Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s First District announced that, beginning today, millions of Americans will have access to affordable, quality health insurance as new Health Insurance Marketplaces open in every state, under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

“Starting today, Nevadans who buy their own coverage, lose their coverage, or have no coverage at all can purchase affordable, quality health insurance through the new Silver State Health Insurance Exchange,” Titus said. “The Silver State Health Insurance Exchange is a new, easy-to-use marketplace where Nevada consumers and small businesses can compare and choose health insurance plans to best fit their needs and budget.”

“In the three years since it was signed into law, the Affordable Care Act has given thousands of Nevadans the assurance that they will have the coverage they need at a cost they can afford,” Titus continued. “In our state 615,000 individuals with private insurance and 167,000 seniors with traditional Medicare now have access to critical preventive healthcare with no cost-sharing; seniors have already saved $40.6 million on prescription drugs; and 33,000 young adults under 26 have been able to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans.

“Also beginning in January, an estimated 465,000 non-elderly Nevadans will either qualify for Medicaid under the expansion or for tax credits to help them buy insurance in the health insurance exchanges. Small businesses will have access to tax credits to help them provide their employees with insurance, and insurance companies will no longer be able to impose any caps on coverage, deny care to adults with pre-existing conditions, or charge women higher premiums than men.”

The open enrollment period for the first year of the Marketplaces runs from October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014.  The deadline for purchasing insurance that will go into effect on January 1, 2014, is December 15. Enrollment is a six-month process and will build over time.  

To shop, compare, and purchase plans, residents of District One should visit the Silver State Health Exchange website, exchange.nv.gov. If constituents have questions about the Marketplace, they can call 1-800-318-2596, a toll-free hotline open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Residents are also encouraged to visit titus.house.gov, for information on helpful resources. 

“The new Marketplace will mean new peace of mind for many of my constituents,” Titus concluded.  “For the 201,599 residents currently uninsured in District One, this opportunity is life changing.”