Health Insurance: the Ultimate 2020 Holiday Gift

If 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that health is the new wealth. So as Nevadans contemplate what to buy their loved ones for the holidays, I urge everyone to consider health insurance.

While it may not be sexy, health insurance is essential to protect you and your family from financial ruin while increasing your access to quality care. And what better gift for you and your family than a comprehensive, quality, and affordable health plan that covers all the ten essential health benefits mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA)? It’s literally a gift that lasts an entire year, and best of all, you may qualify for subsidies to offset the costs.

Here are six things you may not know about health insurance plans offered through Nevada Health Link, the online health insurance marketplace operated by the state agency, the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange (Exchange).

First, insurance through Nevada Health Link is affordable. Nevada Health Link is the ONLY place consumers can qualify for subsidies to help offset the cost of monthly premiums. In fact, four out of five Nevadans who purchase a plan through Nevada Health Link qualify for financial assistance (tax credits).

Second, insurance through Nevada Health Link is comprehensive. All plans cover the ten essential health benefits mandated by the ACA, including pre-existing conditions, all COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment, emergency services, maternity and newborn care and hospitalizations, to name a few. Not all health insurance plans are created equal, so it’s a “buyer beware” market. But when you secure a health plan on the Exchange, you can rest assured that all plans are comprehensive in the coverage they provide.

Third, you can choose from 50 plans. Five carriers, including Health Plan of Nevada (HPN), SilverSummit (Ambetter), Anthem HMO Co, Friday Health Plans and SelectHealth, offer a total of 50 plans this year. Nevada Health Link also offers affordable dental plans, and new this year, we have partnered with VSP to offer vision plans.

Fourth, enroll by midnight Dec. 31 to get insurance effective Jan. 1. That’s an amazingly quick turnaround, right? If you enroll by Jan. 15, your coverage will start Feb. 1 of 2021.

Fifth, enrollment is easy and simple. We know insurance is complicated, and that’s why Nevada Health Link makes it easy and convenient to enroll in a way that suits you. We offer virtual and contactless assistance through a network of over 600 statewide agents, brokers, and enrollment assisters, called navigators, who offer step-by-step help in multiple languages (English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Mandarin). Enroll by phone, online or even in-person for those who prefer it.

And finally, Nevada Health Link plans are ideal for many Nevadans, including anyone who doesn’t qualify for Medicaid or Medicare but still needs some financial assistance to cover the cost of premiums; anyone who doesn’t have employee-sponsored health insurance; independent contractors and gig workers, as well as small businesses.

To ensure you and your family have health coverage for 2021, visit NevadaHealthLink.com or call 1-800-547-2927.