• Carson Now on Facebook
  • Follow Carson Now on Twitter
  • Follow Carson Now by RSS
  • Follow Carson Now by Email

Nevada Health Link reminds those who lose jobs of special enrollment to retain health insurance

Nevadans who have recently lost their job or had a change in income that threatens being able to pay for coverage may be eligible to receive subsidy assistance for their health plans, the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange noted Monday as a reminder to those who may become uninsured.

The Silver State Health Insurance Exchange, Nevada’s state agency that helps individuals secure budget-appropriate health coverage through the online State Based Exchange platform, Nevada Health Link, said in a news release that it wishes to remind uninsured Nevadans they may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if they have a qualifying life event allowing them to enroll anytime during the year outside of the normal Open Enrollment window.

Consumers who recently lost their job or had a change in income may also be eligible to receive more subsidy assistance to help pay for their health plans, and therefore they should contact Nevada Health Link rather than canceling their health insurance plans, the release states.

“As Nevada begins to re-open businesses and amenities statewide, we want to remind consumers who are uninsured they may still be able to enroll in a health insurance plan on Nevada Health Link,” said Communications Officer, Janel Davis, Silver State Health Insurance Exchange in a news release. “We urge Nevadans to remember there is no such thing as immunity to illness or injury, and if the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that anyone, regardless of age, income or circumstance, can be affected. If you find yourself without health insurance, please know you have options with Nevada Health Link. As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 crisis, health insurance is now more important than ever.”

Examples of QLEs include loss of a job resulting in the loss of employer-based coverage, changes in income and changes in family size through marriage, divorce, or the birth or adoption of a child, change in residence and turning 26 years of age.

Other qualifying events and circumstances include moving; gaining U.S. citizenship; denial from Medicaid; spousal abandonment; and more. If you experience a QLE, you usually have up to 60 days following the life event to enroll in a plan. Certain restrictions apply for QLEs and circumstances vary between individuals and families.

To find out if you’re eligible for a SEP see https://www.nevadahealthlink.com/sep or in Spanish: https://www.nevadahealthlink.com/sepes.

All plans sold by the Exchange cover COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment and are considered Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) that also cover the 10 essential health benefits mandated by the Affordable Care Act, including pre-existing conditions, maternity and newborn care, mental health, preventive care, and pediatric dental care. Nevada Health Link is also the only place consumers can qualify for subsidies to help offset the costs of health insurance premiums.

Nevada Health Link wants to clarify that insurance is NOT required to be tested for COVID-19; and the emergency regulation signed by the Governor provides that there is no cost to consumers for medical services related to testing for COVID-19.

Nevada Health Link recently enrolled 6,017 Nevadans during its limited-time Exceptional Circumstance Special Enrollment Period, March 17 – May 15, including 5,479 new consumer enrollments related to the Exceptional Circumstance Special Enrollment Period and 538 enrollments due to loss of Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC). The SEP was made available to consumers, in response to Governor Sisolak’s March 12 Emergency Declaration.

Top Stories

... or see all stories

The Nevada State Museum and University of Nevada, Reno conducted archaeological excavations at Fort Churchill State Park in the mid-1970s. Museum staff and research associates are re-examining these collections reflecting U.S. Army and other military units’ occupation of the fort between 1860 and 1869.

Nevada’s unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points from February to March and now sits at 5.1 percent, according to the state's Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation’s March 2024 economic report. The labor force in the state shrunk by 114 people.

The Nevada Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs is honored to announce bipartisan approval of a statewide initiative to expand early learning centers and child care access for Nevada families.

The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld the state’s contentious “ghost gun” ban, reversing a lower court’s ruling that the law banning the sale of unfinished frames and receivers of a firearm was unconstitutionally vague.

By state law, once Carson City’s population reaches 60,000 residents, they will be mandated to create a new courtroom complete with a new judge and staff.

However, that comes with a price tag of at least $800,000 in staffing alone — and doesn’t include the price to expand the courthouse.

Reno Tahoe Comedy is proud to present Bobcat Goldthwait at Piper's Opera house in Virginia City on Saturday, April 27. Since his first appearance on the David Letterman Show at the age of 20, Bobcat has gone on to maintain a thriving career as a writer, director, actor, voice actor and stand-up comedian.

The Nevada State Prison Preservation Society is once again offering tours to the community beginning in May and continuing through the month of October.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Carson City will host its first "Walking as One at 1" labyrinth walk on Saturday, May 4 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at 314 N. Division at Telegraph.

"Walking as One at 1" happens on World Labyrinth Day each year where participants across the globe engage in a labyrinth walk at 1 p.m. local time. This synchronized practice creates a 24-hour rolling wave of peaceful energy that passes from one time zone to the next across the world. The idea is to collectively contribute to a sense of unity and harmony.

The Carson City School District will host a quarterly Community Connections event next week, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 5:45-7:30 p.m. at Carson High School.

Carson Animal Services Initiative, also known as CASI, welcomes the community to enjoy an evening of great music, delicious food and wonderful live and silent auction items to support animals in need.

Earlier this month it was announced that Carson City’s Burlington Coat Factory would be closing. Rumors of a potential Hobby Lobby taking its place have now been substantiated.

The popular craft store applied for a permit for the location Wednesday, according to the Carson City Planning Division.

MINDEN — The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that it has published preliminary copies of the revised Flood Insurance Rate Map and Flood Insurance Study report for Douglas County and incorporated areas. These materials are available for public viewing on FEMA's website.

Hello fellow anglers. Yes, it is that time of year for the California opening day fishing season. This year we actually will have an opening day. Last year with our excessive snow pack, we were not able to get on many rivers until mid summer due to runoff.

Carson City Fire Department and multiple agencies will host the 2nd annual wildfire education and preparedness workshop for the community Tuesday, April 30.

Nevada Humane Society, Carson City branch Pet of the Week is Macy, a 6-year-old gal who has been at our shelter since the end of January. She was surrendered because her owner could no longer have animals.

Nevada State Museum staff invite all to contribute to a bee hotel this Saturday, April 20 as they celebrate Earth Day in Carson City. Participants are encouraged to contribute to the bee hotel, a nesting place for solitary bee friends, and learn about other ways you can help native pollinators.

Drawing on humor splashed with insight, nationally recognized syndicated cartoonist Brian Crane, also known as “Mr. Pickles,” packed the house as guest speaker Tuesday at the Carson City Senior Center.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office would like to provide some tips related to online safety for juveniles. It is important for parents to know how to set up their children’s devices for several reasons.

Carson Area MPO

Carson Area Metropolitan Planning Organization has posted a draft "Local Road Safety Plan" for public review and comment. A Local Road Safety Plan is a method for developing a locally tailored framework for identifying, analyzing, and prioritizing roadway safety improvements.

While waiting in line I always carry along a little Kipling, mainly to call upon this one little snippet to sustain me, “If you can wait and not be tired by waiting.” I do love his epic little poem, “If.” That poem has helped me to maintain my balance on more occasions than I can count.

The Historic Fourth Ward School Museum in historic Virginia City is pleased to announce the much-anticipated third annual Victorian Tea Party and Historic Fashion Show, scheduled for Mother’s Day weekend on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit is proud to announce the addition of two new K9 teams. Our latest additions have just completed K9 school and are now deployed to the Patrol Division of the Sheriff’s Office. The addition of these two K9s maintains our service of seven dog teams, as we continue toward our organizational goal of eight K9 teams to provide full-time coverage for the Carson City community.

Lane reductions will take place Fridays through Mondays on U.S. 50 in Dayton beginning Friday, April 19 as the Nevada Department of Transportation replaces concrete barrier rail in the highway median.

The four Douglas County School District board members who have been front and center through controversy since being elected in November 2022 all pulled out of a decision to accept a settlement agreement on a Writ of Mandamus during their meeting last Tuesday.

The 42nd annual Chili on the Comstock returns to heat up Virginia City on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19. As a qualifier for the International Chili Society World Finals, guests can indulge in a diverse array of chili styles, from spicy to mild and chili verde, all expertly crafted by some of the finest chili cooks in the West.

The next Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Bob Crowell Boardroom of the Community Center, located at 851 E. William Street.

Two were arrested Monday for possession of stolen personal and business checks amounting to more than $555,000, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Looking for a place to take your little ones this week? Look no further! Here is a list of family-friendly (and fun!) activities and events happening this week around the capital city.

Carson City Sheriff's Office deputies made four arrests on Monday for warrants and one arrest for alleged possession of drug paraphernalia, according to booking reports.

Common Ground Church Youth Group did volunteer work at Lone Mountain Cemetery in Carson City on Saturday to wrap lilac bushes with wire fencing in order to protect them from deer.