Ask the Expert: Helping You Navigate Health Insurance

Insurance
Nov 5, 2020

The World of Health Insurance:

…for many, it’s an unfamiliar landscape that may seem impossible to comprehend in its entirety. During open enrollment season, the pressure to select the proper health insurance plan for you and your family can seem daunting.

But, did you know that Nevada Health Link has Exchange Enrollment Facilitators, also known as Navigators or in-person assisters, to guide you on your health insurance journey? Free assistance is just a phone call or email away for those who need to get their health insurance questions and concerns answered.

Nevada Health Link Navigators are trained individuals, working for non-profit public organizations, or private entities who provide help to the public on a variety of topics, including program eligibility, health insurance terms and how to enroll in health insurance programs.

Maybe you’ve spoken to one of our Navigators before, or maybe this is the first you’ve heard of them. Our Navigators have years of experience answering any and all questions about Nevada Health Link, so we thought we should get the inside scoop on just what everyone is asking them.

Health Insurance FAQ’s

So just what questions are Navigators getting asked most frequently?

Navigator Angel De La Torre said he most often is asked about immigration status, how the program works, and general questions about signing up and eligibility.

Navigator Sonia Alegra, on the other hand, most often is asked about premiums.

Navigator Cherie Hughes said that many of her callers ask for clarity about Nevada Health Link, and the services that they provide.

Health Insurance Help for the People

Many of these Navigators have been with Nevada Health Link for five years or more! With all of this experience under their belts, many Navigators look back at their interactions with the public with pride. Their passion for their work stems from the ability they’ve been given to provide free assistance to Nevadans throughout their quest to find quality health insurance.

Hughes gushed about those she’s helped who have mixed immigration statuses, who have relied on Nevada Health Link to provide coverage for their children. Navigator Adela Victoro recounted one client who was receiving treatment for cancer, and having health insurance gave her access to life-saving medical care.

De La Torre and Alegra have felt the impact of their work through their repeated contact with continued clients over the years. This bond of trust that is forged between Navigators and their clients is a common theme when it comes to Nevada Health Link.

Why Have Health Insurance?

Among their passion for people, Navigators are genuine in their quest to ensure all eligible Nevadans enroll in health insurance coverage. Hughes and Victoro compared having health insurance to having car insurance – you never know when you’ll need it. To quote Victoro, “You might not need it, you might think you’re a healthy person, but accidents can happen.” Alegra dubbed health insurance as “a cushion,” or a buffer zone between an individual and potentially toppling medical bills.

De La Torre put it best when he said, “I think it’s very beneficial to look at the health insurance and see how much it would actually cost. It’s important not to go off solely from what you hear from the neighbors and coworkers. I tell them that the worst case scenario is that you come in or call us for an hour, and you leave how you came in: with nothing. Best case scenario, you leave with an idea of how much it will cost you and then maybe, not right now, but later on down the road, you realize you may need it, and now you know where you’re at.”

Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15. It’s the perfect opportunity to find the right health insurance plan for you and your family, no matter where you live and what medical needs you have. For more information on enrollment or to receive free assistance from a Navigator near you, please visit our website.