As of January 1, 2020 Nevada hospitals can know longer balance bill patients for medical services.  Accidents and illnesses can happen to anyone.  We purchase health insurance for protection, to protect us from costly medical bills.  The average cost of emergency services in Nevada can amount to over $10,000. The average cost of inpatient hospital services can be over $100,000.  

There are different types of health insurance available in Nevada. One common form is major medical insurance. Major medical insurance contains things like a deductible, co-insurance, co-payment, and out of pocket maximum limits.  These are  medical expenses that consumers are responsible for.  When consumers purchase major medical insurance they are agreeing to specified terms and conditions. One being the use of medical providers and facilities. 

When a health plan member visits an in network medical facility they are agreeing to pay there share of allowable medical expenses. However, before AB469 was passed hospitals would allow non health plan doctors to provide medical services.  Providers would submit payment request to a consumers health plan for payment when the health insurance company deny the claim the full amount for medical services  is then sent to the patient for payment.  This is wrong. AB469 stops non  contractor providers  with balance billing patients. The only charges patients is responsible for is there share under the health insurance plan the consumer has enrolled in. 

After you have completed your health insurance application and selected a health insurance plan for 2019, you should have received your first invoice. It is imperative the first invoice is paid prior to December 31, 2018. If the invoice is late or not paid prior December 31, 2018 your medical insurance policy may cancel leaving you with no medical insurance for 2019 unless you qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP). 

Health insurance plans purchased through the Health insurance Marketplace or State exchange does have a 90 day grace period however this grace period does not apply for the first payment. 

Contact your health insurance carrier today to schedule your first payment. Some health insurance companies would even offer auto-payment options to insure that your protected for 2019. 

Need help contacting your health insurance company? Contact Insurance Group of Nevada or your local independent insurance broker today.