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As prices continue to rise, we are left with fewer options

Large corporations continue to suck money out of Las Vegas.

They are buying up local doctors, leaving you and your family with fewer options for primary care.

78 doctors have already left the Culinary Network or closed their practice due to corporate buyouts.

So, over 5,500 Culinary participants lost their doctors.

And more buyouts are coming.

We can’t continue like this. We must make changes that protect your access to high-quality care and the future of your Fund.

We’ve been managing rising healthcare costs, but we have to do more to survive

Your Fund is switching to a No Copay Adult Primary Care Network

All Adult Primary Care doctors who charge copays are being replaced by our No Copay Culinary Health Center Primary Care doctors. This change is necessary to ensure all Culinary participants and dependents have access to high-quality primary care, care coordination, and walk-in care for no cost.

What does this mean?

All Culinary members and adult dependents must go to the Culinary Health Centers for in-network primary care starting December 1, 2026. To make an appointment, please call 702-790-8000.

What if I still want to see my doctor who is not at the Culinary Health Centers?

Your doctor can see you as a cash patient (without charging your Culinary insurance). Ask your doctor’s office if that’s an option and what they charge. Cash rates are usually between $75 to $300 per visit, but depends on the doctor and service.

This change is for Primary Care for Adults Only. Your pediatricians and specialists are NOT impacted.

Questions and Answers

What is happening?

The Culinary Health Fund is changing how in-network adult primary care is provided. Beginning December 1, 2026, covered in-network adult primary care services will be provided through the Culinary Health Centers as part of our No Copay Adult Primary Care Network.

Pediatricians and specialists are NOT a part of this change. Only primary care doctors for adults are impacted.

Why is this change happening?

The Culinary Health Fund is making this important change as part of our continued efforts to ensure you and your health benefits are protected as health care in our community changes and is more difficult to access and afford. As healthcare prices continue to rise, we must make changes to survive.

What does this change mean for me?

If you and your adult dependents go to a primary care doctor that is outside of our Culinary Health Centers, you will need to change doctors. Adults must go to a primary care doctor at the Culinary Health Centers for in-network primary care.

What type of doctors are impacted by this change?

This change is for primary care doctors for adults only. Specialists, pediatricians, dentists, and eye doctors are NOT impacted

When do I have to switch to a primary care doctor at the Culinary Health Centers by?

If you and your adult dependents have seen a primary care doctor not at the Culinary Health Centers in the last year, you will get a letter in the mail that tells you the last day that doctor will be contracted with the Culinary Health Fund.

You have up to 90 days from the date that is on the letter to switch doctors. This gives you a short period of time to finish care with the doctor and find a new no copay doctor at the Culinary Health Centers.

December 1, 2026, is the final date all adult primary care doctors will be removed from the Culinary Network, except for doctors outside of the Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area.

Why can’t I keep my primary care doctor that I’ve been going to for a long time?

The Culinary Health Fund is transitioning to a No Copay Adult Primary Care Network to protect your plan and your benefits for the future as health care costs become unaffordable. This change is necessary to keep your health benefits and wages strong as we protect you and the Fund against rising healthcare costs and inflation.

If you have had your current doctor for a while, and they know a lot about your health, we understand it can be really frustrating to change to a new doctor. We are here to help make that less frustrating.

Can I pay cash if I still want to see my doctor who is not in the Culinary Network?

Yes, the doctor may see you as a cash patient without charging your Culinary insurance. Please ask the doctor’s office if that’s an option and what they charge. Cash rates are usually between $75 to $300 per visit but depends on the doctor and service.

If I pay cash to see my doctor who is not in the Culinary Network, can I get my prescriptions filled at the Free Culinary Pharmacies?

Yes. You can keep filling your prescriptions at the Culinary Pharmacies for no copay. If you use a retail pharmacy, your regular copays will apply.

I have dual Culinary — can I keep seeing my current primary care doctor for no copay?

No, because that doctor is leaving the Culinary Network for all patients.

I have Culinary and another insurance, how does this impact me?

When you go to the Culinary Health Centers, only your Culinary Health Fund insurance will be used.

