Medical Assistance

Douglas County Social Services determines eligiblity for medical services provided to indigent Douglas County residents as defined by Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 428.  Most medical assistance is temporary assistance for one time situations.  All medical assistance is based on county income guidelines.  Douglas County is a payor of last resort.  If an individual is eligible of any other resource they will be referred there first.  Medical services may include:

• Adult Group Care and Long-Term Care
• Emergency Prescriptions
• Emergency Medical Care
• Inpatient Hospital Care
• Burial/Cremation

In each case, the person or family member requesting services must complete a DCSS application and provide the required documentation. An appointment will be scheduled with a case worker to review eligiblity for potential payment on medical expenses.  

Referrals and Resources are given to individuals for ongoing medical care. 

Prescription assistance:

In a joint effort, Douglas County and the National Association of Counties (NACo) provide Prescription Discount Cards for any time a prescription is not covered by insurance, the cards can be picked up at the DCSS office.  For more information on free or low cost Prescription Assistance Programs please visit NeedyMeds.org or Rxhelp4Nv.org. 

Health Care Advocacy: 

The Governor’s Office for Consumer Health Assistance was established to provide a single point of contact for consumers and injured workers to assist them in understanding their rights and responsibilities under Nevada law and health care plans, including Industrial insurance policies. The Office is dedicated to providing assistance through information, counseling, education and advocacy.  Please visit their website at http://www.govcha.state.nv.us.

Access to Healthcare Network:

Access to Healthcare Network (AHN) is a non-profit medical discount program. We are not health insurance and do not pay for any part of your healthcare services. In order to qualify, you must meet our income guidelines. We have a network of more than 700 providers including the state’s main hospitals, who offer their services to our members at vastly reduced fees, which you must pay at the time of service. To join the Access to Healthcare Network Discounted Healthcare Program, you pay a membership fee which gives you access to our network of providers.  AHN also offers a program for dental and vision.  For more information visit www.accesstohealthcare.org.

Nevada Check Up:

The Mission of the Nevada Check Up program (Children’s Health Insurance Program) is to provide low-cost, comprehensive health care coverage to low income, uninsured children (birth through 18) who are not covered by private insurance or Medicaid; while (1) promoting health care coverage for children; (2) encouraging individual responsibility; and (3) working with public and private health care providers and community advocates for children.The Mission of the Nevada Check Up program (Children’s Health Insurance Program) is to provide low-cost, comprehensive health care coverage to low income, uninsured children (birth through 18) who are not covered by private insurance or Medicaid; while (1) promoting health care coverage for children; (2) encouraging individual responsibility; and (3) working with public and private health care providers and community advocates for children.  For application and more information http://www.nevadacheckup.state.nv.us.

 For information on Health Care Reform, please visit Nevada Division of Insurance.