Medicare beneficiaries in Nevada can choose to enroll in Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, for their coverage or join a private insurance plan called Medicare Advantage (also called Medicare Part C). If you choose Original Medicare, you may also add private Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) and/or a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan to your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage.

Keep in mind that not all Medicare plans sold in Nevada will be available in each county.

Types of Medicare coverage in Nevada

• Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, refers to federal Medicare coverage. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital care and Medicare Part B covers outpatient care, such as doctor services and durable medical equipment. Coverage is available to eligible beneficiaries in any state in the United States.
• Medicare Advantage plans, Part C, are Medicare insurance plans sold by private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare. Plan details can vary depending on your area; I recommend that you explore all available options to find the one that works best with your needs.
• Medicare Supplement insurance is sold by private insurance companies and can be used to fill in “gaps” in Original Medicare, like copayments and deductibles. Medicare Supplement insurance, also known as Medigap, can feature up to 10 plans in most states, each with a letter designation (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, or N). Plan details of each letter are the same no matter where the plan is purchased. For example, Plan B includes the same benefits no matter which insurance company you buy it from.
• Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) offer stand-alone prescription drug coverage. These plans add prescription coverage to your Original Medicare, Part A and/or Part B, coverage. You can also get Medicare Part D coverage through a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan (MAPD). Both types of plans are sold by private insurance companies. Costs and coverage details may vary.

Local resources for Medicare in Nevada

• Medicare Savings Programs in Nevada: Nevada residents whose income is below a certain amount may be eligible for Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). You can apply to see if you qualify for help with out-of-pocket Medicare costs.
• Nevada State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (SHIP): The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides information to beneficiaries in Nevada through a statewide network of volunteers.

How to apply for Medicare in Nevada

To apply for Medicare in Nevada, you must be a United States citizen or legal permanent resident of at least five continuous years. You’re generally eligible when you are 65 or older, but you may qualify under 65 through disability or having certain conditions. You can automatically qualify by disability if you have been receiving disability benefits for at least two years.

In some situations, Medicare enrollment occurs automatically. You may not have to do anything to enroll in Medicare if any of the following applies to you:

• You receive Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits before 65. You can apply for Medicare at the time you apply for retirement benefits. You’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare on the first day of the month that you turn 65; if your birthday falls on the first day of the month, you’ll be automatically enrolled on the first day of the month before you turn 65.
• You’ve been getting Social Security Administration disability benefits (or certain RRB disability benefits) for 24 months; you’ll be automatically enrolled starting the 25th month of disability benefits.
• You have Lou Gehrig’s disease; you’ll be automatically enrolled the month your disability benefits start.

If you have end-stage renal disease, you may also be eligible for Medicare coverage, even if you are under 65. However, you will need to manually apply for Medicare through Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.

If you aren’t yet receiving retirement benefits when you turn 65, you’ll need to manually enroll in Medicare. If you do need to apply for Medicare manually, you may visit your local Social Security office, register online, or enroll over the phone.

• Visit the Social Security website.
• Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 7AM to 7PM.
• If you worked for a railroad, call the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772 (TTY users call 312-751-4701), Monday through Friday, 9AM to 3:30PM.

When looking to join a Medicare Advantage, Medigap, or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, you may enroll by contacting the plan directly, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also contact a licensed insurance broker, such as eHealth, for personalized assistance.

Do you have questions about your Medicare plan options in Nevada? We'd be happy to help you. Please call: 702-435-1160 or email us at: info@nvinsurance.com. We are available Monday-Thursday from 9am-5pm and Fridays from 9am-3pm.