Medicaid Eligibility Guidelines in Nevada

Medicaid in Nevada is a joint federal and state health care program. The goal is to provide health insurance to families, children, elderly and disabled individuals who cannot afford private insurance. To be eligible, income and asset requirements must be met. The criteria vary, depending on the assistance category of the applicant.

Medicaid in Nevada is offered to pregnant women, infants, children under the age of 18, parents or guardians of children, foster children, adults over 65 and the disabled or blind. If the applicant is in need of nursing home care, Medicaid will also cover these services. Medicaid can be used in conjunction with Medicare to pay deductibles and co-pays. The Medicaid Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program is available to women who are uninsured or under-insured.

Applicants must be United States citizens or legal immigrants. Undocumented aliens will only be eligible to receive Medicaid for emergency services. You must also be a resident of Nevada. Once approved, Medicaid is limited to services only in the state of Nevada.

Income limits for Nevada Medicaid recipients are based on the applicant's income in comparison with the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Different limits apply to each eligibility group and are based on the number of household members. In 2011, the FPL for a household of one was $10,830. For two-household members, the FPL was $14,710. Pregnant women and infants are allowed 133 percent of the FPL, which was $19,564 for two household members. The elderly, disabled or blind are limited to an income of up to 300 percent of the SSI benefit level. The Medicare Beneficiaries Program limit is between 100 and 120 percent of the FPL.

Countable assets are limited in order to qualify for Medicaid coverage in Nevada. A home, vehicle, personal possessions and funeral or burial expenses up to a certain amount are exempt. Pregnant women cannot exceed $2,000 in resources. A household with children is limited to $2,000 for the first person, $3,000 for the second person and $150 for each additional person. The asset limit for the Medicare Beneficiaries Program is $4,000 for one person and $6,000 for couples.