There were about 349,000 people in Nevada without health insurance in 2019, per data from a Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) report. That amounts to 11.5% of the state’s population. In 2021, KFF looked at the uninsured rate again and found that of those still without medical coverage in Nevada, around 144,000 would qualify for a marketplace health plan.
Marketplace health plans are regulated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the country’s current healthcare law. Under the ACA, major medical plans have to cover pre-existing conditions and 10 essential health benefits. These include things like mental health care, prescription drugs and preventive services.
The law also provides tax credits, aka premium subsidies, to people who meet the income requirements. If you earn between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, you likely qualify for a tax credit to reduce your monthly premiums.
When KFF analyzed the uninsured rate in Nevada in 2021, they estimated that of the people who still didn’t have health insurance but who qualified for a marketplace plan, around 17% of them could get a bronze plan for free.
Most people qualify for premium subsidies, though the amount of the subsidy will vary based on your income.
Kaiser Family Foundation also calculated average lowest priced premiums among three metal tiers for 2021. They found that in Kansas, the lowest price for a bronze plan averaged to $280 a month. The lowest priced plans for silver and gold plans were $383 and $472 a month, respectively.
These averages don’t include any premium subsidies.
When we used our own marketplace to get an idea of premium costs, we found that a 40-year-old living in Hendersonville making $37,000 a year could find a bronze plan for around $254.48 a month. That does not include premium subsidies.
Nevada is one of several states with its own health insurance exchange site. If you think you qualify for premium tax credits, visit Nevada’s exchange at NevadaHealthLink.com to check.
Cost and coverage options vary based on where you live. In 2021, Nevada has at least 5 insurers selling marketplace health insurance. It includes UnitedHealthcare, Anthem and Centene, among others.
Sources
Kaiser Family Foundation, “Health Insurance Coverage of the Total Population”
Kaiser Family Foundation, “Marketplace Eligibility Among the Uninsured: Implications for a Broadened Enrollment Period and ACA Outreach” (January 27, 2021)
Kaiser Family Foundation, “Average Marketplace Premiums by Metal Tier, 2018-2021”
Kaiser Family Foundation, “Insurer Participation on the ACA Marketplaces, 2014-2021” (November 23, 2020)