This opinion column was submitted by Ryan High, executive director of Silver State Health Insurance Exchange.
Nearly half of Americans make a New Year’s resolution to get healthier. Many of those people will decide the best way to do that is get a gym membership and start working out. While hitting the gym will work for some, there’s a first step that everyone should consider in the New Year: Get insured and see your doctor.
The last few years make very clear just how important it is to be proactive about your health. While the COVID-19 pandemic has dropped off the front page, it is still a risk to many Nevadans, especially those with preexisting conditions. And the recent spikes in the flu and RSV should be a reminder that anyone can need medical care at any time.
Every qualified health plan through Nevada Health Link covers preventative care and an annual check-up with your doctor. While many folks will put off visiting the doctor until they feel sick, this is essentially like driving with your check engine light on — you’re just asking for trouble.
A trip to the hospital — while lifesaving and critical — also could mean hospital bills. It’s a good reminder that health insurance can dramatically help reduce the chances of medical debt and will help cover the cost of expenses if unexpected health emergencies occur. Still, nearly 11% of Nevadans do not have health insurance.
As the executive director of the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange, which operates the online marketplace Nevada Health Link, I’m under no illusions that health insurance is a dynamic, exciting topic that is top of mind for most people as they start the New Year. But I do want every Nevadan to know that getting insured is easier and more affordable than they think.
Nevadans have until Sunday, Jan. 15 to enroll in a new health insurance plan or change their existing plan through Nevada Health Link. Last year, more than 100,000 Nevadans got insured through the online marketplace and as of Jan. 4, more than 12,000 Washoe County residents have already used the marketplace to get insured for 2023.
Ninety percent of Nevadans who shop on for plans through Nevada Health Link qualify for federal tax credits to help lower the costs of monthly premiums. Nearly half of all consumers with plans through Nevada Health Link have plans under $100/month.
The Exchange does everything it can to make navigating the enrollment process easy. Nevadans can explore and compare plans on NevadaHealthLink.com, as well as get free, no pressure enrollment assistance from one of more than 700 certified brokers or from one of the seven community-based navigator entities the Exchange partners with: Community Health Alliance (CHA), Dignity Health, Asian Community Resource Center (ACRC), Nevada Health Centers, Asian Community Development Council (ACDC), Nevada Outreach Training Organization, and Access to Healthcare Network (AHN). We have assistance available in multiple languages with enrollment professionals available in person and over the phone to help consumers discover plans that best fit their medical needs and who can answer your questions.
Santa probably didn’t get you a qualified health insurance plan this year, but you still have time to give yourself the gift of good health and peace of mind in 2023 by getting enrolled in health insurance this Open Enrollment. Visit www.nevadahealthlink.com and get enrolled by Jan. 15.
Ryan High is executive director of Silver State Health Insurance Exchange.
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