Nevada Medicaid waiver guide
Learn how Nevada Medicaid waiver services work, which state agency to start with, how the application process usually begins, and where to search for home and community-based services.
Last reviewed July 2026. See something out of date? Use the “Suggest an edit” button to let us know.
Nevada delivers developmental disability services through the Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) and three regional centers, with Medicaid funding the waiver for individuals with intellectual disabilities and related conditions. Which regional center serves you depends on geography: Desert Regional Center covers Clark County, Sierra Regional Center covers Washoe County, and Rural Regional Center covers all rural counties plus the outlying rural areas of Clark County. Nevada's eligibility rules are worth reading closely, because the “related conditions” route uses a different age threshold than the intellectual disability route.
Search by state, city, or ZIP code to compare provider profiles, services, contact details, and verified status.
People with an intellectual disability or a related condition who need an institutional level of care
Anyone found eligible through Desert, Sierra, or Rural Regional Center
Nevada serves people of any age who meet the criteria for an intellectual disability or a related condition. Intellectual disability is defined as significantly sub-average general intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior, manifested during the developmental period. A related condition is a severe, chronic disability that results in impairment similar to intellectual disability, is manifested before the person turns 22, and creates substantial functional limitations. Waiver services also require Nevada Medicaid eligibility.
Significantly sub-average general intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior, manifested during the developmental period. Both the intellectual and the adaptive components must be documented.
A severe, chronic disability that results in impairment similar to intellectual disability, manifested before age 22, and creating substantial functional limitations. If an intellectual disability diagnosis does not fit, this is the route to ask about.
Regional centers serve consumers of any age who meet the eligibility criteria — there is no minimum or maximum age to clear before applying.
Medicaid eligibility is required to fund waiver services, alongside the disability determination and level of care.
Nevada's developmental services run through three regional centers, and availability of specific services depends on capacity within your center's region. Once ADSD receives a completed and signed application, an intake case manager contacts you to determine which services and programs fit. Nevada publishes monthly Developmental Services Regional Center reports, which are the best public source on how the system is running.
Desert Regional Center serves Clark County except outlying rural areas; Sierra Regional Center serves Washoe County; Rural Regional Center serves all rural counties and the outlying rural areas of Clark County.
Open linkYou, a community partner, or a caregiver can complete the application and submit it to the nearest ADSD office. You can also phone your local regional office and give the information to an ADSD intake team member.
Open linkOnce ADSD receives a completed and signed application, an intake case manager contacts you to determine which services and programs are most appropriate. This conversation shapes what you are offered, so prepare for it.
Developmental Services staff determine whether you meet the intellectual disability criteria or the related-condition criteria. If one does not fit, ask explicitly about the other; the related-condition route uses a before-22 threshold.
Waiver services are Medicaid-funded. Establish Medicaid eligibility alongside the developmental services determination so nothing stalls at the funding step.
Exact covered services depend on the waiver, assessed need, Medicaid rules, funding, and state program requirements. Confirm services, availability, and payment acceptance with the state, support coordinator, and provider.
Nevada's waiver is built around person-centered planning, individual rights of privacy, dignity, respect, and freedom from restraint, with self-directed options available. Ask your service coordinator which services can be self-directed and how the individual budget works.
Approved waiver services are paid by Nevada Medicaid. Once enrolled, there is generally little or no direct cost for covered services.
Because services are delivered through three regional centers covering very different geographies, what is practically available in rural Nevada can differ from Las Vegas or Reno. Ask your center what exists locally rather than assuming a statewide menu.
In supported living arrangements the waiver pays for services, not room and board, which is typically covered by the person's own income such as SSI.
Nevada provides early intervention for infants and toddlers with delays, separately from regional center waiver services.
Regional centers serve consumers of any age meeting the criteria, so there is no age gate to wait for before applying.
A related condition must be manifested before age 22. If a young person's situation may qualify under that route rather than as an intellectual disability, make sure documentation establishing onset exists before that birthday.
Nevada's waiver explicitly emphasizes the opportunity to seek employment in competitive integrated settings. If work is a goal, say so during person-centered planning.
If eligibility or a waiver service is denied, reduced, or ended, you have the right to appeal and to request a Medicaid fair hearing within the deadline printed on your notice. The Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center is the state's federally mandated protection and advocacy system, and all of its services are free.
Protection & Advocacy system for Nevada
1-800-992-5715Visit siteState agency for developmental services — adsd@adsd.nv.gov
775-687-4210Visit siteDesert (Clark), Sierra (Washoe), and Rural regional center contacts
Visit siteFree advocacy — Las Vegas 1-888-349-3843, Reno and Elko 1-800-992-5715
1-800-992-5715Visit siteMedicaid eligibility and long-term services and supports
Visit siteLocal help & referrals — dial 211
Visit siteIt depends on where you live. Desert Regional Center serves Clark County except the outlying rural areas; Sierra Regional Center serves Washoe County; Rural Regional Center serves all rural counties plus those outlying areas of Clark County. Starting with the wrong one costs time.
Ask about the related-condition route. Nevada also serves people with a severe, chronic disability that results in impairment similar to intellectual disability, manifested before age 22, with substantial functional limitations. It is a separate path with its own criteria.
No. Regional centers serve consumers of any age who meet eligibility criteria. There is no reason to wait for a particular birthday to apply.
Once ADSD receives a completed and signed application, an intake case manager contacts you to determine which services and programs are most appropriate. Because that conversation shapes what you are offered, be specific about daily support needs rather than describing only good days.
Yes — Nevada's waiver explicitly includes the opportunity to seek employment in competitive integrated settings, and supported employment is a covered service. Raise employment goals during person-centered planning.
Nevada serves people of any age who meet the criteria for an intellectual disability or a related condition. Intellectual disability is defined as significantly sub-average general intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior, manifested during the developmental period. A related condition is a severe, chronic disability that results in impairment similar to intellectual disability, is manifested before the person turns 22, and creates substantial functional limitations. Waiver services also require Nevada Medicaid eligibility.
identify your regional center, submit the application for developmental services, wait for the intake case manager, establish eligibility — id or related condition, then enroll and choose providers. Start with Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division.
Covered services vary by waiver and assessed need, and commonly include in-home supports, respite, supported employment, day services, behavior support, residential supports. Confirm specifics with the state and provider.
Nevada's developmental services run through three regional centers, and availability of specific services depends on capacity within your center's region. Once ADSD receives a completed and signed application, an intake case manager contacts you to determine which services and programs fit. Nevada publishes monthly Developmental Services Regional Center reports, which are the best public source on how the system is running.
Approved waiver services are generally covered by Medicaid at little or no direct cost once enrolled, though some enrollees may owe a monthly patient responsibility based on income.
Nevada's developmental services overview, eligibility, and how to apply.
NevadaRegional center contact details for Desert, Sierra, and Rural.
NevadaNevada's published reporting on how the regional center system is operating.
NevadaFree protection and advocacy services, including appeals help.
NevadaFind waiver providers and services in Nevada on Waiverly.
Looking for another state? Browse the full resource map