223530 Access to Healthcare Network: A Model Program to Expand Health Care Access to the Uninsured and Underinsured

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 3:10 PM - 3:30 PM

John Packham, PhD , School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV
Sherri Rice , Executive Director, Access to Healthcare Network, Reno, NV
Michelle Kling, MS, RN , Kling Consulting, Reno, NV
This session will present an innovative solution to increasing access to primary and specialty health care for uninsured and under-insured Nevada residents who do not qualify for Medicaid, State Children's Health Insurance Program or employer sponsored insurance. As the first non-profit medical discount plan in the nation, AHN is not an insurance program. This community-based partnership connects area hospitals, local and state government and community agencies with employers, health care providers and the working un/under-insured. This is a unique and comprehensive approach to a complex problem, which coordinates and leverages the public and private resources already expended on healthcare. The presentation will provide an overview of the program's evolution, membership trends, strengths and limitations. The presentation will highlight features of a novel model that may be replicated by other communities. AHN members receive comprehensive services, including medical, dental, vision and other ancillary services. Members are required to pay a modest monthly membership fee to offset costs. Members pay cash at the time of service for substantially discounted medical services and products from providers. Patients below the established income criteria qualify for assistance from the Patient Care Fund, a core component of the program. This special fund was established to subsidize the fees for members who otherwise cannot pay cash at the time of service. Public and private contributors donate funds. Access to Healthcare Network is operated as a non-profit corporation. The guiding philosophy of this program is based on a model of shared responsibility and community partnership.

Learning Areas:
Administration, management, leadership
Provision of health care to the public

Learning Objectives:
Describe a model program that increases access to health care for the uninsured and underinsured residents in Nevada

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked with the program for 5 years. I also have provided program evaluation services as a paid consultant.
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
Access to Healthcare Networkrok program evaluation Advisory Committee/Board and Consultant

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4279.0: Access to Care II