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Nevada Medicaid & CHIP

Nevada Medicaid & Nevada Check Up โ€” Free or Low-Cost Coverage for Qualifying Residents

Nevada expanded Medicaid under the ACA. If your income falls below certain thresholds, you or your children may qualify for comprehensive coverage at little or no cost โ€” and a broker can help you check eligibility for free.

  • Nevada Medicaid for qualifying adults under 65
  • Nevada Check Up (CHIP) for children & teens
  • 2026 income eligibility thresholds
  • What Medicaid covers โ€” including adult dental & vision

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Free, no-obligation โ€” a licensed Nevada agent will reach out within one business day.

๐Ÿ”’ Your information is never sold. No cost, no obligation.

Nevada's Public Coverage Programs

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Nevada Medicaid โ€” Adults

Under the ACA Medicaid expansion, Nevada covers adults aged 19โ€“64 with incomes up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (~$21,500/year for a single person). There is no asset test โ€” only income is considered for eligibility.

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Nevada Check Up (CHIP)

Nevada Check Up provides low-cost health coverage for children and teens under 19 in families that earn too much for Medicaid but can't afford private insurance โ€” generally between 138% and 200% FPL. Premiums are very low and coverage is comprehensive.

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Medicaid for Pregnant Women

Pregnant women in Nevada may qualify at higher income levels than the standard adult threshold, ensuring prenatal and delivery care is covered for more families. Coverage can begin immediately upon eligibility determination.

Do You Qualify? 2026 Income Guidelines

Eligibility is based on your household's Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level. These are approximate thresholds โ€” a broker verifies your exact eligibility at no charge.

Household SizeMedicaid Limit (~138% FPL)Nevada Check Up Upper Limit (~200% FPL)
1 person~$21,500/year~$31,200/year
2 people~$29,000/year~$42,000/year
3 people~$36,500/year~$52,900/year
4 people~$44,000/year~$63,700/year
5 people~$51,500/year~$74,600/year

Income above Medicaid but below ~$58,000? You likely qualify for ACA premium tax credits on Nevada Health Link โ€” meaning a subsidized private plan may cost far less than you expect. A broker compares both Medicaid eligibility and marketplace options for your situation, so you know exactly which path is better.

What Nevada Medicaid Covers

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Doctor Visits & Preventive Care

Primary care, specialist visits, wellness exams, vaccinations, and preventive screenings โ€” most with zero or minimal cost-sharing for Medicaid enrollees.

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Hospital & Emergency Care

Inpatient stays, ER care, and surgery are covered. Medicaid's broad network often includes Critical Access Hospitals that some private plans exclude โ€” especially important for rural Nevada residents.

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Prescription Drugs

Nevada Medicaid covers a broad formulary at very low or no copay โ€” significant savings for enrollees managing chronic conditions with ongoing medications.

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Dental & Vision

Unlike most ACA private plans, Nevada Medicaid includes adult dental (cleanings, fillings, extractions) and vision (exams and glasses) โ€” a meaningful advantage over marketplace alternatives.

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Behavioral Health

Mental health treatment, substance use disorder services, and counseling are covered โ€” including both inpatient and outpatient behavioral health care.

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Transportation Assistance

Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) is a Medicaid benefit โ€” particularly valuable for rural Nevada residents traveling long distances to covered medical appointments.

Applying for Nevada Medicaid or Nevada Check Up

๐Ÿ“‹ How to Apply

  • โ†’ Online at dwss.nv.gov or Nevada Health Link
  • โ†’ By phone through the Nevada DWSS helpline
  • โ†’ In person at a local DWSS office
  • โ†’ Through a licensed broker โ€” at no cost to you
  • โ†’ Medicaid is open year-round โ€” no enrollment period

๐Ÿ“„ What You'll Need

  • โœ“ Proof of Nevada residency (utility bill, lease)
  • โœ“ Proof of identity (driver's license or passport)
  • โœ“ Social Security numbers for all household members
  • โœ“ Proof of income (pay stubs, tax return, or self-employment records)
  • โœ“ Immigration status documentation if applicable

Nevada Medicaid & CHIP โ€” FAQ

Can I have Medicaid and a private plan at the same time? +
Generally no โ€” if you qualify for Medicaid, you won't qualify for ACA premium tax credits on Nevada Health Link. The programs are structured to be mutually exclusive at most income levels. However, there are edge cases (mid-year transitions, partial-year eligibility) where a broker helps you navigate the right combination without coverage gaps.
What happens if my income increases and I lose Medicaid eligibility? +
Losing Medicaid eligibility is a Qualifying Life Event that triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period on Nevada Health Link. Report income changes to DWSS promptly. A broker helps you transition from Medicaid to a subsidized marketplace plan without a gap in coverage.
How is Nevada Check Up different from Medicaid? +
Nevada Check Up is Nevada's CHIP program for children under 19 in families whose income is above Medicaid limits but who can't afford private insurance (generally 138โ€“200% FPL). It provides comprehensive coverage โ€” doctor visits, immunizations, dental, vision, prescriptions, and hospital care โ€” at low or no cost to the family.
Does Nevada Medicaid cover dental for adults? +
Yes โ€” Nevada Medicaid includes adult dental benefits, which is not the case in all states. Coverage includes preventive care (cleanings, exams, X-rays) and basic restorative services (fillings, extractions). This is a meaningful advantage over ACA marketplace plans, which generally do not include adult dental coverage.

Not sure if you qualify for Medicaid?

A licensed Nevada broker checks your eligibility for Medicaid, CHIP, and marketplace subsidies โ€” and helps you find the right coverage path. Free, no obligation.

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