Medicare in Nevada
Key Takeaways
- Original MedicareOriginal Medicare is a fee-for-service health insurance program available to Americans aged 65 and older and some individuals with disabilities. Original Medicare is provided by the federal government and is made up of two parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). is an option at age 65. It features hospital (Part A) and medical (Part B) coverage with the option of adding drug (Part D) and supplemental (Medigap) coverage.
- Medicare AdvantageMedicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) is health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older that blends Medicare benefits with private health insurance. This typically includes a bundle of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). in Nevada substitutes for Original Medicare while usually bundling drug and supplemental coverage like dental and vision.
- Medicaid offers some similar coverages, but eligibility is based on need regardless of age. If you’re 65, you may qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.
The state of Nevada has one slot machine for every two or so Medicare beneficiaries.
Testing your luck against a one-armed bandit is one thing, but pressing your luck when it comes to healthcare? That’s a losing proposition.
If you call Nevada home and have questions about Medicare, here’s the deal.
Who Qualifies for Medicare in Nevada?
Simply put, if you’re a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and age 65 or older, you qualify for Medicare in Nevada.
You’re also eligible regardless of your age if you have End Stage Renal Disease or Lou Gehrig’s disease (also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS). You also qualify if you have received 24 monthly payments of Social Security Disability Insurance or Railroad Board benefits.
What exactly is Medicare in Nevada?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B)
Part A covers a portion of your hospital-related expenses. Part B covers a portion of your other medical expenses.
Part D
Part D can be added to Original Medicare to cover a portion of your prescription drug expenses.
Medigap
A Medigap policy can be added to Original Medicare to help with deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and, in some cases, to create an out-of-pocket maximum.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage bundles the above coverages (including an out-of-pocket maximum) while offering additional benefits like dental and vision coverage.
Looking for a plan with prescription drug coverage?
How Do I Apply for Medicare in Nevada?
Your choices for applying for Medicare in NV include:
- Enrolling online with the Social Security Administration.
- Visiting a local Social Security office.
- Enrolling over the phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).
Who Qualifies for Medicaid in Nevada?
Each state has its own plan for administering Medicaid, a federal/state program founded alongside Medicare in 1965 that helps those facing a financial need and/or disability regardless of age. The state of Nevada calls its Medicaid services Access Nevada, and the state has set up for a quick questionnaire to help residents determine whether they qualify for programs under the Medicaid umbrella.
Let’s find your ideal Medicare Advantage plan.
Does Nevada Have Free Healthcare?
Medicaid through Access Nevada can provide some free assistance to those who qualify. For Medicare beneficiaries not eligible for Medicaid but facing financial need, the state’s Medicare Beneficiaries program may help.
Also, while not free:
- The state of Nevada helps low-income residents who are on Medicare but not eligible for Medicaid with prescription costs through its Senior Rx Program.
- Medicare beneficiaries who have paid employment taxes for at least 10 years don’t have to pay a monthly premium for Part A of Original Medicare. However, the coverage is not free because of the deductibles, copays, and coinsurance responsibilities associated with Medicare plans in Nevada.
What Medicare Plans Are Available in Nevada?
Original Medicare, Parts A and B, is the same nationwide, with the option to add Part D and Medigap coverage from private insurance companies.
In the case of Medicare Advantage, there are many plans in Nevada.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans mirror Original Medicare but are more affordable.
- Most Medicare Advantage plans include options for prescription drug, dental, vision, and hearing coverage.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans offer assistance with transportation costs or over-the-counter needs.
- Some offer all of the above.
What are the Top Medicare Advantage Plans?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has a Medicare Star Rating system that assigns a rating of one to five stars (five being the highest-rated) to individual Medicare Advantage plans.
If you’re already on a Medicare Advantage plan and it’s not five-star, you are offered the opportunity to switch to a five-star plan each year.
