The Affordable Care Act, signed into law by President Obama in 2010, ensures that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care while significantly reducing long-term health costs.
In the four years since it was signed into law, the Affordable Care Act has given tens of thousands of Nevadans the assurance that they will have the coverage they need at a cost they can afford. In our state 633,000 individuals with private insurance and 262,500 seniors and people with disabilities with traditional Medicare now have access to critical preventive healthcare with no cost-sharing; seniors have already saved $67.2 million on prescription drugs; and 33,000 young adults under 26 have been able to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans.
In January 2014, Nevada began operation of its new Health Insurance Marketplace for individuals who buy their own coverage, lose their coverage, or have no coverage at all. The Marketplaces offers an online one-stop shop for a wide range of health plans, with clear explanations of their costs and benefits. Since January, an estimated 465,000 non-elderly Nevadans have either qualified for Medicaid under the expansion or for tax credits to help them buy insurance in the health insurance exchanges. Small businesses now have access to tax credits to help them provide their employees with insurance. And insurance companies are no longer able to impose any caps on coverage, deny care to adults with pre-existing conditions, or charge women higher premiums than men.
Enrollment for individuals and small businesses in Nevada's Health Insurance Marketplace and SHOP began October 1st and coverage began on January 1, 2014.
Helpful Information on Implementation of the Affordable Care Act
1) How the Health Care Law is Making a Difference for the People of Nevada
Find up-to-date information on how the Affordable Care Act is making a difference for individuals and small businesses in Nevada.
2) Key Features of the Affordable Care Act
Find out more about the key features of the Affordable Care Act and view a timeline of when these features will be implemented.
3) Information for Individuals and Families in Nevada
Learn more about the U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines used to determine financial eligibility for certain federal programs.
Healthcare.gov
This is the primary government website for health care information. It’s equivalent in Spanish CuidadDeSalud.gov. The information on the website can also be found in a number of other languages, including Chinese, Tagalag, Hindi, French, and Vietnamese. There is also a toll free consumer call number open 24/7 at 1-800-318-2596 to answer questions.
Silver State Health Insurance Exchange
This is the key website for Nevada’s health insurance marketplace. 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. The website will guide consumers through the application process and includes a variety of useful tools including: out of pocket cost calculators, plan sorting by primary care provider, prescription drug availability, and hospital network.
Nevada Health Link
Nevada Health Link was created by the State of Nevada to help individuals and businesses shop, compare, and buy health insurance. The website is an online marketplace where you can enroll in a health insurance plan that fits your needs and budget. The website is also available in Spanish at http://enlacedeseguromediconevada.com/.
AARP Health Law Answers
AARP Health Law Answers is an online tool to help consumers determine the benefits available to them under the health law: www.HealthLawAnswers.org. The new online tool is also available in Spanish at www.MiLeyDeSalud.org
4) Information for Small Business Owners In Nevada
Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP)
SHOP simplifies the process of buying health insurance for your small business.
Small Business Administration Websites
Learn more about what the Affordable Care Act means for small businesses. For example, it has information for: 1) the self-employed; 2) employers with fewer than 25 employees; 3) employers with fewer than 50 employees; and 4) employers with 50 or more employees.
Silver State Health Insurance Exchange
This is the key website for Nevada’s health insurance marketplace. 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. The website will guide consumers through the application process and includes a variety of useful tools including: out of pocket cost calculators, plan sorting by primary care provider, prescription drug availability, and hospital network.
Nevada Health Link
Nevada businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees in 2014 are able to use Nevada Health Link’s SHOP (Small Business Health Options Program) to purchase health insurance for their employees. Small business owners who use SHOP have a variety of tools and resources at their fingertips to select and administer all of their health insurance benefits. The website is also available in Spanish at http://enlacedeseguromediconevada.com/.
5) Other Resources Available:
East Valley Family Services
Planned Parenthood
CARE
Latin Chamber
Richard Allen Resource Center
American Diabetes Association
Asian Community Resource Center
Mexican Consulate
Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada
