If you do not have health coverage for 2018, it's time to act now.
The open enrollment period for the 2018 Affordable Care Act Health Insurance
Marketplace runs from November 1 to December 15, 2017. Residents and small
businesses are encouraged to compare and purchase private health insurance
options by accessing federal, state or local resources.
The federal government’s Affordable Care Act created the insurance
marketplace to allow individuals and small employers to choose from private
health plans at lower costs. The marketplace is open to U.S. citizens
and documented residents who are not eligible for other coverage such
as Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, or employer-sponsored coverage. Local
residents may visit the marketplace at
healthcare.gov to directly compare and purchase private health insurance options.
Within Nevada, residents may also visit the Silver State Health Insurance
Exchange’s online marketplace,
Nevada Health Link,to apply for health coverage, review current plans or choose new plans.
The Silver State Health Insurance Exchange was established per Nevada
Revised Statues (NRS) in 2011 by the State of Nevada, and operations began
in 2013. It allows Nevadans to shop for health insurance, and provides
federal tax credits and subsidies to help cover the cost of insurance
for those who qualify.
Additionally, Humboldt County has two certified in-person assistance organizations
that provide help free of charge on behalf of the Silver State Health
Insurance Exchange: Davis Insurance (775-623-2478) or the State of Nevada
Consumer Health Assistance (775-753-5709).
It is important for residents to note this year’s abbreviated enrollment
period which is six weeks shorter than in years past; the last day to
enroll in coverage is December 15, 2017. If residents do not act by this
date, they will be unable to get coverage.
Premiums have increased this year and carriers have changed, so it’s
important that Humboldt County residents shop the marketplace to find
a plan that might better fit their circumstances and their families’
needs, which could result in a decrease in average monthly insurance costs.