While the rating system can shed light on Medicare Advantage plans’ performance, it’s not as easy as just picking the highest-rated plan. A GoHealth licensed insurance agent, without obligation, can help you compare plans and find the one that’s the right fit for you.
Let’s find your ideal Medicare Advantage plan.
Thousands of older adults enroll in Medicare every day across the United States. The latest CMS data shows that 504,905 people are enrolled in Medicare Part A and B in Nevada. The total number of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage increased from 210,894 to 231,439 year over year. Medicare Advantage participation in Nevada went from 43.33% to 45.84% year over year. If you’d like to dive deeper into how Medicare in Nevada breaks down across the state, we provide a glance at who is using Medicare and how.
504,905 Beneficiaries with Part A & Part B
231,439 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
45.84% Medicare Advantage Participation Rate
52.42% Female
47.58% Male
74.28% Non-Hispanic White
6.68% African American
9.45% Hispanic
9.59% Other/Unknown
16.13% Eligible for Medicaid
0.95 Average HCC Score
$11,196.46 Actual Per Capita Costs
20.04% Hospital Readmission Rate
25.49% % of Beneficiaries with an Emergency Department Visit
210,894 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries, Previous Year
Increased Medicare Advantage, Year over year
43.33% Medicare Advantage Participation Rate, Previous Year
Table reflects the latest Beneficiary Demographics Data: Medicare Geographic Variation – by National, State & County
Average HCC Score: The Hierarchical Condition Category score gauges a population’s overall health. The score is based on a value of 1.0. Populations with an HCC score of less than 1.0 are considered relatively healthy. The score can be used to estimate health costs.
Nevada Medicare SHIP
https://adsd.nv.gov/Programs/Seniors/SHIP/SHIP_Prog/
What should I know about Nevada SHIP?
The state’s Aging and Disability Services division administers the federally sponsored program that provides free, unbiased Medicare advice.
Senior Medicare Patrol
https://adsd.nv.gov/Programs/Seniors/SMP/SMP_Prog/
What should I know about the Senior Medicare Patrol?
Helps Medicare beneficiaries protect themselves against fraud and deal with potential billing errors.
Access Nevada
https://accessnevada.dwss.nv.gov/public/landing-page
What should I know about Access Nevada?
This state organization administers the federal Medicaid program and other cost-savings programs geared toward residents in need.
Veterans Benefits Administration
Phone lines open M-F, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
https://www.va.gov/southern-nevada-health-care/
What should I know about the Department of Veterans Affairs?
Helps Nevada’s veterans and their families secure the health-related benefits due for their service.
Nationwide Resources
Speak with a GoHealth insurance agent that is licensed in Nevada about your Medicare questions.
Mon – Fri, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. CT
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
You can reach the Social Security Administration by phone for general questions. Not all questions can be answered over the phone.
Also, SSA.gov provides online resources for the following: Review information, apply for benefits, or manage your account online
1-800-722-1213
TTY 1-800-325-0778
Speak to SSA Representative, Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 7 PM ET
Medicare Learning Guides
Healthcare is personal. So is choosing insurance. If you are new to Medicare, a beneficiary researching options, or a caregiver, we have tailored Medicare Guides for you.
Before 65 Guide
Understanding health insurance before age 65, especially when considering early retirement
Medicare Plans Guide
Costs, coverage and enrollment details for each Medicare plan
Medicare Beneficiary Guide
For those currently enrolled in Medicare
Low Income and Medicare Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
A Caregiver's Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
Sources
- Apply for Benefits. SSA.gov.
- Social Security Office Locator. SSA.gov.
- Access Nevada. NV.gov.
- Medical Programs — General Information. NV.gov.
- Aging Services — Senior Rx. NV.gov.
- Special Enrollment Periods. Medicare.gov.
This website is operated by GoHealth, LLC., a licensed health insurance company. The website and its contents are for informational and educational purposes; helping people understand Medicare in a simple way. The purpose of this website is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by a licensed insurance agent/producer or insurance company. Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Our mission is to help every American get better health insurance and save money.
Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.