By Kelly Simonson, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Health Plan of Nevada Medicaid
Kelly Simonson
For over 25 years, UnitedHealthcare Health Plan of Nevada Medicaid has been a proud partner in strengthening health outcomes and promoting equity for all Nevadans. Despite improvements in areas such as reducing teen birth rates and lowering income inequality, Nevada still ranks 42nd in overall health outcomes.
To address this urgent need, UnitedHealthcare Health Plan of Nevada Medicaid has reinvested over $10 million in key community priorities, focusing on housing, access to care, health equity, and social determinants of health.
INVESTING IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Affordable housing is a critical factor in overall well-being. Eighty-six percent of extremely low-income renters are severely cost-burdened, often sacrificing necessities like food and healthcare to pay rent. To combat this, UnitedHealthcare Health Plan of Nevada Medicaid is partnering with local organizations to address housing needs including:
- Desert Oasis for an affordable senior housing expansion project, which will provide much-needed housing for low-income seniors.
- Renewing Hope Program to bolster their programs that provides a structured environment for homeless men who want to gain self-sufficiency through employment.
- Life Changes program, which is expanding access to bridge housing and supportive services to improve housing, health, and employment outcomes.
BRIDGING THE GAP IN HEALTHCARE
Nevada faces challenges in healthcare access, ranking 49th out of 50 states in the percentage of adults avoiding care due to cost. UnitedHealthcare Health Plan of Nevada Medicaid is committed to closing these gaps through collaborations with community organizations including:
- Community Health Alliance to support two Health Care Access Specialists that help patients schedule appointments, organize services and support with health resources, education, and enrollment.
- Reno Doula Co-Op, providing scholarships supporting doula training and certifications serving pregnant people in Washoe County.
- Supportiv to launch a pilot program that brings 24/7 online peer support to 85,000 high school students across Clark County. The program matches young people struggling with mental health with peers to create a professionally moderated, judgment-free environment to speak on issues and problems that might be intimidating to talk about with adults.
IMPROVING HEALTH EQUITY
Health equity remains a priority. Black Nevadans experience higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, and HIV infection. Rural and frontier communities face additional barriers to care. UnitedHealthcare Health Plan of Nevada Medicaid collaborates with community organizations to address these disparities including:
- Collaboration Center Foundation, an organization that provides valuable resources and services to individuals and families with disabilities. Collaboration Center Foundation also seeks to enrich the lives of those touched by intellectual, developmental, physical, and learning disabilities by offering resources including but not limited to social interaction, education, and vocational training.
- Hope Christian Health Center to provide equitable access to HIV and STD testing, while addressing stigma around STDs and sexual health among diverse racial and ethnic groups.
- LGBTQIA+ Center of Southern Nevada to support youth-focused affirmative counseling and wellness education for LGBTQIA+ youth and their families.
TACKLING SOCIAL DRIVERS OF HEALTH
Health is more than just medical care—it is about the social and economic factors that impact our lives. That is why we are working to address these social drivers of health through several collaborations including:
- Communities In Schools of Nevada to provide services to students in Clark and Washoe County meant to support their needs to realize their full academic potential, no matter what race, gender, or socioeconomic background.
- Baby’s Bounty to fund a diaper bank in Henderson, NV, providing a much-needed resource center and supplies to families throughout Southern Nevada.
- The Just One Project to create three no-cost markets in Clark County to provide easy access to fresh produce, nutritional advice, and household necessities. In addition to the markets, the donation also supported a mobile pantry to provide fresh groceries to those with little or no access within local food deserts.
UnitedHealthcare Health Plan of Nevada is extremely proud of its efforts in improving health outcomes in Nevada, and we are committed to continuing our work in years to come. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live a healthy life and we are collaborating tirelessly with community partners to make that a reality. For more information, visit their website.
Kelly Simonson is CEO of UnitedHealthcare Health Plan of Nevada Medicaid, a managed care organization which administers healthcare benefits for Nevada Medicaid and Nevada Check Up beneficiaries.
