Health insurance season is upon us with more choices for 2022 in area

Health Insurance open enrollment began on Friday, Oct. 15 for those on Medicare. Open enrollment, for those age 64 and under, begins on Nov. 1.
Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare runs through Dec. 7. During that time, those on Medicare Advantage plans can change plans with area providers and those on Standard Medicare can switch Part D drug plans. Sale of Medicare supplements is year-round and is not limited to AEP.
There are a number of Medicare Advantage plans available with some including dental, vision and hearing benefits, as well as free transportation to doctors appointments and free meals to seniors who are not mobile.
The most recent Medicare And You booklet, that is provided to seniors on Social Security, contains a list of available Medicare Advantage plans, along with customer satisfaction ratings. Medicare Part D plans are also listed with contact information for the providers.
Rates for Under-65 plans both on and off The Nevada Health Link (NVHL) are now available on the Nevada Division of Insurance website.
Open enrollment for those not on Medicare will run through Jan. 15, 2022 this year – a one-month extension from previous years.
Insurance costs on the NVHL will be less for consumers this year, thanks to increased subsidies through the American Rescue Plan, signed by President Biden in March. Consumers will also have more choices. Hometown Health and Aetna have been added to available choices in Washoe County. Other options are Silver Summit, Anthem, Friday Health Plan and Health Plan of Nevada.
Those who previously did not qualify for a subsidy may now qualify with limits on who can qualify for subsidies eased under the American Rescue Plan. If in question, check with a broker who can help you find out whether you qualify for a subsidy, at no cost.
For outlying counties in Northern Nevada, to include Carson City County, Storey, Lyon, and Douglas Counties, Friday Health Plan and Hometown Health have been added to the prior list that only included Anthem and Silver Summit. Churchill County has all of these except Hometown Health.
Consumers have the option of doing their own insurance plans or working through a broker, navigator or assister at no cost. Brokers can advise you on coverage while navigators and assisters cannot, Brokers can also help you with plans offered off the exchange.
Anyone who needs help with the changes can contact me at 775-224-7169 and I will either meet you in my office at 625 Fairview Ave., in Carson City or work with you by phone and internet.
Ron Bliss is former longtime sports writer who is now an independent agent with an office at 625 Fairview Avenue, Suite 126 in Carson City. He has been a broker on the exchange since 2014 and sells products on and off the exchange. Call him at 775-224-7169 to set up an appointment for Medicare and Major Medical policies. Supplemental plans for vision, dental, and accident and life insurance plans are also available.