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Today, Renown Health announced the appointment of William “Bill” Plauth, MD, MMM, CPE as Chief Medical Officer for Renown Health, effective April 3, 2023. “I am excited to have Dr. Plauth join our team," said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President & CEO of Renown Health. “Dr. Plauth is a distinguished physician with over 30 years of experience. Dr. Plauth’s extensive commitment to service is in alignment with our mission, vision, and values. He is a goal-oriented, collaborative executive who brings a depth of experience to Renown Health and to our community. He inspires others with his intelligence and proven abilities to engage others in advancing clinical quality and performance. I look forward to the strides our health system will make in helping people live better and healthier lives under his leadership.” In his role as Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Plauth will be responsible for continuous quality improvement, effective clinical resource management and serve as a liaison for organized medical staff activities. He will partner with nursing leadership to actively support performance improvement, risk management, and efficient resource utilization linked to evidence-based medicine. He will listen and foster a close relationship between and among physicians, management, and clinical staff. As CMO, Dr. Plauth will provide expertise, coordination, and leadership in support of elected medical staff leaders and partner with UNR Med leadership to ensure a positive training environment across Renown Health. “As a physician, I have always been humbled by the trust our patients and their families invest in all of us as a healthcare team,” says Bill Plauth, MD. “Over the years, to fulfill that trust, I have enjoyed engaging with my colleagues across clinical teams to adopt innovative approaches that respect those who do the work and to promote ease of practice. Such collaboration makes it possible for us to provide top-notch, compassionate care that addresses our patients' unique challenges and to improve their health and quality of life. At the end of the day, it is the people that make the difference.” Dr. Plauth adds, “I am delighted to join Renown Health, which as a not-for-profit, charitable health care organization has a long history of compassionate service. I look forward to working with my new medical, nursing, and administrative colleagues as we fulfill our mission of making a genuine difference in the health and wellbeing of the people and communities we serve.” Renown Health has more than 7,200 employees and serves Northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and Northeast California. The system includes Renown Regional Medical Center, Renown South Meadows Medical Center, Renown Rehabilitation Hospital and Renown Children’s Hospital. Renown also has over 50 medical group, urgent care, and outpatient imaging practices. Hometown Health is the insurance division of Renown Health and is northern Nevada’s largest local, not-for- profit health insurance company that provides wide-ranging medical coverage. Since 2014, Dr. Plauth has provided clinical leadership at Centura Health (CO), first serving as Chief Medical Officer at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, CO, and then for the last four years as Chief Medical Officer for Centura Penrose & St. Francis Hospitals in Colorado Springs. He was responsible for clinical quality, high reliability patient safety initiatives, process improvement, pharmacy, care management, infection control and medical staff services. Formerly, Dr. Plauth served for fourteen years with CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe, NM, first as a hospitalist and then with concurrent roles that included Chief of Staff; Medical Director, Clinical Informatics; Medical Director, Palliative Care and Acting Chief Medical Officer for Quality and Medical Staff Affairs. Board certified in both Internal Medicine and Hospice & Palliative Care, Dr. Plauth is a leader in quality improvement, patient safety and clinical informatics. He has also served as a medical director of a Long-Term Care and Skilled Nursing Center. Dr. Plauth received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, and his Medical Doctorate from Emory University in Atlanta with a sub-internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. He completed his internship and residency at University of California San Francisco, where he also served as Chief Resident. In the most recent U.S. News and World Report Best Hospital Rankings, Renown Regional Medical Center is named #1 in the State of Nevada. No other hospital in Nevada earned recognition from U.S. News. About Renown Health Renown Health is Nevada’s largest, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination, and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. To join the Renown Health team, visit www.renown.org/careers.

