Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

NEVADA MEDICAID RESPONSE

You can be confident that the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy (DHCFP) is closely monitoring the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and working closely with local, state and federal government agencies and business health care partners to ensure the health and safety of the Nevadans we serve.

DHCFP has created this webpage to answer frequently asked questions, and better share information and resources as it pertains to the current status of COVID-19 and its impact on Nevada Medicaid recipients and providers.  Updated information will be posted as more details come available.

Some of the activities DHCFP currently is pursuing:

• Policy review: DHCFP is reviewing policy to identify whether changes are needed to State Plan Amendments (SPAs), waivers, state policy manuals, or managed care contracts to maximize additional flexibility to address COVID-19.
• IT and Systems changes: DHCFP is making systems changes and implementing rates to ensure timely reimbursement for HCPCS and ICD-10 codes associated with COVID-19 testing.

The most important thing we can all do right now is to follow sensible advice about infection control (see Prevention Tips link on right).   Following these guidelines will help Nevada flatten the pandemic’s curve, and protect the most vulnerable among us. 

Do you feel sick?

If you feel sick, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an online COVID-19 “Self-Checker.”  This online self-checker can help you make decisions and seek appropriate medical care when necessary.  This website can be found at CDC COVID-19 Self-Checker. You can also call the Nevada COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-860-0620 or Nevada 2-1-1 by dialing "211."  If you are enrolled in a Nevada Medicaid Managed Care Organization, you can contact these organizations as well for advice.  This includes Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Health Plan of Nevada, and SilverSummit Healthplan.  Please look on the right-hand side of this page under Recipients to click on links to these Medicaid Managed Care Organizations.

Nevada’s Approved COVID-19 Waiver Requests

The Division of Health Care Financing and Policy applied to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to waive specific Nevada Medicaid state plan requirements to assist the Division’s response to COVID-19. This was done via a 1135 Waiver, Appendix K Waiver for 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services, and a Disaster State Plan Amendment (SPA).  

• 1135 Waiver 
  • Nevada's Approval Letter (4/7/2020)
    • Approved for the period of 3/1/2020 to end of emergency declaration.
  • 2nd Approval letter (6/18/2020) 
  • All Nevada approved/denied 1135 waiver requests table
   

• Appendix K Waiver
• Nevada's Approval Letter (4/15/2020)
• Approved for the period of 1/27/2020 - 1/26/2021
• 2nd Approval Letter (8/19/2020)

 

• Disaster State Plan Amendment 
  • Approved by CMS 6/18/20
   

CMS has also provided a Blanket Waiver to allow all states the authority to waive specific requirements of the Social Security Act. This Blanket Waiver is effective from 3/1/2020 through the end of the emergency declaration.

• CMS Blanket Waiver

Public Health Emergency Extension

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar issued a renewal of the COVID-19 public health emergency, October 23, 2020.  Assuming a full 90-day extension, this will extend the PHE through January 21, 2021.  This extension means that the Disaster SPA, 1135 Waiver, Appendix K Waiver, blanket waiver, and telehealth guidelines that the Nevada Division of Health Care Financing and Policy was approved for will be extended to this date.  This extension also allows for the Division to receive an enhanced FMAP through Quarter 1, 2021.  All U.S. HHS public health emergency declarations can be found at HHS Public Health Emergency Declarations.