Health Insurance Options for Las Vegas Residents
Like many other states, the residents of Las Vegas have myriad health insurance options to choose from. However, all the health insurance policies available in Las Vegas can be grouped under three heads including employment-related policies, private health insurance policies and government-subsidized health insurance plans. It is however important to make a wise choice in purchasing a health insurance policy in Las Vegas since a good policy needs to be competitive in terms of costing, flexibility and the extent of coverage.
Understanding Employment-related Health Insurance Policies
Most residents of Las Vegas under the age of 65 are automatically covered by the health insurance policies provided by their employers. These are also called group insurance plans in which the employer or the union bears the major part of the premium, while the employee has to pay a given share. Getting employment-related health insurance coverage is relatively much easier as against individual health insurance policies.
Small Businesses in Las Vegas have access to guaranteed group coverage irrespective of their employers’ health status. COBRA laws ensure that the employees can retain the health insurance coverage provided by their employers by bearing the cost of whole premium. Though this is an expensive option, this is invariably cost-effective than independent health insurance policies. The other insurance option in Las Vegas is HIPAA.
Health Insurance for Las Vegas Self-employed Professionals
If you own a business and you are the sole owner of it, you cannot claim the right to guaranteed issue health insurance policy. However, there are a number of professional organizations that can help you get health insurance at affordable rates. While purchasing health insurance plans through these avenues, beware of discounted options which are not actually insurance plans. It is always good to check whether the policy you buy offers a comprehensive coverage.
Private Insurance Options for Las Vegas Residents
Las Vegas residents who look forward to buying private insurance plans have three options to choose from. HMO are health insurance plans that have myriad health services, but have limits with the choice of doctors who fall inside their network. PPO health insurance plans can pay for health care outside the defined network, but the premiums are rather higher. In such cases, the subscribers need to first take the treatment, pay for it and then file for a reimbursement from the insurance firm. HSAs or Health Savings Accounts offer Las Vegas residents the benefit of tax-exempted resources for health care in addition to qualified high-deductible plans.
Las Vegas Government-subsidized Health Insurance Programs
Las Vegas has a number of government-subsidized health care programs. The eligibility for these schemes are decided on the basis of income and a set of other criteria. Medicaid is a public health insurance program in Las Vegas available to residents who fall under low-income group, who receive SSI/SSP, who are 65 years or older, disabled, parent with dependent children and pregnant. Medicaid offers a comprehensive coverage towards primary health care, hospitalizations, drug prescriptions and other health care services. There are no premiums for this scheme. The other state-subsidized health insurance options in Las Vegas include Medicare, Nevada Check Up and Nevada Check Up Plus.
Las Vegas Health Insurance Options for People with Special Health Conditions
Las Vegas residents with special health conditions can benefit from a range of unconventional health insurance options available in the region. Nevada ADAP The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) benefits the HIV+ uninsured or under-insured patients gain access to health care. Those who do not qualify for health insurance policies can take advantage of ADAP. The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program offers free screening and diagnostic services to low income, uninsured women. Once a problem is detected, the patients are also eligible to be covered under a limited Medicaid.
