Nevada Health Insurance

Losing Health Coverage in Nevada?

A job change, retirement, divorce, turning 26 or losing other qualifying health insurance can open a limited window to choose new coverage. Knowing your options before your current plan ends can help you avoid an unnecessary gap.

Don't wait for coverage to end

Your enrollment window may already be open.

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You may be able to report an upcoming loss of qualifying coverage up to 60 days before it ends.
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For many qualifying coverage losses, you have up to 60 days afterward to enroll through a Special Enrollment Period.

Starting early gives you more time to compare premiums, provider networks, prescriptions and your other coverage options.

A qualifying life event

Losing coverage can let you enroll outside Open Enrollment.

Nevada residents generally don't have to wait until the next annual Open Enrollment Period when they involuntarily lose qualifying health coverage. A qualifying loss may create a Special Enrollment Period.

This can include losing insurance through your job or a family member's job, aging off a parent's plan, losing eligibility for Medicaid or Nevada Check Up, certain losses of individual coverage, and some other situations.

Important distinction

Simply stopping premium payments does not normally create a Special Enrollment Period. Voluntarily dropping coverage may not qualify either. The reason your existing coverage is ending matters.

Your coverage choices

What can replace your current health insurance?

The best option depends on why you're losing coverage, your household, income, healthcare needs and what other coverage is available to you.

01

Nevada Health Link

Loss of qualifying coverage can allow you to enroll in an ACA-compliant individual or family plan through Nevada's official Marketplace.

  • Multiple plan choices may be available.
  • Financial assistance may be available based on eligibility.
  • Compare networks, deductibles and prescriptions carefully.
02

COBRA

If available, COBRA may let you temporarily continue the employer plan you already have.

  • Allows continuity with the same employer plan.
  • Can be valuable during ongoing treatment.
  • You may be responsible for the full premium plus an administrative fee.
03

A spouse's employer plan

Loss of other health insurance can potentially create a special enrollment opportunity for employer-sponsored coverage available through a spouse.

  • Ask the employer about its enrollment deadline.
  • Compare the employee contribution with Marketplace coverage.
  • Review family deductibles and provider networks.
04

Medicaid or Nevada Check Up

A reduction in household income can change eligibility for Medicaid or children's coverage.

  • Eligibility depends on household circumstances.
  • Enrollment isn't limited to annual Marketplace Open Enrollment.
  • Your Marketplace application may identify possible eligibility.
Plan ahead

A practical coverage-loss timeline

As soon as you know

Confirm exactly when your coverage ends.

Ask your employer, insurer or benefits administrator for the termination date and documentation showing the reason for the loss of coverage.

Up to 60 days before

Start reviewing Marketplace options.

For many qualifying coverage losses, Nevada Health Link allows you to report the upcoming loss before your current insurance actually ends. Starting early can help prevent a coverage gap.

Before choosing

Compare more than the premium.

Check physicians, hospitals, prescription formularies, deductibles, copays, coinsurance and out-of-pocket limits.

After enrollment

Complete verification and pay the first premium.

If Nevada Health Link requests documentation of your qualifying event, submit it promptly. Coverage also generally requires payment of the initial premium to the insurer.

A common decision

COBRA or Marketplace coverage?

COBRA can provide valuable continuity, but don't assume it is automatically your best—or only—choice.

When employer contributions stop, the cost of continuing the same plan can increase substantially. Marketplace financial assistance, when available, can change the economics of the comparison.

On the other hand, changing plans can mean a different physician network, formulary, deductible or treatment authorization process.

Questions worth comparing

What will I actually pay each month? Compare your full COBRA premium with the net Marketplace premium after any financial assistance for which you're eligible.
Can I keep my physicians? Don't assume the same doctors participate in a new individual-market plan. Check the specific plan network.
Are my prescriptions covered? Compare formularies, tiers and prior-authorization requirements.
Have I already met part of my deductible? Changing coverage during the year can affect the economics of deductibles and out-of-pocket spending.
How long will I need replacement coverage? A short transition between jobs can lead to a different decision than needing individual coverage for the rest of the year.
Before you choose

Gather these five pieces of information.

1

Coverage end date

Know the exact date your existing insurance terminates.

2

Household income

Estimate household income for the year because it can affect Marketplace financial assistance.

3

Current doctors

Make a short list of physicians and facilities you would prefer to keep.

4

Prescriptions

List regular medications so you can check each prospective plan's formulary.

5

COBRA cost

If available, obtain the actual monthly COBRA premium rather than estimating it from your former payroll deduction.

6

Other employer options

Check whether coverage through a spouse or another employer is available and note its enrollment deadline.

Common questions

Losing coverage FAQs

I lost my job. Do I have to wait for Open Enrollment?

Usually not if you also lose qualifying job-based health coverage. Loss of job-based coverage can create a Special Enrollment Period that allows you to enroll outside annual Open Enrollment.

What if I quit rather than being laid off?

Losing job-based insurance after leaving a job can still qualify even when you voluntarily left the job. The important issue is the qualifying loss of health coverage.

Can I apply before my employer insurance ends?

Yes. Nevada Health Link states that an upcoming loss of qualifying health coverage may generally be reported up to 60 days before the coverage ends.

Does losing coverage because I didn't pay the premium qualify?

Generally no. Termination for failure to pay premiums does not normally create a Special Enrollment Period.

Do I have to take COBRA if it's offered?

Not necessarily. When losing qualifying job-based coverage, you may be able to compare COBRA with Marketplace coverage and other available options. Eligibility for Marketplace financial assistance depends on your circumstances.

Can I switch from COBRA to a Marketplace plan whenever I want?

Not necessarily. Voluntarily ending COBRA generally does not itself create a new Special Enrollment Period. Exhaustion of COBRA can qualify, and annual Open Enrollment provides another opportunity to change coverage. Consider this before electing COBRA if Marketplace coverage is also an option.

What documents might I need?

You may be asked for documentation showing your prior qualifying coverage and the date it ended or will end. Keep notices from your employer, insurance carrier or benefits administrator.

Losing health coverage?

Don't wait until the last day to compare your options.

Tell us when your current coverage ends and what type of Nevada health coverage you're looking for.

You don't need to provide a Social Security number, medical history or other sensitive health information through our initial form.

Request Nevada health coverage help

Complete the short form below.

Important: This page provides general educational information and does not determine eligibility for a Special Enrollment Period, Marketplace financial assistance, Medicaid, COBRA or any particular insurance plan. Enrollment deadlines and effective-date rules vary by circumstance. Verify your eligibility, deadlines and coverage dates before allowing existing coverage to terminate. NevadaHealthPlans.com is an independent educational and lead-generation resource and is not Nevada Health Link, HealthCare.gov, Medicare, Medicaid, or another government agency.