OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The ongoing dispute between a major Nebraska health insurer and one of the state’s biggest medical networks is driving patients to other doctors.

Hospitals and clinics that aren’t affiliated with the Catholic Health Initiatives network have seen an influx of patients since CHI Health’s contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska expired Sept. 1.

The expired contract covered hospitals across Nebraska and doctors’ offices in Omaha.

Surgeries at Methodist Hospital and Methodist Women’s Hospital are up 18 percent to 20 percent since Sept. 1.

Discharges from the Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine — Bellevue were up 8 percent in the quarter that ended Sept. 30.

Both the Methodist Physicians and Nebraska Medicine networks of doctors’ offices reported a surge in new patients.