Read More About William 'Bill' Plauth, MD, MMM, CPE Appointed Chief Medical Officer for Renown Health

Renown's Medications to Go program offers time-savings and convenience for patients and their families. It can be difficult leaving the hospital after a stay. Learning and understanding detailed care instructions and settling in to a new routine, can be an overwhelming experience for both patients and their caregivers. Plus, there’s the added inconvenience of visiting the pharmacy to pick up prescribed medications.  Because it is so inconvenient, one-third of these prescriptions never reach the patient, and remain in a basket at the pharmacy, awaiting pick-up. Because the patient never takes their medication, recovery time can take longer, and in some cases, the patient goes without the needed medications and may be readmitted to the hospital.   To make the process more convenient for patients and their families, Renown Pharmacy now offers a new Medications to Go program.  Patients can now receive Medications to Go at Renown hospitals. Opting in when they arrive, and the day they leave, their medication will be hand-delivered to them in their room by a member of Renown’s pharmacy team, along with medication counseling by a Renown pharmacist. There is no additional cost for patients to use this service aside from their normal medication copays. “Medications to Go is another example of how we are using new approaches to deliver an excellent patient and customer experience, and helping people choose, access, experience and prefer Renown Health providers and hospitals,” said Tony Slonim, MD, DrPH, president and CEO of Renown. “We want to help our patients on their journey to health and wellness.”  The Renown Pharmacy team has been recognized for several national best practice programs. A similar pilot program showed a 25 percent reduction in hospital readmission rates for patients with Medicaid insurance, emphasizing the need for the service for all patients at all Renown hospital locations. Since June 1, 2020, Medications to Go has been available to every patient at Renown Regional Medical Center, Renown South Meadows Medical Center and Renown Rehabilitation Hospital. “We’ve filled more than 1,600 prescriptions through the program to date,” said Adam Porath, Doctor of Pharmacy, and Renown’s interim director. “Patients are very happy – especially new moms and parents of our youngest patients at Renown Children’s Hospital.”      About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally owned and governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown’s institute model addresses social determinants of health and includes: Child Health, Behavioral Health & Addiction, Healthy Aging and Health Innovation. Clinical institutes include: Cancer, Heart and Vascular Heath, Neurosciences and Robotic Surgery. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the world’s largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project®. For more information, visit renown.org.

Read More About Renown Pharmacy Introduces New Program: Medications to Go

Kerry Kelly, MPH has joined Renown Health as Community Health Program Manager. Ms. Kelly comes to Renown from the Food Bank of Northern Nevada where she served as Director of Programs and Community Engagement. She had previously been employed as a Medical Practice Supervisor with Renown Children’s, responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of three ambulatory pediatrics medical practices. With her extensive background in public health and community engagement, Kerry brings a wealth of experience to the role of Community Health Program Manager. Ms. Kelly will play a pivotal role in fostering Community Benefit health initiatives that address northern Nevada’s most pressing health needs, reduce health disparities, promote community wellness, and improve access to care for vulnerable populations. “We are excited to welcome Kerry as our new Community Health Program Manager,” said Suzanne Bharati Hendery, MA, APR, Chief Communications & Customer Officer. “Community is at the center of our mission, and we embrace our commitment to make a genuine difference in creating a healthier Nevada for all. Kerry has a passion for community health and a proven track record in driving initiatives that promote health equity, increase insurance coverage, and enhance health outcomes. The vital role that Renown Health plays as the only local, not-for-profit, charitable healthcare network in Reno will be strengthened by her commitment. We look forward to the innovative strategies and partnerships she will bring to further enhance the health of the community we serve.” Kerry completed her Master’s of Public Health with an emphasis in Community Health Education at San José State University and her BA in Psychology, Community Health Science at the University of Nevada, Reno. Kerry will report directly to Sierra Kelly Martinez, MPH, Director of the Customer Engagement Center. Renown Health has long-standing commitment to the community than spans more than 160 years. This commitment has grown and evolved through significant thought and care in considering our community’s most pressing health needs. One way this is done is through conducting a periodic, comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Through the CHNA process, Renown Health identifies the greatest health needs, and ensures resources are appropriately directed toward outreach, prevention, education, and wellness opportunities where the greatest impact can be realized. For more information on the most current Community Health Needs Assessment, visit renown.org/About/Community-Commitment/Community-Health-Needs-Assessment. Renown Health also funds and supports NevadaTomorrow.org, a website that can be accessed free of charge, and provides residents with up-to-date sources of quality-of-life data (such as health and socio-economic information), key reports that describe our community’s current quality of life needs, promising practices to improve people’s overall quality of life, and quality of life improvement efforts in our community. Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated health care network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,200 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination, and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health

