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11.02.2026

Medicaid and Nevada Health Link Open Enrollment Begins November 1st!

Health Coverage Open Enrollment Begins November 1: What Nevada Families Need to Know

Health coverage helps children get the care they need to grow and thrive. It can help pay for checkups, vaccines, prescriptions, emergency care, dental visits, and other important services.

Starting November 1, 2026, Nevada families can shop for 2027 health insurance through Nevada Health Link. Open enrollment continues through January 15, 2027.

Families should also know that Nevada Medicaid does not have a limited open enrollment period. You may apply for Medicaid at any time during the year. If you are currently on Medicaid and want to change your health insurance provider (MCO or Managed Care Organization), you can make the switch during the annual open enrollment period, between November 1 and December 15, 2026.

What Is Nevada Medicaid?

Nevada Medicaid is health insurance that helps many people who can't afford medical care pay for some or all of their medical bills. This program is available only to certain low-income individuals and families in Nevada who fit into an eligibility group that is recognized by Federal and state law.

Children may qualify for Nevada Medicaid or Nevada Check Up, even if their parents do not qualify. Because eligibility rules can be different for children and adults, families should apply rather than assume their income is too high.

You can apply for Medicaid at any time through Access Nevada. You can also use Access Nevada to renew your coverage, report household changes, or update your contact information.

If your family already has Medicaid, make sure the state has your current:

• Mailing address
• Phone number
• Email address
• Household and income information

Keeping this information up to date can help you receive important notices about your coverage or renewal.

If you want to change your Managed Care Organization (MCO), you must complete a Change Form. Click here to learn more about the process, including information on how to pick a health plan.

What Is Nevada Health Link?

Nevada Health Link is Nevada’s official health insurance marketplace. It allows individuals and families to compare and buy private health insurance plans. Depending on your household income and family size, you may qualify for financial help that lowers your monthly cost. Nevada Health Link is the only place in Nevada where families can receive federal tax credits or subsidies for marketplace coverage.

Plans offered through Nevada Health Link cover important services, including doctor visits, hospital care, emergency services, prescription medicine, mental health care, maternity care, and care for pre-existing health conditions. Families can also explore dental and vision coverage, as well as the new Battle Born State Plans.

For 2027 coverage, families can compare available health and dental plans before enrolling. Plan costs, provider networks, and covered medicines may change from year to year, so current members should also review their options instead of allowing their coverage to renew without checking it.

Medicaid or Nevada Health Link: What Is the Difference?

Here is a simple way to understand the two programs:

Nevada Medicaid

• A government health coverage program
• Usually free or very low cost for eligible families
• Based on income and other eligibility rules
• Applications are accepted all year
• Families apply through Access Nevada
• Children may qualify even when their parents do not

Nevada Health Link

• Nevada’s marketplace for private health insurance plans
• Families compare plans from different insurance companies
• Financial help may lower monthly premiums and other costs
• Most people enroll during the annual open enrollment period
• Families apply at NevadaHealthLink.com
• The 2027 open enrollment period runs from November 1, 2026, through January 15, 2027

You do not need to decide on your own which program is right for your family. When you apply, the information you provide helps determine which type of coverage may be available to members of your household.

It is also possible for family members to qualify for different programs. For example, a child may qualify for Medicaid or Nevada Check Up while a parent enrolls in a private plan through Nevada Health Link.

When Will Nevada Health Link Coverage Begin?

The date your coverage begins depends on when you enroll.

If you enroll through Nevada Health Link by December 31, 2026, your coverage can begin on January 1, 2027. If you enroll between January 1 and January 15, 2027, your coverage can begin on February 1, 2027.

Do not wait until the final day. Applying early gives you more time to compare costs, check whether your doctors are included, and make sure your family’s medicines are covered.

Outside open enrollment, some families may still enroll through Nevada Health Link after a major life change. These changes may include having a baby, getting married, moving, or losing other health coverage. This is called a Special Enrollment Period. In many cases, you have up to 60 days after the event to enroll.

What Should Families Have Ready?

Before starting an application, gather information for each person in your household, such as:

• Birth dates
• Social Security numbers, if applicable
• Home and mailing addresses
• Current health insurance information
• Recent pay stubs or other income records
• Information about your employer’s health coverage, if offered
• Immigration documents, if applicable

For Nevada Health Link, the cost of coverage and the amount of financial help available depend on factors such as where you live, who is in your household, and your annual household income.

Free Help Is Available

You do not have to complete the process alone. Nevada Health Link offers free help from trained and certified enrollment professionals who can explain your options and help you complete an application. Families can find local assistance or call 1-800-547-2927.

To apply for Medicaid, renew coverage, or report changes, visit AccessNevada.nv.gov. Families may also contact Nevada’s social services offices at 702-486-1646 in Southern Nevada or 775-684-7200 in Northern Nevada.

Taking time now to review your family’s health coverage can help prevent gaps in care. Whether your family qualifies for Medicaid, Nevada Check Up, or a plan through Nevada Health Link, having coverage can make it easier for young children to receive regular care when they need it.