When families face a cancer diagnosis, mental health crisis or any unexpected change in their health, the last thing they should worry about is navigating a complicated health care system. But for many, that’s exactly what they face. Complex benefits, rising out-of-pocket costs and uncertainty about where to turn add stress to already difficult moments. Health insurance costs are overwhelming residents, as average premiums increased by 26 percent in 2026, forcing many to make difficult decisions. Families are frustrated by rising premiums, copays and out-of-pocket costs, and they want solutions. At Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, we believe health plans have a responsibility to help keep coverage dependable and accessible when people need care, not just explain why costs are rising.
People, today, expect more from their health plan, they want support that makes health care easier to understand, easier to afford, easier to use. And our role is clear: We advocate on behalf of our members, help people navigate care with confidence, and ensure access to high-quality care when it matters most. These are the standards we are committed to delivering in Nevada.
SIMPLIFYING THE HEALTH CARE EXPERIENCE
Health care has become increasingly complex. Our job is to simplify it by helping members understand their coverage, what care will cost and how to find the right provider. Without clarity, these factors often lead to confusion, delays or unnecessary costs.
Tools like the Sydney Health app bring benefits, in-network providers, cost estimates and care navigation together in one place. Its ease of use, combined with new AI-powered features, helps members save time, make informed decisions and find the right care faster. Members who use the app save an average of $185 annually because they can compare care options and avoid unexpected fees.
MAKING HEALTH CARE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR FAMILIES
The United States now spends more than $5 trillion a year on health care, and costs are accelerating. Hospital spending increased by nearly 10 percent in both 2023 and 2024, the fastest growth in more than three decades, outpacing inflation and wage growth. Prescription drug spending rose nearly 8 percent in 2024 and now represents roughly one-quarter of what employers spend on health care.
It’s important to understand what drives those costs. Premium rates are based on the expected cost of medical and pharmacy care and how often services are used. In that sense, premiums aren’t prepayment for routine care, they’re protection against large, unexpected medical bills when serious illness or injury occurs. Premiums are tied to the actual cost and amount of care people receive, and by law, 80 percent to 85 percent of every premium dollar must go directly toward medical care or be returned to consumers.
We’re also shifting care to more affordable settings, such as virtual visits and community-based services, to reduce avoidable emergency room visits and hospitalizations. We work with providers to reward better outcomes rather than more services. These approaches drive long-term improvements in quality care, patient experiences and affordability.
PROVIDING PERSONAL SUPPORT WHEN NEEDS ARE COMPLEX
Quality health care requires more than coverage; it requires personal care. When someone is managing a chronic condition, juggling multiple appointments or facing a new health concern, they often need help from someone who understands the system.
Our care managers help members understand their benefits, coordinate appointments and connect with community resources. One member’s experience shows the impact: When a pregnant woman noticed a concerning lump, she contacted her care manager, who helped her understand her coverage, coordinated a biopsy, and connected her with local support for food, diapers and other essentials. That’s the whole-person support families should expect. In Nevada, our care managers also help members access available resources that support complex care, chronic condition management, prescription drug affordability, value-based care models and more.
We work closely with high-quality care providers to ensure care is coordinated, evidence-based and focused on better outcomes. Our Community Pharmacy Total Care program, for example, pairs members with more complex health needs with independent pharmacists who take the time to review medications, sync refills, arrange free home delivery and prepare easy-to-follow packaging instructions. This hands-on approach makes staying healthy easier and helps members manage medications with confidence.
THE PATH FORWARD
Health care will continue to evolve, and health plans must evolve with it. Our commitment is simple:
• Make health care easier to understand through clear information and easy-to-use tools that guide decision making.
• Make health care more affordable by addressing the drivers of rising costs and supporting lower-cost, high-quality care.
• Make health care more personal by offering human support that meets people where they are.
When health plans, providers and policymakers work together, families can spend less time worrying about costs and more time focusing on their health. Our commitment is to keep coverage dependable, improve affordability over time and help people get the care they need — when they need it — across Nevada.
Want to learn more about affordability in Nevada? Visit anthem.com/affordabilityinnevada.
Mike Murphy is the president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Nevada.
