special training in medicine. They can care for most common medical problems.

11. Will I see the same doctor each time?

We recommend that you choose one health care provider for your medical needs. This will be your Primary Care Provider (PCP). An attending physician, resident physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant may be your primary care provider. If possible, we want you to see your PCP when you come to the clinic. However, when your PCP is not available, one of the other team providers at our clinic will take care of your medical needs.

12. Are there student doctors?

Medical students work in our clinic. The Attending doctor supervises them when they see patients. Many patients enjoy medical students and are pleased to help with the education of future doctors. Your comfort and well-being is our most important concern. You may choose not to be cared for by a Medical Student.