Connect with us

Nevada

Rehab now more accessible to Nevada Medicaid recipients

Published

on

Rehab now more accessible to Nevada Medicaid recipients


Residential treatment for addiction is expected to become more available to Nevada Medicaid beneficiaries this year, even as congressional Republicans consider cuts to the insurance program for low-income people.

In December 2022, the federal government gave approval for a requirement that managed-care organizations in Nevada cover residential treatment — live-in treatment at an addiction treatment facility — for up to 30 days, if “deemed medically necessary.”

But it took revisions to Medicaid’s complex rules on reimbursement before managed-care organizations broadly implemented the requirement, said Jeff Iverson, CEO of CrossRoads of Southern Nevada treatment center.

In October of last year, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services gave approval for Nevada Medicaid to reimburse for residential treatment based on a bundled rate, allowing a higher reimbursement rate, according to Nevada Medicaid.

Advertisement

“Nevada Medicaid is expecting an uptick in the number of providers now that there is a more sustainable rate for this array of services,” the agency said.

Asked who’s to blame for the slow implementation, Iverson said, “There’s just a lot of finger-pointing. The MCOs blame the state.”

Related: ‘It is, frankly, dangerous’: Addiction treatment centers claim insurance denials have increased

Nevada Medicaid said implementation required, in part, updating the software system to allow providers to bill for services. It also required coordination with another state health division providing grants to fund these services.

Meanwhile, managed-care organizations Anthem and Molina have been using a model of care that covered detox and outpatient treatment at CrossRoads coupled with off-campus housing and transportation to treatment, Iverson said.

Advertisement

Recently, all of the managed-care organizations, except for Health Plan of Nevada, have entered into contracts with CrossRoads to begin providing residential treatment, he said.

Health Plan of Nevada had a contract with CrossRoads in 2023 to provide services, including detox and residential treatment, but late that year began to deny treatment and refer its clients to outpatient clinics, Iverson said.

In a statement, Health Plan of Nevada said it provides access “to quality, evidence-based behavioral health care” for its members.

As of Jan. 1, a policy went into effect under which the managed-care organizations are beginning to cover residential treatment for Medicaid beneficiaries in the specialty courts of the Clark County court system, court spokesperson Mary Ann Price said.

One such court is adult drug court, a court-supervised, comprehensive inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment program for individuals dependent on alcohol or drugs. The aim is to address substance abuse issues to reduce recidivism.

Advertisement

Previously, the court obtained grants to cover treatment, said DeDe Parker, who a few months ago left her position as an administrator with the Clark County court system after eight years, including several as the administrator over specialty courts.

“The state wasn’t going to fund us because Medicaid was supposed to pick up funding residential treatment,” Parker said. “When I left, we were still trying to fight that.”

There was also an ongoing conversation, she said, about how individuals outside the court system could get treatment at all.

An average of 268 people over each of the past five years have received residential treatment funded through the court system, according to data from Price.

Contact Mary Hynes at mhynes@reviewjournal.com or at 702-383-0336. Follow @MaryHynes1 on X. Hynes is a member of the Review-Journal’s investigative team, focusing on reporting that holds leaders and agencies accountable and exposes wrongdoing.

Advertisement

Medicaid eligibility

In Nevada, households with annual incomes of up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for Medicaid.

This is an income of about $20,800 a year for an individual and $43,000 for a family of four.

Also eligible are the following in households with somewhat higher income levels, depending on the group:

— Children.

Advertisement

— Pregnant women.

— Parents or caretakers.

— Supplemental Security Income recipients, including blind or disabled individuals.

— Certain Medicare beneficiaries.

Source: Nevada Medicaid

Advertisement



Source link

Nevada

Raiders Nevada Mental Health Gala Greatly Successful

Published

on

Raiders Nevada Mental Health Gala Greatly Successful


The Las Vegas Raiders have orchestrated many groundbreaking moves this offseason, but none as important as the impact they made at a fundraising event.

Over the weekend, the Raiders hosted the Silver & Black Gala, raising $2.5 million for mental health in Nevada. Sunday marked the third time the organization had hosted the event, which has produced a tremendous turnout.

Advertisement

Jan 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; The Las Vegas Raiders shield logo at midfield at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Several individuals spoke during the event, including Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis and president Sandra Douglass Morgan, who each highlighted the importance of acknowledging mental health.

Advertisement

Davis’ Thoughts

Feb 10, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis at a press conference at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

  • “We’re here to raise money for mental health, which is one of the most important things we can all deal with,” Davis said. “Every one of us is impacted by mental health and our families, friends, or anywhere else, we are all directly affected. That’s why it’s so critical to raise money for our community. We’re grateful for you all, and appreciate you being here.”

Morgan’s Thoughts

Advertisement

Apr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders president Sandra Douglass Morgan listtens at introductory press conference for quarterback Fernando Mendoza at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Advertisement

“Mental health remains one of the most urgent issues across Nevada,” Morgan said. “Through the Silver & Black Gala, the Raiders Foundation is helping expand access to trusted, community-based resources that meet people where they are. This year’s recipients reflect the depth and complexity of that work, supporting our community in schools, clubhouses, homes, shelters, and family systems statewide.”

The Raiders also honored former player Carl Nassib and NFL broadcaster Jay Glazer on Sunday night as the winners of the Commitment to Excellence award. Here is what each of them had to say.

