The individual health insurance market in Nevada consists of on-Exchange and off-Exchange plans. These are plans that are compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and cover all essential health benefits (EHB). EHBs are a set of health care services that must be covered with no “annual or lifetime dollar limits.” To view a general summary of Nevada EHBs visit http://doi.nv.gov/Healthcare-Reform/Individuals-Families/.

Open Enrollment is the time to actively purchase health insurance for the following year. This usually takes place from November 1^st until January 15^th. On or before October 1^st of each year, the Division posts on its website the plans and the rates for such plans that will be available to buy during open enrollment. 

The Silver State Health Insurance Exchange (Exchange)

The Silver State Health Insurance Exchange, the state agency that connects eligible Nevada residents to qualified health plans through the online marketplace, Nevada Health Link, is a fully operational State Based Exchange (SBE). Nevadans seeking coverage on the Exchange will enroll at http://www.NevadaHealthLink.com and not the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace, HealthCare.gov.

• These plans are available to consumers who are not offered health insurance through their employers, or such coverage is unaffordable, and who are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid.
• Consumers who purchase health insurance through the Exchange and are eligible may receive subsidies/financial assistance from the federal government that can help offset your monthly premiums for health insurance.
• Approved average rate change on the Exchange for 2024 is an increase of 2.8%. 
  

• To find out if qualify for a subsidy and to estimate monthly premiums visit Nevada Health Link’s website at https://www.nevadahealthlink.com/
• Consumers who are not eligible for a subsidy also have the option to purchase a QHP through Nevada Health Link.
• The Division encourages consumers who are not sure if they are eligible for a subsidy to start with Nevada Health Link first to determine their eligibility.

•          Nevada Health Link always encourages consumers to use the free assistance of a licensed enrollment professional or call 1-800-547-2927.

• If they are not eligible, consumers are encouraged to check out all plans including those off-exchange.

What is available Off-Exchange:

Off-Exchange plans are ACA-complaint health insurance plans sold outside of the Exchange. Just like On-Exchange plans all essential health benefits as mandated by the ACA are included in these plans.

• Since these plans are not sold on the Exchange there is no financial assistance from the federal government that can help offset monthly premiums.
• Consumers who are eligible for a subsidy need to purchase a health insurance plan through Nevada Health Link.
• The approved average rate increase for off-Exchange plans is 5.9%.

RESOURCES:

Now that you know the difference between on and off-Exchange plans, you can view the approved plans and their rates by visiting the Division’s Rate Wizard Tool at http://healthrates.doi.nv.gov/Wizard.aspx

The Rate Wizard lets you compare the health insurance plans available. These rates are displayed by age, county, and are for non-smokers. The search results are displayed and then sortable by plan name, carrier name, metal tier, and whether it is offered on or off the Exchange. This allows the search to be targeted for quicker more focused results. It provides the full contracts and schedules of benefits as well.

It is important to note that these rates DO NOT REFLECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE offered through the federal government. To see whether you qualify, visit NevadaHealthLink.com.

If you are not sure what some insurance terms mean visit the Division’s health insurance glossary at http://doi.nv.gov/Health-Rate-Review/Glossary-of-Health-Insurance-Terms