[whataboutyou]

As a nearly minted NV resident, I need to get NV Healthcare and prices seem high. I am single and early 30's so I no longer qualify for catastrophe insurance but I'm healthy and don't need insurance unless something major happens like car accident and major injuries. I'm looking at the cheapest plans and the best I see is $188/month for a bronze plan that's pretty much no coverage till I reach my $6,500 deductible. For about $192-198/month I can get something that has $25 copays for generic prescriptions and primary doctor plus $100 for specialists. For $210/month, I can get $1,000 copays for emergency room. This is all HMO. Is this normal pricing or am I missing something.


Also, the exchange seems to only have Prominence, Health Plan of Nevada, and Anthem-Blue Cross Blue Shield. Prominence seems to have bad plan options, Health Plan of Nevada is cheaper that Anthem for same service but wondering if anyone has recommendations for one over the other. They all have horrible reviews online but people seems to only leave online reviews for bad experiences and it's such low number of reviews that it's anecdotal evidence.


Any tips?


Also, I am self employed and had no income (under $10K last year) but expect over $40K this year by year end. Should I apply for Medicaid since I won't really qualify for it in 2016 but technically have no income so far?

[yellowsnow]

Get some expert advice. I do know that if you estimate x dollars income and end up making a lot more you could be in big trouble. Go talk to the people who really know!

[KandS]

Husband and I use Health Plan of Nevada HMO. Last year we had a silver plan, but this year it made sense to downgrade to a high level bronze. We are both around 30 and pay $200/mo each. Picked this plan for the copays. We've seen general doctors, been to urgent care, and to a dermatologist. Generally we experience long wait times and less than stellar service BUT the copays and prescription costs are low. I'd say we are "happy" with Health Plan of Nevada when compared to the alternatives.

I earn part of my income as an independent contractor and just so you are aware, you can write off health care premiums. Might help ease the pain of shelling out $200/mo

[whataboutyou]

Originally Posted by yellowsnow

Get some expert advice. I do know that if you estimate x dollars income and end up making a lot more you could be in big trouble. Go talk to the people who really know!

Doing the relocation process now and not physically in NV right now but today was the deadline for Feb 1st start day so doing it online myself (and GF doing it too). I am self employed so took a guess on income but didn't apply any of the subsidy/credits directly. Since my income is variable, erred on the cautious side and put down less amount and got a big subsidy but chose not to apply it directly to monthly payments. The way I understood it was that I can get the subsidy applied against my taxes at end of 2016 based on my actual income. Figure that was safest. I might get no subsidies if business is good so hopefully I get lucky to pay it all out of pocket


My experience with applying thru someone is that its a sales person and unless you get a referral from someone, it's like working with a sales person... they just try to get you to sign and don't know anything more than 101, if they even know that. Plus, I am self employed so I might get $160 monthly subsidy or no subsidy at all. Most people would look at me funny when I explain this.


Just got finished working with auto insurance "experts" and DMV "experts" and realized how useless they were.

[whataboutyou]

Originally Posted by KandS

Husband and I use Health Plan of Nevada HMO. Last year we had a silver plan, but this year it made sense to downgrade to a high level bronze. We are both around 30 and pay $200/mo each. Picked this plan for the copays. We've seen general doctors, been to urgent care, and to a dermatologist. Generally we experience long wait times and less than stellar service BUT the copays and prescription costs are low. I'd say we are "happy" with Health Plan of Nevada when compared to the alternatives.

I earn part of my income as an independent contractor and just so you are aware, you can write off health care premiums. Might help ease the pain of shelling out $200/mo

I got MyHPN Silver 5 for ~$225 today so pretty similar to your last plan. After reading details, I am expecting exactly what you describe. I got $0 deductible with $1500 out of pocket and nice copays for pretty much everything. Since it is HMO, I am worried about something happening when I'm traveling outside of NV. Also, reviews seem to mention limited specialists and I know phone wait times will be horrible with any insurance at this price point but I'm hoping I don't use the insurance much.


Have you had to argue to get the correct copays/billing or fight for claims for PCP, urgent care, or a specialist? Also, did you get any of the free preventative care? Is it actually free or do doctors order tests and then charge for them?


I went with silver because it was $35 more a month but the deductible went from $6500 to $0 and out of pocket from $6850 to $1500 and instead of everything kicking in only after the ridiculously high deductible is met, there are copays for most things. I wouldn't normally pay $35/month more for something I probably won't use but since it's only an 18% price increase but benefits skyrocket, I figure it is worth it.


Glad to hear someone in the same boat as me

[PinkString]

Good luck finding a good doctor in town. They all seem to be test happy and never quite get to the problem or fix anything. I am still waiting since last June for a doctor to even look at my back/neck/spine. I have zero faith in doctors out here or anywhere for that matter.