Free In Person Live Assistance

During the upcoming Open Enrollment Period, all Nevadan’s will be asked to re-enroll for a 2015 health insurance plan so that they will have a plan in force during 2015.

Even though more than 18,000 Nevadans may have a new 2014 Exchange health insurance plan in-force today, the federal “Affordable Care Act” requires everyone that may have a plan through an Exchange and that may have an “Advanced Premium Tax Credit”, to re-apply for coverage during 2015. Many Nevadans use free live assistance to sign up for Nevada HealthLink.

The main concern expressed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the change of income. Insured members expect to this to occur during 2015. Family income is the basis of cost for insurance on exchanges. Therefore the Affordable Care Act mandates that everyone should re-apply for health insurance each calendar year. Other events, like new births, marriages, divorces, and deaths to family members may have taken place. These events, in addition to changes in family income, would have an effect on the monthly cost of the insurance.

The annual “Open Enrollment” period will allow everyone to change plans.

For everyone applying during the first 30 days of “Open Enrollment” ( between the November 15th and December 15th), the benefits of the new plan will start on January 1st, 2015 unless making application between the 16th of December and January 15th . In this case new benefits will start on February 1st, 2015. Unfortunately, at this time, the benefits of all of the 2014 health insurance plans will not extend into 2015. Unless the law is changed, anyone making application for a 2015 plan after December 15th, 2014, will not have coverage for the month of January. They would be subject to a portion of the 2015 “Shared Responsibility” penalty.

For those that did not enroll in a health plan during 2014, the “Shared Responsibility Payment” ( also known as the penalty or the tax) was 1% of the members Adjusted Gross Income. This comes with a minimum of $95. During 2015, the Shared Responsibility Payment increases to 2% of the members Adjusted Gross Income. This come as well with a minimum penalty of $395.

If you have any questions about any of these topics, please don’t hesitate to call us. We provide free in-person live assistance for everyone reapplying for coverage. We also help those that may not have a plan in force. Our phone number is 775-828-1216.