Read More About Kerry Kelly, MPH Selected as Community Health Program Manager for Renown

Renown Health and University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med)leadership provided an informational update to the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents at its March 5 meeting on the due diligence process undertaken by both organizations to explore an intent to affiliate that would lead to the first fully integrated health system in northern Nevada. University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval; UNR Med Dean Thomas L. Schwenk, M.D. and Renown Health President and CEO Anthony Slonim, M.D., DrPH, FACHE, discussed the near-final Affiliation Agreement, which details the guiding principles of the proposed partnership and how the integration of clinical services, education and research will operate, including the purpose, structure, governance, funds flow, joint leadership roles, faculty positions, operational management, mission and culture. The final agreement will require Renown Health Board and NSHE Board of Regent approval. Like many health care systems and medical schools across the nation, Renown Health and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine have collaborated for decades to advance a mutual commitment to improving the health of the community. Since mid-2020, the organizations have been exploring formalizing a high-level clinical integration. In September 2020, the NSHE Board of Regents unanimously endorsed a Letter of Intent between the two organizations, which advanced a period of due diligence to further define the relationship. The partnership is designed to enhance Nevada’s medical education system, expand clinical research capacity in northern Nevada and create a world-class integrated health system that improves access to patient care for all and achieves a vision of a healthy Nevada. Over the last five decades, UNR Med has educated more than 3,900 physicians with over 30% percent practicing in Nevada, increasing access to care for Nevadans across the state. Equally rooted in the community, Renown’s long legacy of service started in 1862 as a county hospital, Washoe Medical Center. Now, Renown Health serves the community by providing care through hospitals, outpatient medical offices, institutes and an insurance plan, Hometown Health.     About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally owned and governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown’s institute model addresses social determinants of health and includes: Child Health, Behavioral Health & Addiction, Healthy Aging and Health Innovation. Clinical institutes include: Cancer, Heart and Vascular Heath, Neurosciences and Robotic Surgery. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the world’s largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project®. For more information, visit renown.org. About University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Nevada’s first public medical school, is a community-based, research-intensive medical school with a statewide vision for a healthy Nevada. Since 1969, UNR Med has trained more than 3,900 students, residents and fellows. UNR Med continues to improve the health and well-being of all Nevadans and their communities through excellence in student education, postgraduate training and clinical care, research with local, national and global impact and a culture of diversity and inclusion. For more information, visit med.unr.edu.Media Contact for UNR Med: Julie Ardito, APRM: 775-846-8445E: jardito@med.unr.edu

Read More About Renown and University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Affiliation Update

