Reno Community Health Centers and Clinics

Compounded by high unemployment, the number of medically uninsured and underinsured people in Washoe County and Nevada has been increasing. The Great Basin Primary Care Association of Nevada estimates that 20.6 percent of Nevadans will be uninsured in 2010. Together with the underinsured, many of these people are putting off seeking medical attention until absolutely necessary and often cannot afford to pay. This situation has created a severe strain on hospitals, which must absorb the costs not paid by patients or covered by insurance. They then tighten up to reduce costs, cutting services and staff. Enrollment in government medical assistance programs, such as Nevada Medicaid, is also up significantly. It's a downward spiral likely to continue as long as health insurance remains an unaffordable luxury for so many.

Helping to fill the gaps described in this scenario are community health centers and clinics. In the Reno / Tahoe area, we are fortunate to have several of these facilities available to low-income citizens who meet federal and state qualifications. Another program helps make medical services more affordable with a network of health care providers that offer reduced rates.

Health Access Washoe County (HAWC)

Health Access Washoe County Community Health Centers serve residents of Washoe County and other nearby communities. HAWC is a non-profit that provides medical and dental care to the uninsured. The organization was created in 1995 by the Washoe County Medical Society. Services are provided on a sliding fee scale and open to everyone, including the uninsured and those on Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. The HAWC Patient Information webpage has more information. Here is a list of HAWC locations and phone numbers...

Health Access Washoe County
1055 South Wells Ave., Reno, NV 89502
(775) 329-6300

HAWC Outreach Medical Clinic
335 Record St., Suite 250, Reno, NV 89512
(775) 324-2599

HAWC South
6490 S. McCarran Blvd., Suite A-9, Reno, NV 89509
(775) 825-6702

HAWC Storey County Health Center
476 North B St., Virginia City, NV 89440
(775) 284-3570

HAWC Administration Office
1450 Ridgeview Drive, Suite 200, Reno, NV 89519
(775) 329-6300

Nevada Health Centers, Inc. (NVHC)

Nevada Health Centers, Inc. is a private, non-profit program that is funded under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. NVHC provides medical and dental services primarily to low-income residents at clinics throughout Nevada. NVHC accepts patients on a variety of programs (Medicaid, Medicare, Women's Health Connection, and Nevada Check Up) and has a sliding fee program. For more information, refer to the NVHC FAQ. Clinics in the Reno / Tahoe area include...

Incline Village Family Health Center
865 Tahoe Blvd., Suite 202, Incline Village, NV 89451
(775) 831-2086

Sierra Family Health Center
907 Mountain St., Carson City, NV 89703
(775) 887-5140

Great Basin Primary Care Association of Nevada (GBPCA)

Great Basin Primary Care Association of Nevada is a federally designated primary care association promoting access to affordable, comprehensive, and quality health care for Nevada's underserved populations. GBPCA members support and advocate for community health centers, tribal health centers, and other programs designed to assist the medically underserved and uninsured. For assistance in finding a clinic, visit the GBPCA Locate a Health Center webpage.

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte provides a range of reproductive and general health services to patients in northern Nevada and mid-California. Patients include the uninsured and underinsured, with fees charged on a sliding scale. Services available include well women exams, cancer screening, mammogram referral, contraceptive care, pregnancy testing and options counseling, STD testing and treatment, rapid HIV testing, HPV vaccines for boys and girls, and more. There are two offices in northern Nevada.

Reno Office
455 West Fifth St., Reno, NV 89503
(775) 321-8711

Carson City Office
1201 N. Stewart St., Suite 120, Carson City , NV 89701
(775) 461-7260

Access to Health Care Network

Access to Health Care Network is a non-profit medical discount plan (not insurance) providing access to over 400 Reno area primary care and specialty physicians, health care services, and dental and vision services. Participating local hospitals include Renown and St. Mary's. People who qualify for membership pay a small monthly fee to be eligible for reduced rates. For more information and to see if you are eligible, review the information about becoming a member.

Member Services Office in the Reno Town Mall
4001 S. Virginia St., Suite F, Reno, NV 89502
(775) 284-8989

Nevada Medicaid and Nevada Check Up

As with all health programs administered by the government, Nevada Medicaid and Nevada Check Up have a rather complicated set of eligibility and application rules. Briefly, this is what these programs cover...

Nevada Medicaid is a program which provides health care services to low-income residents who qualify based on federal and state law. Nevada Medicaid is administered through the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services. In the Reno area, call (775) 684-7200 for more information.

Nevada Check Up provides low-cost health care coverage to low income, uninsured children (through 18 years) who are not covered by private insurance or Medicaid. To find out if you qualify, check the eligibility requirements. Phone numbers are (775) 684-3777, toll-free in Nevada (877) 543-7669, toll-free out of Nevada (800) 360-6044.

Sources: Reno Gazette-Journal, Health Access Washoe County, Access to Health Care Network, Nevada Health Centers, Nevada State Health Division.