If you use your other insurance, you can go to a doctor in that network but Culinary will not cover care with out-of-network providers. You should contact your other insurance for information.

Does this mean I have to change my specialist(s)?

This change does not impact specialists. You can go to any of the thousands of specialists in the Culinary Network and your copay would remain $40 for an in-network specialist visit.

Does this mean I have to change my child’s pediatrician?

Your covered dependent children can go to any provider in the Culinary Network. This includes hundreds of pediatricians in our network for a $25 copay as well as our amazing pediatric team at the Culinary Health Centers for no copay.

What are the Culinary Health Centers?

The Culinary Health Centers are the health centers built only in Las Vegas and only for Culinary Health Fund families. There are no copays—that’s zero cost for primary care visits, radiology, labs, or even medication refills. We want every Culinary member to have quality care, better access to medical services, and an exceptional patient experience. And this is how we can make that happen.

There are four locations across the Las Vegas Valley, and we offer many services under one roof for little to no copays to make sure you can get the care you need when you need it.

Why do I have to go to the Culinary Health Centers for adult primary care?

By providing care directly through our health centers, we can make sure you have access to no copay primary care services, faster access to appointments, walk-in availability, and multiple healthcare services all in one place designed specifically for Union members and families.

There are more than 90 providers at the Culinary Health Centers that exclusively serve Culinary Health Fund members and dependents. This helps us provide faster access to care.

How long does it take to get a primary care appointment at the Culinary Health Centers?

Most routine appointments are available in less than 10 days. You can also walk in for care daily at every location for no copay if you need to be seen right away for minor health issues and injuries.

How do I make an appointment at the Culinary Health Centers?

Please call 702-790-8000.

Where is the closest Culinary Health Center to me?

There are four Culinary Health Centers that are close to most Culinary members’ home or work addresses across Las Vegas.

To find the closest Culinary Health Center near you, please:

Can I see the same doctor every time I go to the Culinary Health Centers?

When you make an appointment, you can choose the doctor you want and keep seeing the same doctor for all your scheduled appointments.

If you walk in for care, you will need to see the provider who is available at that time since it is an unscheduled visit.

What if I don’t like the doctor that I go to for my 1st appointment at the Culinary Health Centers?

You can easily request a different one. If you have any concerns about the doctors you see at the Culinary Health Centers, we want to know. We have a Patient Experience Team who can address your concerns and help you find a new doctor that you will like.

To contact the Patient Experience Team, please:

How do I get or transfer my medical records?

Your Culinary Health Center will be happy to reach out to the doctor’s office to request the medical records on your behalf. If you want a copy for yourself, please call the doctor’s office directly. Please note, the doctor’s office may charge you up to $.60 (cents) per page according to state law.

Is there an exception for doctors who are not in the Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area?

Yes, if you live outside of the Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area, you can continue to use your doctor that contracts with Culinary in those locations. Doctors in those locations will not be removed from the Culinary Network as part of this change.

Areas Not Impacted:

  • Tonopah
  • Pahrump
  • Mesquite
  • Laughlin
  • Logandale

Areas Impacted (Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area):

  • Las Vegas
  • Henderson
  • North Las Vegas
  • Boulder City
  • Paradise
  • Summerlin
  • Spring Valley
  • Enterprise
  • Sunrise Manor
  • Whitney
  • Winchester

Who decided on this change, and do they have the right to?

The Culinary Health Fund is managed by a board of both labor and employer trustees. They have the authority to design the health plan and make changes to the network and benefits. These changes were made due to rising healthcare costs and the Board of Trustees wanting to protect your health benefits, your paychecks, and the future of your Fund.

It’s common for health plans to make these types of changes. Other health plans make these changes and increase employee’s out-of-pocket costs. With Culinary, there are no co-premiums, no annual deductibles, and no co-insurance. The Board of Trustees made this change to keep it that way.

Who can I talk to about my questions and concerns about this change?

We understand that changing doctors can be frustrating, especially if you have a great relationship with them. Our team is here to help make this transition easier on you by answering any questions and listening to your feedback.

Please call the Advocacy Line at 702-691-5665.