Renown Health team recognized nationally for excellence in health care communications and outreach. Each year, Ragan Communications and PR Daily celebrate the most successful teams in the communication, public relations, marketing and employee wellbeing industries. As the leading voice in organizational communications – both internal and external – Ragan Communications recognizes the industry’s best communications teams. This prestigious award recognizes professional excellence while inspiring and engaging other current and future communicators regarding best practices. This year, Ragan Communications and PR Daily have selected the Marketing, Communications, Patient Experience and Community Outreach Team for Renown Health as “Communications Team of the Year.” In selecting Renown Health for this honor, Ragan judges noted that Renown Health earned its spot as a “Communications Team of the Year” for their communications response to the COVID-19 pandemic and for engaging the community to build a high-quality, trusted and desired health care experience, brand and reputation. Specifically the judged noted that Renown “implemented a Health Incident Command Structure to serve the community, organizing communications resources to mitigate, prepare, respond, communicate and recover from the COVID-19 outbreak and enhancing Renown ‘s capacity to provide access to care. The Renown team also implemented a plan to communicate safety, and prevention messaging, creating and distributing timely, accurate, and relevant communications customized to audience needs to reduce anxiety and maintain Renown’s leadership position for patient safety.” Judges also noted the success of the inspirational brand and messages of the “Fight the Good Fight” campaign, which helped to inspire and motivate a community through a difficult time. Through the pandemic, the Communications team also successfully implemented a new website, renown.org. Over 2.2 million people a year now visit the site to find a doctor by reading honest reviews from certified patients for Renown Medical Group providers, enroll for Hometown Health insurance benefits or seek health information or care. The Renown Health Marketing, Communications, Patient Experience and Community Outreach Team is led by Suzanne Hendery, Cristal Herrera, Emily MacMillan, Whitney Hansen and Annie Zucker and represent professionals with research, digital, web, communications, marketing, outreach, customer service and relationship-building expertise. The team was selected as one of three health care organizations and amid a flood of impressive entrants from all industries including Twitter and 3M. Commenting on the team, Thomas Graf, MD, FAAFP, CEO of Renown Health said, “We are very proud that Renown Health has been honored for excellence in communications. Improving the health and wellness of an entire population of people is a huge task- and it takes all of us, working together, to accomplish great things. We focus on preventing illnesses, and we benefit from a team of professional communicators who believe in- and demonstrate our mission- to keep people healthy, to make healthcare more accessible and affordable, and to achieve the vision of a healthy Nevada.” Renown Health is hiring key roles to support the health and well-being of our community, and encourages those with a passion for service to join the Renown family to Fight the Good Fight. Apply at careers.renown.org. About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the world’s largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project®.

Read More About Renown Home to "Communications Team of the Year"

