In our last blog, we took you through what the end of the Public Health Emergency means for Nevadans on Medicaid— this time, we’ll be answering all your questions about how to avoid a gap in healthcare coverage during this time of potential uncertainty.
How Can I Avoid a Gap in Coverage?
Tens of thousands of Nevadans are at risk of losing healthcare coverage during this period of Medicaid renewals. If you’re one of them, don’t worry! Options are available— you may be able to get health coverage through Nevada Health Link, the state’s online health insurance marketplace offering comprehensive plans for families and individuals.
WHY CHOOSE NEVADA HEALTH LINK?
Affordable Coverage
Loss of health insurance coverage is a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) that can qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) any time of year through Nevada Health Link— the only health insurance resource that can provide you with federal tax credits and subsidies to help cover the cost of your insurance. About 10% of Nevadans enrolled in health insurance through Nevada Health Link have $0 monthly premiums, and half have premiums under $100.
Flexible Plans
Over 160 Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) across seven private insurance carriers are available through Nevada Health Link (number of available plans vary by county). Plans are categorized by different tier levels: bronze, silver, gold, and catastrophic. Each tier’s prices are different as well as their level of coverage, offering a broad range of flexible options.
10 Essential Health Benefits
No matter what metal tier, every plan you can find through Nevada Health Link is comprehensive, covering the 10 Essential Health Benefits which include doctors’ visits, prescriptions drugs, lab services, maternity care and more. Dental and individual vision plans are also offered— learn more about what’s covered here.
Expert Enrollment Assistance
Expert assistance is always available to you. Use the look-up tool to find FREE enrollment assistance near you from a certified enrollment assister. The call center at 1-800-547-2927 is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST.
What Should I Do Now?
The unwinding process is already underway, and some Nevadans may have lost coverage as early as June 1. So, what should you do now? First thing first: make sure Medicaid has your current address, phone number, email, and other contact information so you’ll receive any important updates about your coverage. Fill out the Update My Address form online or call 1-800-992-0900 to change your contact information, and if you get a Redetermination Packet, complete and send it back as soon as possible.
The Division of Welfare and Supportive Services will review your renewal application and send a letter of determination approving or denying it. If approved, your coverage will be renewed with no further action needed. If you were deemed ineligible for Medicaid renewal, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period through Nevada Health Link, allowing you to get enrolled in an affordable Qualified Health Plan. Please note that even if you no longer qualify for Medicaid coverage, your children may still be eligible for CHIP, the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
If you had Medicaid coverage and lost it, or will lose it soon, you should contact Nevada Health Link or a Certified Enrollment Counselor or Broker/Agent in Nevada and see if you’re eligible to enroll in coverage through an SEP. If you know you will lose coverage, you can enroll in a Qualified Health Plan up to 60 days prior to your loss of coverage, with a coverage start date based on your loss of coverage. This will allow you to avoid a gap in coverage dates.
Click here for more information on Medicaid enrollment.
