AHN News | November 2019
Your monthly news & updates from AHN!
What you need to know...
November is American Diabetes Month
  • Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. One in 10 Americans have diabetes — that’s more than 30 million people. And another 84 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
  • Depending on your age, weight, and other factors, you may be at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The good news is that making healthy changes can greatly lower your risk. To help prevent type 2 diabetes:
  • Watch your weight
  • Eat healthy
  • Get more physical activity
Diabetes Self-Management Education Program
In Nevada alone, more than 280,000 adults (12.4% of the adult population) live with diabetes and face its devastating consequences every day. When left untreated, diabetes can lead to other potential health complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and nerve damage.

Access to Healthcare Network offers Diabetes Self-Management Education through interactive workshops. Participants receive:
  • One-on-one consultation and comprehensive assessment with a Registered Dietitian
  • Personalized education plan focused on participant identified goals
  • Six group education classes, including nutrition education and cooking demonstrations
  • Follow-up assessment and access to additional resources and support as needed
*NEW at AHN*
Access to Health Podcast
Hosted by Sherri Rice, CEO
Genetic Testing Fraud Increasing Across Nevada
Fraudulent companies have been contacting Medicare beneficiaries offering "free" genetic testing. These tests can also be referred to as DNA screenings, cancer screenings or hereditary testing and company representatives go door-to-door or visit senior centers, senior housing, veterans events, health fairs, and other locations where people gather to convince people to let them take a cheek swab for testing. 

“These companies can steal people’s medical identity and falsely bill Medicare, draining the system of needed funds. Tests ordered under these circumstances are unnecessary and could lead to confusion about someone’s health condition,” said Kim Harney-Moore, Director of the Nevada Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). 

It is advised for individuals to be suspicious of anyone who offers free genetic testing and requests their Medicare number.
Nevada Health Link - Open Enrollment NOW through DECEMBER 15
If your employer does not offer healthcare and you do not qualify for Medicaid, you can view available health plans now. Shop and apply for comprehensive, Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant, health and dental plans in one convenient location through Nevada Health Link, Nevada’s online health insurance exchange. Open enrollment is happening NOW through December 15.

You can learn more by calling 1-800-547-2927, emailing CustomerServiceNVHL@exchange.nv.gov , or visit the link below.
Meet Our Team - Trevor Rice, COO
T revor Rice has been a part of AHN for 13 years and served as Chief Operating Officer for the past 5 years. Rice is passionate about our mission here at AHN and enjoys helping make a difference in those we serve.

“I wanted to work for an organization that was committed to the health and well-being of our community and wasn’t afraid to take a chance and do something different, something innovative, to address the challenges we currently face in healthcare,” said Rice.

Rice has more than 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry in areas such as operations, quality management, business development, provider relations, and systems of care. At AHN, he specializes in the development of care coordination, care management, and health education programs designed to improve patient outcomes, reduce health expenditures, and improve healthcare quality measures. Additionally, Rice is completing a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Penn State University.

“It has been a tremendous two and a half years working full time, taking care of a wonderful family, and going to school that has allowed me to grow immeasurably as a professional, as a leader, and as a human being,” said Rice. “My utmost hope is the knowledge, experience, and skill set that I have gained going through this program can be used to further the mission of AHN and further our impact on the community we serve.”

Congratulations to Trevor Rice on his (almost) graduation and his hard work to add even more value to what we do here at AHN!
Access to Healthcare Marches in Las Vegas PRIDE Parade
We were honored with the privilege to walk in this year's Las Vegas PRIDE Parade and be a vendor at the PRIDE Festival.

AHN was one of an estimated 148 fabulous entries marching this year. It was an amazing experience to see our community and other agencies come together to show our support. We cannot wait to participate again next year!
National Healthcare News
Healthgrades Releases 2020 Analysis of Top Performing Hospitals
The annual report featured hospitals from the nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide that were evaluated based on clinical outcomes across 32 procedures and conditions. The Healthgrades' 2020 Specialty Excellence Award ranks hospitals that are found to be in the top 10% in key specialties such as cardiac surgery, stroke care, joint replacement and critical care. Also released last week was the 2020 Report to the Nation that provides consumers with the information of hospital quality finding that patients treated at hospitals receiving a 5-star rating have a 49-percent lower risk of dying and a 59-percent lower risk of experiencing one or more complications during their stay.
ACA's Silver Plan Premiums to Drop 4 Percent; Number of Plans Increase
CMS has announced that premiums for popular marketplace silver plans on HealthCare.gov will decline for the second year in a row with a drop on average of 4 percent next year. The Administration also announced that 20 additional insurance plans will be available when enrollment opens next week for 2020 health plans and only 12 percent of enrollees will live in a county with one insurer, down from 20 percent this year. The average premium for the benchmark plan will drop from $406 to $388 in states relying on the federal enrollment platform and about two-thirds of enrollees that receive subsidies - about 87 percent of the market - will pay less than $75 per month. CMS did point out that for those whose earnings are too high to receive subsidies, more than a third will pay over $500 per month in premiums and another third will pay between $300 and $500. 
Access to Healthcare Network is a registered 501(c)3 Nonprofit
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