Nurse practitioners will come to your home to discuss your needs, develop a personalized plan, and align with your team to ensure excellent health care through at-home Renown Palliative Care.  Nos complace anunciar que ahora ofrecemos servicios de interpretación en español para nuestro cuidado paliativo a domicilio. Renown Health, the only Level II Trauma Center in northern Nevada, and the leader in offering the most innovative services for critically ill adults and children is also home to a Palliative Care team dedicated to providing compassionate, specialized care for individuals and families facing the challenges of serious illness. “As Reno’s only not-for-profit health care organization we are constantly investing in better care and essential services for our community. Our goal is to keep care local, and to enhance the quality of life for patients and their families,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President & CEO for Renown Health. “Empowering people with serious illnesses to receive advanced care planning in the comfort of their homes helps fuel a spirit of independence and eliminates visits to the hospital or the emergency room. This in-home Palliative Care program reflects Renown’s commitment to serving the needs of our community and ensuring patients with serious illnesses have convenient access to the clinical expertise they need, day and night.” “At Renown Health, our multidisciplinary Palliative Care team, led by physicians and nurse practitioners, work collaboratively to provide clinical support and compassionate guidance for patients with chronic and life-limiting illnesses,” says Dr. Jonathan Theriot, a specialist in Palliative Care with Renown Medical Group and a faculty member of University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. “We offer a consultative service that can be used at any time during a person’s illness. People can continue to see their physicians and receive treatment (such as chemotherapy or dialysis) while on service. Our nurse practitioners will come to the home to discuss the person’s individual needs and concerns and develop a personalized health care plan. We work closely with other physicians and care teams such as primary care, oncology, and home health to align and ensure the best care possible. We are available 24/7 to answer questions. Our only goal is to support the patient and their family.”  Key features of the Renown Palliative Care program include: Comprehensive Symptom Management: Focused on alleviating pain, nausea, fatigue, and other side effects and symptoms to ensure patient comfort. Emotional and Psychological Support: Provide counseling and support services to help patients and their families cope with the emotional challenges of serious illness. Spiritual Care: Offer resources and support for patients to explore spiritual concerns and a sense of well-being. Coordination of Care: Ensure seamless communications, alignment, and collaboration between healthcare clinicians on a unified care plan tailored to each patient’s needs. Support for Families: Provide education, respire care, and support services to help families navigate the complexities of caregiving for a person with a serious and life-limiting illness.  When is the time right for Palliative Care?  New diagnosis of chronic or life-limiting serious illness; Need for patient and caregiver support regarding medical decision-making; Difficult physical or emotional symptoms that impact daily life and routines; Frequent hospitalizations or Emergency Room visits; Uncertainty regarding health care options and available resources; Questions about end-of-life care; Increased difficulty completing activities of daily living. What services can Palliative Care provide? Advance care planning; Serious illness conversations; Symptom management through collaboration with your primary physician or medical provider; Reducing stress and anxiety; POLST and DNR completion; Durable medical equipment including assessment for walkers, wheelchairs, and greater mobility.  Does Insurance or Medicare/Medicaid pay for Palliative Care at home? Financial coverage for at-home palliative care services varies by provider and insurance plan. Medicare and Medicaid cover palliative care patient visits by a physician or advanced practice nurse. Some Medicare Advantage and health insurance plans offer coverage for palliative care visits and services, but specifics vary by plan. For specific guidance, contact your employer or health plan to determine coverage details and length of coverage including copays, out-of-pocket costs, and other charges for palliative care. Does Renown offer at-home Palliative Care for people who speak Spanish? "Nos complace anunciar que ahora ofrecemos servicios de interpretación en español para nuestro cuidado paliativo a domicilio," dice Monica Gonzalez-Ruesga, Community Liaison, Renown Home Health. "Estamos dedicados a brindar cuidado de alta calidad y satisfacer las necesidades lingüísticas y culturales de nuestra comunidad." Renown utiliza un servicio de interpretación telefónica en vivo para los pacientes que hablan español. Can I self-refer to the Renown Palliative Care team? Yes. Self- and physician referrals are both accepted Mon-Fri 8AM-4:30PM at 775-982-2828. More information on the Renown at-home Palliative Care program is available at renown.org/Health-Services/Palliative-and-Supportive-Care. For media interviews with Dr. Jonathan Theriot, Monica Gonzalez-Ruesga or a member of the Palliative Care team, contact news@renown.org.   About Renown Health  Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated health care network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,500 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination, and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center for adults and children, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. For more information, visit renown.org.

Read More About Serious Illness Care – Delivered Directly to Your Home by Renown Health

The pandemic has changed the way we live and work. The world is changing, health care has changed and Renown is changing with it. Today, after a comprehensive review, leaders took steps to align the size of Renown’s work force with current patient care volumes. Reductions affected 166 of Renown’s 7,200 employees. A majority of the positions affected are in management and administration. Employees impacted by today’s decision will receive severance pay and full benefits consistent with Renown policy. In addition, there is a hold on hiring 176 employment positions until further notice. The actions taken today are one part of a larger plan to align to the new health care environment. Renown has implemented new models of care to add value, reduce costs, and to help more people receive the health care they need. Renown Health continues to recruit for clinical roles and those areas that support direct patient care.     About Renown Health Renown Health is a locally governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Renown is one of the region’s largest private employers with a workforce of more than 7,000. It comprises three acute care hospitals, the region’s only children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, the area’s most comprehensive medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown has a long tradition and commitment to improving the care and the health of our community. For more information, visit renown.org.

