2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 695K - Public Option › NRS 695K.210 - Application for federal waivers and approvals; acceptance of gifts, grants and donations; deposit of money; contracts for services. [Effective January 1, 2026.]

1. The Director, the Commissioner and the Executive Director of the Exchange:
(a) Shall collaborate to apply to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for a waiver pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 18052 to obtain pass-through federal funding to carry out the provisions of this chapter; and
(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, may collaboratively apply to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for any other federal waivers or approval necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, including, without limitation, and to the extent necessary, a waiver pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1315 of Title XIX of the Social Security Act. Such waivers or approval may include, without limitation, any waiver or approval necessary to:
(1) Combine risk pools for the Public Option with risk pools established for Medicaid, if the Director can demonstrate that doing so would lower costs, result in savings to the federal and state governments and not increase the costs of private insurance or Medicaid; or
(2) Obtain federal financial participation to subsidize the cost of health insurance for residents of this State with low incomes.
2. In preparing an application for any waiver described in subsection 1, the Director, the Commissioner and the Executive Director of the Exchange may contract with an independent actuary to assess the impact of the Public Option on the markets for health care and health insurance in this State and health coverage for natural persons, families and small businesses. The actuary must have specialized expertise or experience with state health insurance exchanges, the type of waiver for which the application is being made, measures to contain the costs of providing health coverage, reforming procedures for the purchasing and delivery of governmental services and Medicaid managed care programs. A contract pursuant to this subsection is exempt from the provisions of chapter 333 of NRS.
3. The Director, the Commissioner and the Executive Director of the Exchange shall:
(a) Cooperate with the Federal Government in obtaining any waiver for which he or she applies pursuant to this section.
(b) Deposit any money received from the Federal Government pursuant to such a waiver in the Trust Fund.
4. The Director, the Commissioner and the Executive Director of the Exchange shall not apply under the provisions of subsection 1 to waive any provision of federal law prescribing conditions of eligibility to purchase a qualified health plan, as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 18021, through the Exchange or receive federal advanced payment of premium tax credits pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 18082 for such a purchase.
5. The Director may:
(a) Accept gifts, grants and donations to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The Director shall deposit any such gifts, grants or donations in the Trust Fund.
(b) Employ or enter into contracts with actuaries and other professionals and may enter into contracts with other state agencies, health carriers or other qualified persons and entities as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Such contracts are exempt from the requirements of chapter 333 of NRS.
(Added to NRS by 2021, 3618, effective January 1, 2026)