LAS VEGAS — January brings several changes to health insurance coverage, and understanding them can help residents avoid missed enrollment deadlines and gaps in coverage.
Nevada’s health insurance marketplace, Nevada Health Link, runs an open enrollment through Nov 1 – Jan 15 to sign up for, compare, or change health insurance plans. During this period, residents can also enroll in Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans to ensure coverage for the new year. Those who miss the Jan. 15 deadline might qualify to enroll through the special enrollment period.
To qualify for special enrolment, applicants need to have:
- Moved to Nevada from another state
- Gone through a divorce
- Dropped from Medicaid coverage
- Lost employer-sponsored health coverage
Medical insurance programs like Medicaid and Medicare will see changes in 2026. Key Medicaid changes include shifting frequent eligibility renewals to every six months and restricting immigrant eligibility from Oct. 1, 2026.
Key changes to Medicare in 2026 include automatic enrollment in the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, a $ 2,000 cap on out-of-pocket costs, stricter rules for chronic illness benefits, and more health-focused benefits. Members should also expect significant premium increases in 2026, especially as ACA subsidies are set to expire.
Nevada residents are urged to confirm their coverage and understand the new 2026 costs using the Health Insurance Marketplace. Residents on Medicaid need to pay close attention to the frequent renewals (6 months) to avoid lapses in coverage.
