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Nearly 500 new HIV cases diagnosed in Clark County last year
More than 11,000 people in Clark County are living with HIV, and 488 were newly diagnosed in 2022, according to the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD). In 2019, the most recent year for reliable data, Nevada ranked 5th in the U.S. for new HIV diagnoses, and Clark County was identified as one of the 48 […]
As Medicare Advantage market share grows, so does criticism of companies selling the plans
The enrollment period for Medicare ends on Dec. 7 — and many people across the nation are deciding about supplementing Medicare with Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Advantage plans, which are plans offered through private insurer companies that the federal government contracts with, are advertised as a solution to original Medicare’s limited scope in coverage, but have […]
Rural Nevadans pay thousands more than urban Nevadans for health insurance
As open enrollment continues for health insurance, rural Nevadans pay thousands more in premiums each year than their urban counterparts, according to data compiled by the Nevada Department of Insurance (DOI) that allows residents to compare rates. A 50-year-old Pershing County resident who doesn’t qualify for a federal subsidy would pay a $778 per month […]
State opens up public comment period on public health insurance option
A 30-day public comment period began this week on the state’s application for a federal waiver to create a public option for health insurance. The public comment period, which started Monday and runs through Dec. 20, is the first formal step in seeking approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the […]
Cancer screening rate is ‘far too low’ in Nevada, says American Lung Association report
Only 1.4% of people who are at high risk of lung cancer in Nevada get a screening for the disease, which is “far too low” according to the 2023 “State of Lung Cancer” report by the American Lung Association in Nevada released earlier this week. The state ranked 47th nationally for lung cancer screenings. Cancer […]
Nevada to resume procedural Medicaid disenrollments in January
Nevada Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford in his capacity as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus joined with national civil rights and health equity organizations to call on states to stop disenrolling people from Medicaid for procedural reasons this week. Medicaid “unwinding” began in June in Nevada with the end of pandemic-era requirements that states continue […]
Industry group joins governor in dissing state public option, physicians’ group pushes back
In an ongoing battle to implement a public health care option in Nevada, an organization allied with the insurance and health care industries released a report Monday arguing the public option would exacerbate the state’s provider shortage and reduce access to care. An arm of Partnership for America’s Health Care Future (PAHCF), a group that […]
Nevada would get $138 million for child care under Biden’s request to Congress
The Biden administration’s request for $16 billion in child care funding would include $138 million for Nevada, helping an estimated 960 service providers and 102,300 children, according to a White House announcement. The White House intends for the funding to be a one-year continuation of stabilization funds which helped keep child care programs afloat throughout […]
No relief in sight for Nevadans paying high auto insurance rates
The rising cost of car insurance is hitting Nevadans hard, and neither the insurance industry, consumer advocates, nor state government officials expect relief to come any time soon. The insurance industry attributes the increased premiums rising costs for car parts and repairs, theft, labor shortages, and risky driving post-pandemic. Some consumer advocates note that companies […]
Open enrollment begins, coming off record year for health exchange participation
Open enrollment for individual health insurance plans started on Nov. 1 and runs through January 15, 2024, with a continuation of more generous eligibility requirements and enhanced subsidies that helped drive the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange to record enrollment last year. Consumers can analyze and compare plans offered on the exchange at NevadaHealthLink.com. The […]
Systemic racism and poverty are hurting Nevadans’ health, state report finds
Systemic racism, lack of affordable housing, limited access to healthy food, and hard-to-get medical services are some of the biggest barriers for Nevadans to be healthy, according to a report released this month by the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH). The State Health Assessment notes that as Nevada’s population becomes increasingly diverse […]
State schedules public webinar on high auto insurance rates
The Nevada Division of Insurance will host a live webinar to discuss the rising costs of car insurance on November 1, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The event is open to the public. Car insurance rates are rising nationally — in the last year alone auto insurance increased by 18.9%, according to the U.S. Bureau […]