Read More About Renown Realigns to New Healthcare Environment

Annual Election Period for Medicare beneficiaries to enroll or change health insurance Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 It only happens once a year – more than half a million Medicare beneficiaries in Nevada get to decide during the Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, if a Medicare Advantage plan is best for their medical needs. Residents of Washoe, Carson City, Clark and Nye counties have the opportunity to enroll in one of the plans offered by Senior Care Plus®, a Medicare Advantage Plan from Renown’s Hometown Health, which offers $0 premium plans with a variety of benefits, including worldwide emergency care, low prescription drug costs and is the only Medicare Advantage plan accepted by Renown Medical Group physicians, and offering full access to the Renown Health hospital network named “Best in Nevada” by US News & World Report for the last two years. “As the only not-for-profit health plan in northern Nevada, Senior Care Plus® is more than just a Medicare Advantage Plan; we are your partner for better health and wellbeing,” says Bethany Sexton, CEO of Hometown Health. “We regularly ask our members how we can help them in their journey to health and wellness, and our team works throughout the year to make continuous improvements to our plans. That’s why we are excited to announce new cost-saving health benefits that will be included in the 2023 Senior Care Plus® Medicare Advantage Plan." For 2023, Senior Care Plus® members will enjoy access to Renown physicians, services, and hospitals as well as new benefits including comprehensive dental services, free telemedicine visits for dermatology needs, free annual hearing exams and low-cost hearing aids and home medical equipment including blood sugar test strips, oxygen equipment and supplies, CPAP sleep apnea machines and home infusion supplies. There’s also a program that rewards Senior Plus® Medicare Advantage members for participating in healthy activities. During a time where inflation is impacting families across the country, reducing out-of-pocket expenses is just one of the ways Senior Care Plus® is encouraging their Medicare members to continue seeking the quality medical care they need and deserve. CJ Bawden, Senior Director of Government Programs at Hometown Health, elaborates on what sets Senior Care Plus apart from other Medicare Advantage Plans on the market, “At Senior Care Plus®, we are member obsessed. Annual Enrollment time can be a stressful time for those navigating the Medicare programs available to them. What makes Senior Care Plus different from other programs is that we are local, just like our members. Customer support and resources are right here in our community,” said Bawden. “We are also pleased to have a Renown Medical Group practice and medical providers devoted exclusively to offering expert care to Senior Care Plus® Medicare Advantage members at Del Monte Lane in Reno, adjacent to the Rancharrah complex,” says Dr. Derek Beenfeldt, Medical Director, Hometown Health. “Senior Care Plus members who choose to make Renown Medical Group - Senior Care - Del Monte their primary care facility enjoy same-day appointment access; longer appointment times; geriatric-focused providers and on-site Personal Assistants." Medicare beneficiaries and Medicare eligible seniors can prepare for the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period by visiting medicare.gov. This website, operated by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), allows beneficiaries to compare health and drug plans so they can make an informed decision about their coverage. Prospective members can also take advantage of Senior Care Plus specific resources like free educational seminars or a one-on-one in-person meeting with an Enrollment Specialist, who can assist members in completing paperwork and ensuring you have the right medical coverage in place, for calendar year 2023. Questions are answered with live-person telephone hours between 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday at toll free number at 800-336-0123 or local number at 775-982-3232. Informacion en espanol at 775-982-3242, TTY Relay Service 711. For details about Senior Care Plus® benefits or Medicare’s Annual Election Period, visit SeniorCarePlus.com or call 775-982-3158. About Hometown Health Established in 1988, Hometown Health is northern Nevada’s only locally-owned, not-for-profit health insurance company. Providing wide-ranging medical coverage and great service to members, Hometown Health represents a philosophy of health care that emphasizes active partnerships between members and physicians. Hometown Health values prevention as a key component of comprehensive care - reducing the risks of illness and helping to treat small problems before they can become more severe. Hometown Health offers a number of insurance products including HMO, PPO, HSA, Dental, Vision, Individual and Family, and Senior Care Plus, northern Nevada’s first Medicare Advantage Plan. For more information, call 775-982-3000 or visit hometownhealth.com. About Renown Health Renown Health is Nevada’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the world’s largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project®.

