CARSON CITY, Nev. (Oct. 11, 2024) – With efforts to address health equity and accessibility to health care in rural communities, Nevada Health Link and Family Respite Care of Nevada hosted a free, open-house-style brunch in Elko, Nev. today, October 11. The joint event brought together members of the community, businesses, and the media and aimed to introduce various health care services that are available directly in the Elko community, including health insurance options and respite care.
Special remarks were made by Russell Cook, Executive Director of Nevada Health Link; Korine Viehweg, Executive Director of Family Respite Care of Nevada; Renee Denny, Director of Programs of Family Respite Care of Nevada; and the event concluded with a testimonial from the Tom family who receives ongoing support from Family Respite Care.
“For 29 years, Family Respite Care of Nevada, originally founded as the Northern Nevada RAVE Family Foundation, has been dedicated to supporting families raising children with special needs. We are excited to expand our services to the Elko community, having launched a pilot program in November 2021 with the support of a grant from the State of Nevada. This marked the return of respite services to Elko after a six-year gap,” said Korine Viehweg, executive director of Family Respite Care of Nevada.
“With more than 1,300 children with qualifying diagnoses in Elko and over 67,000 across Nevada, our goal is to continue expanding our reach statewide, providing vital respite care for families who need it most. Our mission is to improve the well-being of caregivers by offering them time to focus on their own mental, emotional, and physical health while their children are cared for in a safe, fun, and social environment,” continued Viehweg.
As part of its outreach efforts across the state, Nevada Health Link is also working to make health care more accessible for tribal members through its new Tribal Partnership Program, being developed in collaboration with tribal governments across Nevada. This initiative aims to address the unique complexities that members of Nevada’s 28 federally recognized tribes face when navigating health care coverage through the Indian Health Service, state, and private programs.
“Nevada is a wonderful state that is rooted deeply in a sense of community, and we see that flourish especially within our rural communities like Elko. But living in our beautiful rural areas should not come at the expense of basic necessities, like health care. Nevada Health Link is dedicated to serving all Nevadans, no matter where they live in the state, by providing affordable and high-quality health insurance options,” said Russell Cook, executive director of Nevada Health Link. “This open enrollment, we’re proud to announce that 31 plan options will be available to individuals living in Elko, along with dedicated brokers in the area and can provide free enrollment assistance.”
Today’s Elko event comes just three weeks before Nevada Health Link’s 2025 Plan Year Open Enrollment Period which begins on November 1, 2024. Open Enrollment runs through January 15, 2025, and is the only time of year Nevadans can freely enroll in health insurance, without needing a Qualifying Life Event. Nevadans can now explore and compare health insurance plans on NevadaHealthLink.com ahead of the Open Enrollment Period.
For more information about the 2025 Plan Year Open Enrollment and to find assistance in your area, call the customer support line at 1-800-547-2927 or visit www.NevadaHealthLink.com.
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ABOUT NEVADA HEALTH LINK
NevadaHealthLink.com is Nevada’s online health insurance marketplace for qualified and affordable health plans. NevadaHealthLink.com is operated by the state agency, the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange, and is the only place where qualifying consumers can receive federal tax credits to help lower the costs of monthly premiums. The state-based marketplace offers over 140 different plan options across eight health insurance carriers. Nevada Health Link also partners with multiple dental carriers and offers vision plans through VSP. Nevada Health Link is ideal for those who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid and do not have employer-sponsored health insurance. Open Enrollment Period runs from November 1 through January 15. Outside of the Open Enrollment Period, Nevadans who have experienced a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) such as loss of insurance, getting married or divorced, moving or having a baby, can qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. For Nevadans who are not renewed for Medicaid benefits during the redetermination process, qualifying accounts will automatically be transferred to Nevada Health Link. For more information, visit NevadaHealthLink.com; subscribe to Nevada Health Link’s YouTube channel; like us on Facebook or follow on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Nevada Health Link encourages consumers to use the free assistance of a licensed enrollment professional by calling 1-800-547-2927 or by visiting NevadaHealthLink.com.
