The Medicaid Income Limit is the most important criteria for deciding whether you qualify for Medicaid in your state. In this post, we are going to explain in detail the Nevada Medicaid Income Limits for 2021.
Based on this information, you will be able to determine whether your income qualifies you for Nevada Medicaid or not.
However, before we get into details about the income limit, we will first explain the Medicaid program in Nevada and how it works.
Next, we will discuss who is eligible for Medicaid, including how eligibility works for various categories, including Children, Pregnant Women, and Adults.
What is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a federal and state health insurance program for people with a low income.
It provides free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans, including families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers health coverage to children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid, but who can’t afford private coverage.
How Many People are on Medicaid?
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as of November 2020, here are the number of people enrolled in Medicaid and Chip in the entire United States:
- 78,521,263 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP
- 72,204,587 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid
- 6,695,834 individuals were enrolled in CHIP
Nevada Medicaid
The Nevada Medicaid program provides medical coverage to low-income individuals and families.
As of 2020, the program, along with the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covered 742,656 people.
This includes 330,000 children as shown by the image below.
In Nevada, Medicaid is administered by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services.
The Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS) determines eligibility for the Medicaid program.
Who Can Get Medicaid in Nevada?
You should apply for Medicaid if your income is low and you match one of the descriptions below:
- You think you are pregnant
- The parent or caretaker of a child and/or teenager under the age of 19.
- You are a child or teenager age 18 or under.
- An adult age 65 or older.
- You are legally blind.
- Living with a disability or disabled.
- You are in need of nursing home care.
Nevada Medicaid Income Limit
The Nevada Medicaid Income Limit is calculated as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Line.
To qualify, you must meet the Nevada Medicaid Income limits listed below.
Here is the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for 2021.
| 2021 Federal Poverty Levels for the 48 Contiguous States & D.C. | |||
| Household Size | Poverty Guideline for 48 states & DC | Alaska | Hawaii |
| 1 | $12,880 | $16,090 | $14,820 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $21,770 | $20,040 |
| 3 | $21,960 | $27,450 | $25,260 |
| 4 | $26,500 | $33,130 | $30,480 |
| 5 | $31,040 | $38,810 | $35,700 |
| 6 | $35,580 | $44,490 | $40,920 |
| 7 | $40,120 | $50,170 | $46,140 |
| 8 | $44,660 | $55,850 | $51,360 |
| Over 8 people | add $4,540 for each additional person | $5,680 | $5,220 |
Additionally, to be eligible for Medicaid, you cannot make more than the income guidelines outlined below:
- Children up to age 1 with family income up to 160 percent of FPL
- Any child age 1-5 with a family income up to 160 percent of FPL
- Children ages 6- 18 with family income up to 133 percent of FPL
- CHIP for children with family income up to 200 percent of FPL
- Pregnant women with family income up to 160 percent of FPL
- Parents of minor children with family income up to 31 percent of FPL
- Individuals who are elderly, blind, and disabled with family income up to 74% of the FPL
- Adults without dependents under Medicaid expansion with income up to 133% of the FPL
Nevada Medicaid Income Limit Charts
The Nevada Medicaid eligibility income limit charts are divided by groups.
For example, the first chart is focused on income limits for children who qualify for Medicaid.
Similarly, the second chart below focuses on the Medicaid income limits for adults in Nevada who qualify for Medicaid.
Nevada Medicaid Income Limit for Children
Below is the income limit for children by age category. Find the age category your child falls into and you will see the income limit by household size.
| Nevada Medicaid Income Limit – Children | ||||||
| Children Medicaid Ages 0-1 | Children Medicaid Ages 1-5 | Children Medicaid Ages 6-18 | Children Separate CHIP | |||
| % FPL | 100% | 160% | 160% | 133% | 200% | |
|
Household Size
|
1 | $12,880 | $20,608 | $20,608 | $17,130 | $25,760 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $27,872 | $27,872 | $23,169 | $34,840 | |
| 3 | $21,960 | $35,136 | $35,136 | $29,207 | $43,920 | |
| 4 | $26,500 | $42,400 | $42,400 | $35,245 | $53,000 | |
| 5 | $31,040 | $49,664 | $49,664 | $41,283 | $62,080 | |
| 6 | $35,580 | $56,928 | $56,928 | $47,321 | $71,160 | |
| 7 | $40,120 | $64,192 | $64,192 | $53,360 | $80,240 | |
| 8 | $44,660 | $71,456 | $71,456 | $59,398 | $89,320 | |
Next is the income limit for adults by category. Find the category you fall into and you will see the income limit by household size.
