Exchange’s open enrollment for 2017 begins

The Silver State Health Insurance Exchange (Exchange) Open Enrollment for 2017 health insurance plans is now open and marks the Exchange’s fourth season of closing the gap between uninsured and insured Nevadans.

Through Jan. 31, 2017, residents can obtain budget-appropriate health coverage by attending an upcoming enrollment event or visiting Nevada Health Link, the online marketplace that offers Nevadans access to convenient, free healthcare coverage assistance with experienced licensed enrollment professionals statewide.

“While there are discussions about our new president elect’s motives regarding the Affordable Care Act, we want to remind Nevadans that the importance of being properly covered by health insurance remains the same,” said Heather Korbulic, executive director of the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange. “Not only is it far too early to tell what will happen to state-based exchanges, but such substantive change will require legislative action and approval. We are prepared to work with state and federal lawmakers as the future of affordable healthcare insurance is reexamined, and in the meantime, are on the ready to assist Nevadans with their health coverage needs.”

Residents are invited to “get connected” with a licensed enrollment professional from 3-8 p.m. at the Peppermill Resort Hotel & Casino in Reno on Dec. 15.

“In order to have health coverage starting on January 1, 2017, Nevadans must complete their enrollment application by December 15. Open Enrollment is also an opportunity for residents who currently have Exchange-based health insurance to shop for new plans that might better fit their circumstances and their families’ needs, which could result in a decrease in their average monthly insurance costs,” said Korbulic.

Last year’s Open Enrollment campaign saw record-breaking numbers, and the Exchange increased the number of enrolled residents by nearly 20 percent compared to 2015. Also last year, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Nevada was ranked number one for the greatest rate of enrollment growth of any state over the final week of Open Enrollment and was one of the top five states in terms of enrollment growth increase over 2015. Nevada also saw the greatest decline in the number of uninsured children in the nation and the greatest progress of any state in reducing the number of uninsured Hispanic and Latino children.

The exchange was established per Nevada Revised Statues (NRS) in 2011 by the State of Nevada, and operations began in 2013, on the belief that all Nevadans deserve access to health insurance. Nevada Health Link, the state-based online marketplace, supported by healthcare.gov, 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. For more information about health insurance offered through Nevada Health Link, call 1-855-768-5465, visit www.nevadahealthlink.com, subscribe to Nevada Health Link’s blog, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.