SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
CARSON CITY — Mike Willden, Director of the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is proud to announce effective, July 1, 2011, the appointment of Marilyn G. Wills as Director of the Office of Consumer Health Assistance. Wills has served as Interim Director since April, 2010. As Director, Wills will continue her work to manage the Office of Consumer Health Assistance which operationally moved into the Director’s Office of DHHS from the Governor’s Office, upon recently signed legislation (AB519).
The Office of Consumer Health Assistance, physically located in Las Vegas, provides statewide advocacy and education to healthcare consumers and providers. The office helps individuals resolve hospital billing disputes, audit hospital charges, review and resolve physician billing disputes, and negotiate charity or discounted payment arrangements. In addition, it helps people locate health care services available in their community, resolve workers compensation issues, as well as locate coverage for prescription drugs.
Consumer health assistance is available irrespective of an individual’s health insurance coverage and can even help people apply for insurance including Medicaid, Medicare, NV Check Up (the state’s insurance for children), and Pre-existing Insurance Coverage (PCIP) for those who have been denied coverage from other insurance providers. The office, with its staff of twelve, responded to over 15,000 consumer requests last year.
Wills has also been given oversight of the Office of Minority Health which was recently relocated to the DHHS Director’s Office. Previous to this position, Wills worked in the DHHS Division of Aging and Disability Services for nine years.
“We feel the synergy created by bringing these services together within the Director’s Office will enhance the capabilities of both offices and provide more robust resources for consumers,” said Mary Liveratti, Deputy Director, DHHS. “Marilyn brings strong and relevant skills to this position along with a genuine interest and concern to help others.”