Advertisement

Glazer’s Thoughts

Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Jay Glazer at Fox Sports media day at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

  • “First, this is incredible what the Raiders are doing,” Glazer said. “God blessed me with the ability to communicate, so I’m going to use that to try and help other people. When we’re willing to share our scars, we turn them into strength—into something that connects us as teammates with nothing to hide. That’s what builds a true team, a championship team. I’m proud to stand with you and be part of this team tonight.”

Nassib’s Thoughts

Advertisement

Oct 24, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib (94) reacts after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Eagles 33-22. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

  • “It is truly a privilege to be up here,” Nassib said. “We’re creating space for people to be vulnerable—and that work is truly lifesaving. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about showing up and reminding people they’re not alone.”

Overall Thoughts

Advertisement

Jan 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; The Las Vegas Raiders helmet logo on the video board at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

This has been a tremendous event over the last few years, and the Raiders’ organization has done a great job of raising awareness for mental health. This will be an event that the team will continue to host in the future.

Advertisement

Add us as a preferred source on Google



Source link

Continue Reading

Nevada

Nevada workers fear homelessness as housing, jobs vanish before July deadline | Fox News Video

Published

on

Nevada workers fear homelessness as housing, jobs vanish before July deadline | Fox News Video


Primm Valley Casino Resorts is shutting down its remaining hotel and casino operations in July as experts point to increased competition, changing travel habits and post-pandemic losses behind the decline.



Source link

Continue Reading

Nevada

Nevada Governor GOP primary: 6 longshot candidates taking on incumbent Joe Lombardo

Published

on

Nevada Governor GOP primary: 6 longshot candidates taking on incumbent Joe Lombardo


Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo (R) is in a strong position heading into the thick of his 2026 reelection bid — a huge war chest, almost universal name recognition and strong favorability numbers among the electorate.

Though Lombardo is likely focusing on the general election already, he faces 6 longshot candidates in the GOP primary seeking to upset him in June.

Nevada Governor GOP primary: 6 longshot candidates taking on incumbent Joe Lombardo

Advertisement

The challengers face a ‘Herculean’ task, said Mike Noble, CEO and founder of Noble Predictive Insights, an Arizona-based nonpartisan pollster focusing on the Southwest region.

“I see it as a Herculean task for anyone. If someone was coming in with like, I don’t know $10 million or something to spend, sure I can see that might be competitive, but I don’t see any of them coming anywhere near close to that. And so again, I just think I think it’s a non-factor at this point,” Noble said.

RELATED | Ballot Battleground: Nevada podcast: Early Noble poll shows dead heat in governor’s race

Despite the long odds, News 4-Fox 11 reached out to all candidates requesting an interview as part of our commitment to 2026 election coverage and our Know Your Candidates series. Three of the 7 running interviewed with us — Irina Hansen, Kameron Hawkins, Lombardo and Jose Zelaya did not respond to multiple emails requesting an interview.

Advertisement

We asked them similar questions about Gov. Lombardo’s leadership as governor, how they would pass a balanced budget and whether they support taxpayer subsidies for sports teams or major projects.

Click the candidate’s name to watch their full interview. Quotes below have been edited for space and clarity.

Donald J. Beaudry Jr. is an entrepreneur who founded BlkEdgeAi, a financial technology firm specializing in AI-driven trading systems and market strategy, according to his campaign website.

He told News 4-Fox 11 that Nevada has been drifting the last four years with ‘no captain, no vision.’ He believes his Wall Street-like trading market called NGEX (Nevada Global Exchange) would generate enough revenue to eliminate sales taxes, property taxes, business taxes and vehicle registration fees.

“I completely blueprinted it out and calculated that this model could generate enough revenue in this state that we could eliminate all the state taxes and fees that are currently in place and use that as the revenue source for the state and make everybody, every man, woman and child throughout Nevada, a shareholder in the dividends of that exchange … it would be a kind of Wall Street type of stock market, but far broader, more advanced, and exponentially more profitable.”

Advertisement

Matthew Rian Winterhawk is the founder of SmartSlaps foundation, a nonprofit that works to help schools and students with civic engagement and community responsibility.

If elected, he described going through a DOGE-like review of the state budget to determine which areas can be cut or kept depending on their ‘dollar to impact’ ratio.

“What I would like to do is go through every department, I’m talking top to bottom, from here from the primary to the beginning. We will cut every piece of administrative bloat across the system … I need more money for my teachers. Teachers never see it, students never see it, the impact never reaches the classroom. It’s 100% administrative bloat.”

The son of immigrants, Barak Zilberberg is now an entrepreneur and real estate investor based in Las Vegas. He ran for governor in 2022, earning 0.2% of the vote in the GOP primary. He told News 4-Fox 11 he’s also running for President in 2028.

He said he’s running for governor to improve the educational system, bring jobs to Nevada and open up federal land to build more affordable housing.

Advertisement

“We’ve got get high-speed railing systems in here where we can transit very easily, efficiently, and basically moving around between economies of both cities. Not only that, I’d like to bring Disneyland here and the Olympics, sponsor the Olympics here. I just want to make this a well-known place of entertainment, a hub.”

To help voters make informed decisions this election year, News 4-Fox 11 is publishing and broadcasting dozens of interviews with candidates who will appear on the June primary ballot.

In fairness to all candidates, they were asked a series of similar questions. We are posting the full interviews online so voters can watch their responses in their entirety.

Visit our Know Your Candidates 2026 page to view other race previews and meet other candidates.

Email reporter Ben Margiott at bjmargiott@sbgtv.com. Follow @BenMargiott on X and Ben Margiott KRNV on Facebook.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending