How to get Nevada Medicaid or low-cost care

Nevada Medicaid in plain words

Medicaid pays for health care when your income is low. In Nevada, the Division of Social Services decides who can get it. According to KFF, a health policy research group, Nevada's Medicaid expansion started on January 1, 2014.

The state's family coverage group is open to low-income adults and children. Their income can be up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. That level is the dollar amount the government uses each year to measure poverty. The dollar limit goes up with each person in your home.

Children can also join Nevada Check Up, a low-cost plan for uninsured children from birth through age 18. Our Medicaid eligibility guide explains who else can qualify.

Apply on Access Nevada

Access Nevada is the state's website for applying for benefits and managing your account. It starts with a short quiz called a pre-screening tool. You answer a few questions, and the tool tells you which website to use. Look for the button that asks if you qualify for medical assistance.

You can also mail in a paper form called the Application for Health Insurance. Send it to the address printed on the form, and keep a copy for yourself. If you would rather talk to a person, you have three phone lines to choose from.

• If you live in southern Nevada, you can call (702) 486-1646.
• If you live in northern Nevada, you can call (775) 684-7200.
• From anywhere in the state, you can call toll free at (800) 992-0900.

State offices are open on weekdays, and papers that the state asks for can be emailed to welfare@dss.nv.gov. The state also warns that its staff will never call you about your medical records, benefits or prescriptions. If someone does, hang up and call local law enforcement. Our guide to how to apply for Medicaid lists the papers to gather.

Hospitals can help you start

Nevada lets some hospitals start your coverage right away. The name for this is hospital presumptive eligibility. A qualified hospital can decide from early facts that you will likely qualify for Medicaid. Your coverage can then begin while the state works on your full application. A hospital financial counselor can tell you if the hospital takes part.

The work rule that starts January 1, 2027

The state says new Medicaid rules take effect on January 1, 2027. Some Nevada members will need to work, volunteer or go to school to keep their coverage. Many people are exempt, which means the rule does not apply to them.

The state lists people who are 65 or older, people with a disability and pregnant people. It also lists people with serious physical or mental health conditions. American Indians and Alaska Natives are exempt too. Under the federal wording, parents and caregivers of a dependent child 13 or younger are also exempt.

The state tells members to take four steps now.

• Update your contact information so that notices reach you.
• Find out whether the rule applies to you.
• Learn what you would need to show the state.
• Check your renewal date, because affected members must show on that date that they met the rule.

Do not wait until the last day to act. Our Medicaid work requirement guide explains what counts.

What if your income is above the limit?

Nevada runs its own marketplace, called Nevada Health Link. A marketplace is a website where you compare private health plans. The Silver State Health Insurance Exchange runs it, and the call center number is 1-800-547-2927. The site says enrollment for 2027 plans runs from November 1 to January 15. It lists free, trained helpers near you, and it has pages for mixed-status families and for tribal members.

Nevada Health Link also offers Battle Born State Plans. The site says these plans follow the same rules as other marketplace plans. They are meant to lower your monthly cost. With a tax credit, the government pays part of your monthly plan bill. Credits that the federal government added during the pandemic ended after 2025. In 2026 and 2027, you cannot get a tax credit if you earn more than 400 percent of the poverty level, which is four times that yearly amount.

Where to find a health center or check a license

The Nevada Primary Care Association supports the state's community health centers. Its website has a Find a Health Center page. Each center sets its fees by your income and family size. Ask about the fee scale before your first visit, and bring proof of your income. HRSA, the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, also has a free search tool. Our community health center guide lists questions to ask on your first call.

The Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners offers a Licensee Lookup for patients. It shows if a doctor's license is good and lists any public discipline.

Cash-pay doctors and emergencies

Some doctors in Nevada charge a flat monthly fee for primary care. This is called direct primary care, and the fee is not insurance. You can search for cash-pay doctors by location in our directory. Before you join, have the office spell out in writing what the monthly fee pays for.

If you have chest pain, trouble breathing or any other emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. By federal law, the hospital must examine you and stabilize your condition, even if you cannot pay. Our guide to hospital financial assistance explains how to ask for help with the bill afterward.