CARSON CITY – Nevadans seeking to purchase a health insurance plan during the next Open Enrollment period, which begins Nov. 1, 2020, can compare health plans and rates online starting Oct. 1. There are nine insurance companies to choose from and 111 different plans among them.
Plans are available both on the Silver State Health Exchange—designed to connect individuals with budget-appropriate health coverage—and off the exchange.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted consumers significantly, causing some people to lose their job and the related health benefit from that job,” said Insurance Commissioner Barbara Richardson. “Now is the time to begin shopping for health insurance. Nevada Health Link is a great resource because it offers financial assistance to eligible consumers to help offset for the cost of health insurance.”
The exchange, online at NevadaHealthLink.com, has plans about 50 plans from five different insurance companies. The average approved rate increase for plans on the exchange is 4.2%.
Off the exchange, there are six companies offering about 61 plans. The approved rate increases for these plans is 5%.
“The approved rate changes are a result of increases in medical costs, use of health insurance, and the potential impact of COVID-19,” explained Commissioner Richardson. “Although the impacts from COVID-19 are still unclear at this time, carriers are expecting slightly higher costs in 2021 which are expected to affect the 2021 premiums on average. With the new health insurance options in the state and the available financial assistance, the hope is that everyone shopping for individual health insurance will find the right choice for themselves and their family.”
Consumers can review on-exchange plans at https://www.nevadahealthlink.com/ starting Oct. 1. For those plans off the exchange, consumers can visit healthrates.doi.nv.gov.
Open Enrollment begins November 1, 2020 and has been extended until January 15, 2021.