Nevada has expanded Medicaid to include adults without dependents.
Therefore, adults without dependents can apply for Medicaid in Nevada.
For an update on the Medicaid expansion debate and timeline in Nevada, see our Nevada Expansion update below.
Nevada Medicaid Income Limit for Adults
| Nevada Medicaid Income Limit – Adults | ||||||
| Pregnant Women Medicaid | Adults (Medicaid) Parent/ Caretaker | Seniors & People w/ Disabilities (Medicaid) | Adults (Medicaid) Expansion to Adults | |||
| % FPL | 100% | 160% | 31% | 74% | 133% | |
|
Household Size
|
1 | $12,880 | $20,608 | $3,993 | $9,531 | $17,130 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $27,872 | $5,400 | $12,891 | $23,169 | |
| 3 | $21,960 | $35,136 | $6,808 | $16,250 | $29,207 | |
| 4 | $26,500 | $42,400 | $8,215 | $19,610 | $35,245 | |
| 5 | $31,040 | $49,664 | $9,622 | $22,970 | $41,283 | |
| 6 | $35,580 | $56,928 | $11,030 | $26,329 | $47,321 | |
| 7 | $40,120 | $64,192 | $12,437 | $29,689 | $53,360 | |
| 8 | $44,660 | $71,456 | $13,845 | $33,048 | $59,398 | |
How to Read the Nevada Medicaid Income Limits Charts Above
You cannot have an income higher than the Federal Poverty Level percentage described for your group to be eligible for Medicaid.
Similarly, when you identify the income group that applies to you, the income limit you see refers to the maximum level of income you can earn to qualify for benefits.
For example, if you are pregnant, to qualify for Medicaid, you cannot have an income higher than 160% of the Federal Poverty Level – which for a family of two is $27,872 as shown in the chart above.
How to Apply for Nevada Medicaid
There are 3 ways you can apply for Medicaid in Nevada.
Option 1 – Apply online
You can apply online through the Access Nevada Portal – as shown in the image below.
If you have an account, you can log in or create your Access Nevada Account. Click here to be taken to the website.
Option 2 – Apply at DWSS Office Near You
You can apply in person at the Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS) office near you. Click here to locate a DWSS office.
Option 3 – Download Application
You can download an application, complete it, and mail it to your county DWSS office or submit it in person.
Nevada Medicaid Phone Number
Here’s how to contact the Nevada Medicaid Agency:
Customer Service Center
For Claim inquiries and general information
Reno, NV 89520-3042
Phone: (877) 638-3472
Medicaid Recipient Customer Service
Las Vegas District Office: (702) 668-4200
Reno District Office: (775) 687-1900
All other areas: (866) 569-1746
Automated Response System (ARS)
Recipient eligibility, recent payments, claim status, and prior authorization information via phone.
Call: 1- (800) 942-6511
Nevada Medicaid Central Office
For State policy inquiries and Fair Hearing requests
Phone: (877) 638-3472 and (775) 684-3600
Nevada Medicaid Expansion Update
Nevada’s then-Governor Brian Sandoval announced in December 2012 that the state would expand Medicaid starting in 2014.
Governor Sandoval was the first Republican governor to commit to expanding Medicaid.
The state projected about 78,000 people would be newly eligible for Medicaid as a result of the expansion.
However, more than 200,000 were enrolled in expanded Medicaid within the first three years.
Governor Sandoval vetoed a Medicaid buy-in program in 2017.
Nevada Medicaid Income Limits Summary
We hope this post on Nevada Medicaid Income Limits was helpful to you.
If you have any questions about Medicaid in the state of Nevada, you can ask us in the comments section below.
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Be sure to check out our other articles about Medicaid.
Income limits for Florida Medicaid
Alabama Medicaid Income Limits and How to Apply
Alaska Medicaid Income Limits and Chart
New Hampshire Medicaid Income Limits