Read More About Medicare’s Annual Election Period Begins Oct. 15

Need Also Exists for Handmade Gowns and Surgical Caps  Renown caregivers are grateful for the community’s love and enthusiasm for sewing masks, gowns and surgical caps. We continue to need these items and appreciate your support. Masks for Patient Visitors: We are requesting that community members sew masks for loved ones visiting patients at Renown Regional Medical Center and Renown South Meadows Medical Center. All patterns and cotton or cotton-blends are welcome. Isolation Gowns: For community crafted isolation gowns, please use the Renown-approved pattern and instructions. Bouffant (Surgical Caps): The pattern we are using for community-crafted Bouffants is available here. Donations are welcome at our drive-thru, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., located in the valet area of Tahoe Tower at Renown Regional Medical Center. All handcrafted masks, gowns and surgical caps will be laundered and sanitized before being distributed. We are so grateful for our community’s support during these unprecedented times. To address the many generous offers of assistance, we have compiled this information and hope you find it helpful. https://www.renown.org/donations-covid-19/.   ###   About Renown Health Renown Health is a locally governed and locally owned, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Renown is one of the region’s largest private employers with a workforce of more than 7,000. It comprises three acute care hospitals, a rehabilitation hospital, the area’s most comprehensive medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest and only locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown has a long tradition and commitment to continually improve the care and the health of our community. For more information, visit renown.org

