A Summary of Your Protections Regarding Nevada Health Insurance

Chapter 1: A Summary of Your Protections

Numerous state and federal laws make it easier for people with pre-existing conditions to get or keep health insurance, or to change from one health plan to another. A federal law, known as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets national standards for all health plans. In addition, states can pass different reforms for the health insurance plans they regulate (fully insured group health plans and individual health insurance), so your protections may vary if you leave Nevada. Neither federal nor state laws protect your access to health insurance in all circumstances. So please read this guide carefully. The following information summarizes how federal and state laws do - or do not - protect you as a Nevada resident.

How am I Protected?

In Nevada, as in many other states, your health insurance options are somewhat dependent on your health status. Even if you are sick, however, the laws protect you in the following ways.

• Coverage under your group health plan (if your employer offers one) cannot be denied or limited, nor can you be required to pay more, because of your health status. This is called nondiscrimination.
• All group health plans in Nevada must limit exclusion of pre-existing conditions. There are rules about what counts as a pre-existing condition and how long you must wait before a new health plan will begin to pay for care for that condition. Generally, if you join a new group health plan your old coverage will be credited toward the pre-existing condition exclusion period, provided you did not have a long break in coverage.
• Your health insurance cannot be canceled because you get sick. All health insurance is guaranteed renewable.
• If you leave your job, you may be able to remain in your old group health plan for a certain length of time. This is called COBRA coverage or state continuation coverage. It can help when you are between jobs or waiting for a new health plan to cover your pre-existing condition. There are limits on what you can be charged for this coverage.