Dr. Bard Coats recently transitioned into the role of market president at HealthCare Partners Nevada, a health care organization with 310 primary care providers, more than 1,700 network specialists and approximately 100 primary care locations in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Pahrump, Boulder City and Mesquite. HealthCare Partners Nevada serves more than 230,000 Nevadans.
Tell us about your work trying to enroll people in Medicare Advantage.
HealthCare Partners Nevada does not directly enroll seniors into Medicare Advantage, but our organization is involved in many efforts to educate patients about their health care options. Those efforts include organizing local educational events where experts are available to help seniors identify which Medicare plans best address their health care needs.
HealthCare Partners Nevada also strives to raise awareness of Medicare Advantage, which offers protection against high out-of-pocket expenses and provides improved access to coordinated care, a value-based form of care in which a team of health care providers works collaboratively to manage patients’ overall wellness.
Of course, in addition to the work we do for seniors, HealthCare Partners Nevada also sees nearly 150,000 patients who are under 65 years of age. We accept virtually all traditional commercial insurances, many self-insured coverage plans for adults through their employers, and Medicaid. We have three fantastic pediatric offices that see thousands of kids, and our 50 specialty physicians in cardiology, oncology, endocrinology and dermatology see patients of all ages.
What should seniors know about enrolling in Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Open Enrollment is scheduled each year from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. During this period, seniors with Medicare can change their health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year. For most seniors, this is the only time of year these changes can be made.
There are changes to Medicare Advantage health plans every year, so it is important for seniors to carefully review their plans to identify any modifications to costs, benefits and health care provider choices.
It also is key for seniors to review their individual health care needs, including any medications they take, to ensure their Medicare plan provides the coverage they need. Seniors should consider how much they plan to engage with their providers about their overall health. For those who prefer a high level of engagement, they likely will prefer access to coordinated care through a Medicare Advantage Plan.
What do locals need to learn most about health care?
It is highly important for Southern Nevada residents to learn about the recommended health screenings for their specific age group. Many people might be unaware of when they and their family members should pursue health screenings such as mammograms, colonoscopies, bone density scans and immunizations, all of which can play a key role in preventing significant health issues.
It also is helpful for patients to find a health care organization or provider that offers 24-hour services to address unexpected health issues and questions, whether through an after-hours answering service or 24-hour urgent care.
What are common misconceptions people have about Medicare Advantage?
I have found that some people are under the impression that individuals using Medicare Advantage have minimal health issues and are affluent. This is not usually the case, as Medicare Advantage is designed for a wide range of seniors, from those who may be very active and healthy to those with chronic health issues and people who do not have significant financial resources.
If you could change one thing about Southern Nevada, what would it be?
I would give Southern Nevada a Major League Baseball team. I am a baseball fanatic and would absolutely love to have a Las Vegas MLB home team to root for.
What’s the biggest issue facing Southern Nevada and its residents?
I consider energy consumption and water use to be Southern Nevada’s most urgent concern. I would like to see our area pursuing more energy conservation and investing in more renewable energy. I can afford to drive a hybrid car and install solar on my home; many can’t afford these expenses, so all efforts available should be accessible to help. I also feel we have a long way to go with addressing our depleting water resources and securing a solid plan for our future water supply.
What has been your most exciting professional project to date?
It’s hard to define one project. Things change so rapidly in health care that we always are developing ways to adapt to what is needed for our patients. We will be breaking ground on a new, 65,000-square-foot HealthCare Partners Medical Office Building in Pahrump after two years of planning. It will be a real joy to watch it come online and consolidate our services in Nye County into a single, integrated services building.
What are you reading right now?
I read every issue of The New Yorker cover to cover. This is one of the best publications I have ever read. I’m also reading “To Cork or Not To Cork,” a wonderful history of how wine bottle closures have evolved.
What do you do after work?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and grandchildren. I also exercise regularly, and I love to hike, play tennis and travel.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I hope to be partially retired and working part-time in a management or consultative role. I also plan to bottle and sell wine. My wife and I own a second home with a hobby vineyard in Sonoma County, Calif., near one set of grandkids, and our dream is to continue our efforts in the wine industry.
What is your dream job, outside of your current field?
I would love to be a celebrity like Anthony Bourdain, Jimmy Fallon or Paul Simon, or a professional baseball player such as Mike Trout. I think they each lead exciting, productive and phenomenal lives.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Smoking.
What is something people might not know about you?
I’m a music fanatic, and I played bass guitar with a rock band during high school in a small city near Tulsa, Okla. We recently played a 50-year reunion dance/concert in Sand Springs, Okla., for more than 500 locals, and we plan to meet and play again every year. Three of the members are full-time musicians in Oklahoma.