Health Insurance in Las Vegas
Getting health insurance in Las Vegas can be complicated. We’re here to make it easy. We’ll list out the insurance options available in Southern Nevada for you, along with who qualifies for each option.
For most plans, there’s a specific open enrollment period from November 1 through January 15. That’s when you can switch insurances easily.
Health Insurance in Las Vegas
Getting health insurance in Las Vegas can be complicated. We’re here to make it easy. We’ll list out the insurance options available in Southern Nevada for you, along with who qualifies for each option.
For most plans, there’s a specific open enrollment period from November 1 through January 15. That’s when you can switch insurances easily.
Outside of open enrollment, you may need a specific qualifying life event to join a health care plan, like losing or gaining a job, or a change in marital status. That change in status may qualify you for a special enrollment period, where you have 60 days to make decisions about your new health care plans. Don’t miss your opportunity to get the right health insurance plan for your specific needs.
Group Plans
Group coverage plans are, as the name implies, for groups of people. This is usually a work healthcare plan, like the Teachers Health Trust for teachers. Businesses with over 50 employees are required to offer health insurance coverage to their employees. Small businesses are not, but there are economic incentives for them to make healthcare affordable.
If you’re a small business owner or manager looking for a group plan, contact us!
Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) Plans
ACA Plans are medical plans that cover a certain set of offerings for everyone. There are no disqualifications for pre-existing conditions with ACA plans, and your price doesn’t change based on your health, but on your income. These family plans are available on the Nevada Health Link website.
Companies providing ACA plans in Nevada include:
Anthem CVS Health
Health Plan of Nevada
Ambetter (SilverSummit Healthplan)
Molina Healthcare
SelectHealth
Hometown Health Plan
Imperial Health Plan
These affordable coverage options come in three tiers: bronze, silver, and gold. The bronze tier is the least expensive. It also has the highest deductibles. Silver plans have higher monthly costs and a lower deductible. The gold tier has the highest monthly cost and the lowest deductible. This low-cost health care coverage also includes some level of prescription drugs coverage. Vision and dental plans may be added to your ACA healthcare plan for an extra fee.
ACA plans are good for those with chronic conditions. Ask Sandy, who is licensed for ACA plans, about ACA plans and alternatives.
Talk to Sandy about Health Insurance
Short-Term Plans
Short-term health insurance plans cover some basic medical needs for a limited time. These plans are incredibly flexible, and they can be helpful for a variety of situations, like:
- Switching jobs
- Starting your own business
- College students and those aging out of their parents’ plans
- Early retirees
Short term health insurance plans usually cover urgent care and virtual care, but not always preventive care. You’ll want to review the policy carefully to ensure that it’s a good fit for your situation. But choosing a short-term policy can save significantly versus an ACA plan for the right people.
Nevada Medicaid and CHIP
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program to provide affordable health insurance for those with limited income. CHIP is a health care program for families with children (birth through 18 years of age).
In Nevada, households with annual incomes of up to 138% of the federal poverty level may qualify for Medicaid. This is $16,753 per year for an individual, or $34,638 per year for a family of four.
Children living in households with an annual income of up to 200% of the federal poverty level may qualify for coverage through CHIP’s Nevada Check Up prograom. This is $50,200 for a family of four. If you qualify, you will be required to pay a quarterly premium based upon your family size and income, but won’t be responsible for things like co-payments and deductibles.
You can find out more or sign up for Medicaid and CHIP at the Access Nevada gov website.
Supplemental Health Insurance in Las Vegas
Health insurance doesn’t cover everything. Dental and vision benefits are usually not part of a standard ACA or short-term plan, but can be critical to your health and comfort. Plans that cover unique situations, like heart attacks and cancer, can be very helpful if you have risk factors in your family history.
Dental and Vision Plans
Insurance for vision and dental care are low-cost options that can save you a lot of worry and money. These plans can start at around $15 per month, and they provide great benefits that pay for themselves.
Most vision plans will cover your eye exam and up to $130 for frames. If the plan is around $15 a month, you’re getting your frames for free. Additionally, you get a discount on lenses and contacts.
Dental plans cover basic cleanings and X-rays, and provide significant reimbursement for other common dental issues.
Critical Illness Plans
Critical care and cancer plans can be key to financially getting through sudden and traumatic illnesses like heart attack, stroke, or cancer. While nobody wants to think about these terrible health outcomes, the fact is that someone in the US has a heart attack about every 40 seconds, according to the American Heart Association.
Small premium payments now can lead to a significant payoff if you do happen to experience a debilitating illness, helping to offset household costs, rent, and other items while you’re recovering.