Nevada Medicaid for Senior Care
Complete guide to Medicaid eligibility, coverage, and application process for nursing homes, assisted living, and home care in Nevada.
7.6 million Medicaid long-term care recipients nationwide
Nevada Division of Health Care Financing and Policy (DHCFP)
Processing Time
30-45 days for standard Medicaid; waiver programs take 90-180 days due to strict enrollment caps and waiting lists. Nevada has some of the longest waiver waiting times nationally.
Nevada Medicaid Eligibility Requirements (2026)
To qualify for Medicaid long-term care in Nevada, applicants must meet both financial eligibility criteria (income and assets) and medical criteria (level of care needs). Nevada follows federal Medicaid guidelines with some state-specific variations.
Income Limits
Individual Applicant
$2,982/month
Married Couple (One Applying)
$5,964/month
Income includes Social Security, pensions, annuities, interest, dividends, and rental income.
Asset Limits
Individual Applicant
$2,000
Community Spouse (At-Home Spouse)
$3,000
Primary residence, one vehicle, personal belongings, and prepaid burial arrangements are exempt from asset limits.
5-Year Look-Back Period
Nevada Medicaid reviews all financial transactions for the 60 months prior to application. Asset transfers or gifts during this period can result in a penalty period of Medicaid ineligibility. The penalty is calculated by dividing the transferred amount by $9,144/month average (semi-private), $10,023/month (private) (the average monthly nursing home cost in Nevada).
Medical Eligibility
Applicants must demonstrate need for nursing facility level of care through a state assessment. This typically requires assistance with 2-3 Activities of Daily Living (bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, eating) or cognitive impairment requiring supervision.
Assessments are performed by state-designated evaluators (nurses or social workers) and typically take 45-90 minutes. The assessment can occur at home, in a hospital, or at the care facility.
What Medicaid Covers in Nevada
Nursing Home Care
Medicaid pays 100% of nursing home costs in Nevada once eligibility is established. The average monthly cost is $9,144/month average (semi-private), $10,023/month (private). Recipients contribute most of their monthly income toward care costs, keeping only $50-75 for personal needs.
Coverage includes room, board, 24-hour nursing care, meals, medications, therapy services, and all medical care provided at the facility.
Assisted Living Coverage
Assisted Living Waiver: Nevada is one of the few states with a dedicated Medicaid waiver specifically for assisted living. This waiver covers room, board, personal care services, and medication management for eligible seniors living in licensed assisted living facilities. Unlike most states, Nevada's Medicaid does cover room and board costs through this waiver program, making assisted living financially accessible for low-income seniors.
Important: Nevada is one of the few states where Medicaid covers both care services AND room and board in assisted living facilities.
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers
Nevada offers 3 HCBS waiver programs that provide in-home care and community services as an alternative to nursing facility placement.
Frail Elderly Waiver
Serves individuals age 65+ who meet nursing facility level of care. Provides adult day care, case management, chore services, home-delivered meals, homemaker services, non-medical transportation, personal care services, and respite care. Approximately 800 participants statewide. Nevada has notably strict enrollment caps leading to waiting lists.
Program Details →Assisted Living Waiver
Unique among states—Nevada has a dedicated assisted living waiver serving individuals who meet nursing facility level of care but choose to reside in licensed assisted living facilities. Covers room, board, personal care, and medication management services. Limited slots (approximately 500 participants) with waiting lists common.
Program Details →Community Options Program for the Elderly (COPE)
State-funded (not Medicaid waiver) program for seniors age 60+ who do not meet nursing facility level of care but need assistance to remain at home. Provides case management, adult day care, respite, home-delivered meals. Acts as a preventive program to delay or prevent nursing home admission.
Program Details →How to Apply for Medicaid in Nevada
Nevada Medicaid applications typically take 30-45 days for standard Medicaid; waiver programs take 90-180 days due to strict enrollment caps and waiting lists. Nevada has some of the longest waiver waiting times nationally.. Starting the process early and submitting complete documentation helps avoid delays.
Application Methods
You can apply for Medicaid in Nevada through:
- Online at dwss.nv.gov (Nevada Welfare Division portal)
- Phone: 1-800-992-0900 (English) or 1-702-486-1646 (Spanish)
- Download application at dhcfp.nv.gov and mail to local Division of Welfare and Supportive Services office
- In-person at local DWSS office
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
Before starting your application, collect:
- •Birth certificate and Social Security card
- •Proof of citizenship (passport, naturalization)
- •5 years of bank statements
- •Investment and retirement account statements
- •Property deeds and mortgage statements
- •Life insurance policies
- •Social Security award letter
- •Pension benefit statements
- •Medicare card
- •Doctor's statement of care needs
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Complete and submit your application through one of the methods listed above. If applying online or by mail, keep copies of all submitted documents.
Step 3: Medical Assessment
A state assessor will evaluate level of care needs. This assessment typically takes 45-90 minutes and covers functional abilities, medical needs, cognitive status, and safety concerns.
Step 4: Financial Review
Medicaid staff review all financial documents and investigate any transfers or gifts made in the past 60 months. They may request additional documentation during this process.
Step 5: Receive Determination
You'll receive written notification of approval or denial. Approved applications include the effective date of coverage (often retroactive up to 3 months), patient responsibility amount, and covered services.
Get Free Application Help
Free Medicaid application assistance is available in Nevada from:
- •Area Agency on Aging: Call 1-800-677-1116 (Eldercare Locator) to find your local office
- •SHIP counselors: Free Medicare/Medicaid counseling
- •Nursing facility social workers: In-facility application support
- •Elder law attorneys: Paid help for complex financial situations ($2,000-$5,000)
Nevada-Specific Programs and Resources
Medicare Savings Programs (QMB/SLMB/QI)
QMB pays Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. SLMB pays Medicare Part B premiums. QI pays Part B premiums (limited funding).
Learn MoreNevada Check-Up (CHIP)
Nevada's Children's Health Insurance Program providing low-cost health coverage for children up to age 19.
Learn MoreNeed Help with Nevada Medicaid?
Contact Nevada Division of Health Care Financing and Policy (DHCFP) for specific questions about eligibility, application status, or covered services.