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Learn About Requirements for Medicaid in Nevada

Residents wondering, “What are the requirements for Medicaid in Nevada?” are not on their own. Understanding how to qualify for Medicaid in Nevada is crucial for applicants who want to enjoy benefits from the federal- and state-funded program. While the federal government sets the guidelines for Medicaid benefits eligibility, state officials determine who is eligible for Medicaid in Nevada. As a result, states must follow the Medicaid eligibility requirements of the federal government and cover mandatory groups and provide mandatory benefits in order to receive funding for the program. Medicaid is a comprehensive health care insurance program that helps needy people afford medical coverage by paying for some or all of their medical bills. For candidates that meet eligibility for Medicaid in NV, the program can be highly beneficial. Candidates must meet various income requirements that depend on with which group they qualify for benefit. For petitioners looking to meet eligibility requirements for Medicaid in Nevada, it has never been easier. After the state accepted the expansion of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many more people were able to qualify for Medicaid in NV. The goal of the ACA was to extend health care coverage to individuals who previously were unable to qualify for Medicaid coverage due to their income being too high. Due to the ACA being enacted in Nevada, many more Medicaid petitioners were able to receive coverage from one of the plans managed by Medicaid.

Who qualifies for Medicaid in Nevada?

Those who meet the income requirements for Nevada Medicaid and fit into an eligibility group will receive health care coverage under the program. Low-income parents or caretakers meet the requirements for Medicaid eligibility if they have dependent children who are younger than 19 years of age, which includes pregnant women. Likewise, if their mother was eligible for the Medicaid program at the time of their birth, newborn children remain eligible for one full year after birth, provided they live in the same place as the mother. Individuals who were enrolled in Medicaid at the 18 years of age while in foster care are eligible for Medicaid in Nevada until 26 years of age. Medicaid benefits eligibility is available for disabled and blind people who can provide their caseworker with official documentation. Families living in households with blind, disabled or elderly (older than 65 years of age) members may request Medicaid coverage on their behalf.

Women who are younger than 65 years of age and uninsured or underinsured will qualify for Medicaid in NV if they have been screened for breast and cervical cancer by the CDC and are found to need cancer treatment. Illegal non-citizens or those who have another status that is not covered in other eligible categories can receive emergency medical assistance on a month-by-month basis. These applicants must still meet all other eligibility requirements except for citizenship.

Find out how Medicaid-qualified households receive health care coverage for costly medical procedures and treatments in our free guide.

How do I qualify for Medicaid in Nevada?

In order to qualify for Medicaid in Nevada a petitioner must have an income characterized as low by the government. In order to meet Medicaid eligibility requirements in Nevada, candidates must be current residents of the state. Petitioners must also be a U.S. citizen, national, permanent resident or legal alien in need of health care insurance assistance.

In addition to the basic Medicaid requirements, petitioners must qualify by earnings. What are the income requirements for Medicaid in Nevada? Nevada Medicaid eligibility requirements pertaining to income are structured around the federal poverty level (FPL). This financial marker of determining Medicaid benefits eligibility considers the size of the family and larger households will have higher income limits. Medicaid can provide health care coverage to households with income up to 138 percent of the FPL. However, children younger than 19 years of age with incomes up to 205 percent of the FPL will also be eligible for medical coverage.

Petitioners may also be able to qualify for Medicaid under the Medical Assistance to Aged, Blind and Disabled (MAABD) group. Income requirements for MAABD-eligible individuals include:

  • People who are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits
  • Nursing facility residents with a monthly income up to 300 percent of the SSI payment level
  • Employed individuals who are 16 to 64 years of age with a disability and a combined net earned and unearned income of up to 250 percent of the FPL
What are the Medicaid application guidelines in Nevada?

Once prospective applicants know what are the requirements for Medicaid in Nevada, they should apply to the program. Applications for Medicaid in Nevada are always rolling, meaning that there is no deadline for applying to Medicaid. Individuals should simply determine if they meet Medicaid eligibility requirements and submit their application online. Petitioners unsure if they meet the Medicaid benefits eligibility requirements, can use an online screening tool on the state website to help determine if they qualify or not. If a candidate does qualify for Medicaid in Nevada, he or she will be able to access them immediately.

Learn how to apply for Medicaid by reviewing the information in our guide.