Read More About Renown Seeks Handcrafted Mask for Hospital Visitors

Burning Man is an annual event inspired by the values reflected in the Ten Principles and united in the pursuit of a more creative and connected existence in the world. As over 70,000 congregate this week, between Aug. 27 to Sept. 4, in the high altitudes of the hot and windy Black Rock Desert, Renown Health’s emergency and clinical care teams are ready to care for Burners who may find themselves ill and in need of additional urgent, emergent care or hospitalization. This year, people from across the world are expected to make the journey in RVs and cars brimming with tents, food, water, artwork, and costumes, temporarily turning Black Rock into the state’s third largest city. “The Burning Man Project has done an excellent job preparing participants to have a safe, healthy, and wonderful time building Black Rock City and living on the playa for nine days to nurture the distinctive culture emerging from that experience. However, bringing over 70,000 people together in a high altitude, desert environment with limited access to water, food, and sanitary conditions- always presents a challenge,” says Brian Erling, MD, MBA, president and CEO of Renown Health and an experienced emergency medicine physician. “Having excellent care on the playa and plans in place back here in Reno helps to mitigate that risk and ensure the health and safety of all participants.” “We welcome every Burner to northern Nevada,” says Bret Frey, MD, the board-certified emergency medicine physician who heads up the largest Emergency Department at Renown Regional Medical Center; which has the highest-level trauma center for 100,000 miles, located in Reno, NV. Dr. Frey has 23 years of experience in the medical field, and 23 years of experience treating people who have experienced Burning Man. “Burning Man is a fascinating event, and most people have a great time. However, if things go wrong, they are fortunate to have the BlackRock City Emergency Services Department, 24/7, to help. Back here in Reno, we serve as their ‘back up,’ providing care as needed, for the ill and injured and supporting clinical teams when they’re feeling overwhelmed.” Renown Health is home to three 24/7 Emergency Rooms that provide the highest level of emergency and trauma care in the region: Renown Regional Medical Center is the only Level II Trauma Center between Sacramento and Salt Lake City. Located near downtown Reno, this Emergency Room has several helipads and ambulance banks for patients requiring emergency and trauma care. Renown Children’s Hospital at Renown Regional Medical Center is home to the only Pediatric Emergency Room  in the region designed just for kids. This location is staffed by pediatric specialists and provides child-sized equipment and family-friendly areas. Renown South Meadows Medical Center includes South Reno’s first 24/7 Emergency Room. Located just off I580, this location is designed to treat patients who need immediate attention for emergencies.  These locations are designed to assess and care for emergency situations, including: Heart attack symptoms Stroke symptoms Broken bones Shortness of breath Seizures Severe bleeding Head injuries Chest pains Severe pain Venomous stings and bite All of Renown’s emergency rooms are staffed by Northern Nevada Emergency Physicians, including pediatric specialists and physicians who have completed fellowship training in specialty areas such as sports medicine, ultrasound and emergency medical services. A few interesting medical conditions (Playa Foot and Playa Lung), are associated with Burning Man. The Black Rock Desert in northwestern Nevada is part of the lakebed of the ancient Lake Lahontan, a deep lake that existed 15,000 years ago. Lake Lahontan left fine sediments on the lake bottom to form the extremely flat surface. Playa dust is made of both larger and smaller particulate matter. The Playa dust is in the air, on the ground, and on everything in Black Rock City. People combat the dust with masks, bandannas, and colorful respirators to keep the chalky dust out of their mouths and nostrils, but the effort is often futile. Playa Foot is a malady unique to the Black Rock Desert caused by the alkali dust that makes up the desert. It is, in essence, a chemical burn. The best prevention is keeping feet covered as much as possible, applying a moisturizing skin lotion before bed and wearing socks and closed shoes each day on the playa. “Playa Lung, where the particulate is breathed into the lungs, may cause coughing, throat pain and loss of voice in the short-term,” says William Graham, MD, a specialist in Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine at Renown Health. “The dust can cause health issues for smokers, children and elderly and people with pre-existing conditions like asthma and COPD. The best prevention is to get a mask that’s comfortable with n99 filters, wear the mask as much as possible and change the filters often. Be sure to drink lots of water and take protection from windstorms. A doctor visit is recommended if any effects of breathing in dust persist beyond a week or two.” Dr. Derek Beenfeldt is the Chief Medical Officer for Renown’s not-for-profit insurance arm HometownHealth, and has been a frequent participant in the Burning Man experience over the years. In the interest of wanting every person to have a wonderful experience while here- especially since over half of the participants live outside the U.S. health care system, he reminds people of the number of free and low-cost on-site health care and testing resources provided on the playa at Black Rock City. “It is important for Burning Man participants to know that without US health care insurance coverage, the costs can be significant for transportation off the playa for a medical evacuation, hospital emergency department care or hospitalization. Even for people who have insurance, in the past, some have faced some significant out-of-pocket expenses for the flight or transportation to Reno-area hospitals or emergency departments.” He shares the following information; On Site Medical Response A community of EMTs, paramedics, nurses, medical students, and physicians are on site at Black Rock City in RVs to provide emergency response and urgent care to participants as needed. Local Hospital Response Since 2011, the Burning Man organization, has contracted with Humboldt General Hospital in Winnemucca, Nev., to staff and equip Rampart Urgent Care, a field hospital that offers X-rays, ultrasounds, a hand-held head scanner, lab tests and a pharmacy. The single-room wooden structure is easily seen- it is painted pink and yellow. The hospital’s 40 beds are located in adjoining tents. At Rampart, when possible, patients are treated on site. EMTs, medics and nurses are empowered to practice medicine to the fullest ability their licensing and credentialing allow. Patients are not charged for Rampart Urgent Care services, which is covered as part of their ticket fee. The Nevada State Health Division, Bureau of Health Protection Services is also on the playa. You will know them by the Nevada State Health Division logo on their shirts. All Renown’s physicians remind people that if they are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, they should go to the closest emergency room (ER) to get needed medical care. Delaying care for a medical emergency, such as a heart attack or stroke, can be life threatening or lead to serious complications. About Renown Health Renown Health is the region’s largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination, and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the region’s largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. For more information, visit renown.org.

Read More About As 70,000+ People Congregate for Burning Man, 100 Miles Northeast of Reno, Renown Health’s Emergency Teams and Hospitals Prepare to Serve