That gives both organizations shared ownership of Renown’s health plan, Hometown Health. The agreement marks Kaiser Permanente’s entry into the Nevada healthcare market and positions Renown to expand and strengthen its insurance offerings.

Renown CEO Dr. Brian Erling explained that the partnership aligns with the organization’s mission to keep healthcare affordable by gaining greater control over insurance premiums. He noted that without direct involvement in health insurance, cost-saving efforts often end up benefiting insurers rather than patients.

Hometown Health currently serves about 74,000 members, making it a relatively small regional plan. According to Dr. Erling, scaling up is essential to compete with large national insurers, which made partnering with Kaiser Permanente a strategic move to improve access, affordability, and health outcomes.

Northern Nevada’s rapid population growth driven in part by Californians familiar with Kaiser Permanente’s integrated care model also influenced the collaboration. Community members, Dr. Erling said, have frequently expressed interest in having a similar healthcare option available locally.

Beyond co-owning the health plan, the joint venture includes launching a new outpatient care network. Kaiser Permanente will operate Renown’s Del Monte Lane medical offices in Reno and open two additional facilities in 2026, offering primary and specialty care, labs, and radiology services. Retail pharmacies owned by Kaiser are expected to open in 2027, alongside Renown Pharmacy services, with Kaiser members gaining access to Renown’s hospitals and clinical services. Kaiser’s digital health platform is also planned to roll out in 2027.

Overall, the partnership is designed to expand care options, increase provider capacity, and give the local community more affordable and integrated healthcare choices.