Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Nevada Health Link added 6,000 in special enrollment period

Nevada’s state-run health insurance marketplace added more than 6,000 people during a two-month window for those who lacked coverage but had not signed up during open enrollment last fall, officials said Tuesday.

Silver State Health Insurance Exchange said the special enrollment period drew an almost 8% jump in Nevada Health Link membership compared with the 77,000 people who signed up during open enrollment last fall.

Gov. Steve Sisolak opened the special window March 17. It closed Friday.

In a statement, the governor cited the coronavirus pandemic and the importance of having health insurance coverage. He called it “unprecedented times."

Nevada is one of 13 states with its own exchange. The state last year took over administration after relying previously on a federal website set up under former President Barack Obama’s health law to let people shop for insurance online.

State health officials on Tuesday reported more than 7,000 positive cases of COVID-19, and 365 deaths.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.