Governor Lombardo Announces Plans for Behavioral Health Care Services for Nevada Children

Las Vegas, NV - Over $200 million in new Medicaid funds to be invested in children’s behavioral health over the next three years

Today, Governor Joe Lombardo announced the expansion of behavioral health services for Nevada children in Medicaid.

“I’m pleased to announce plans to deploy over $200 million in new funding into children’s behavioral health care,” said Governor Joe Lombardo. “Through a dedicated revenue stream for Medicaid, we will finally be able to start building out an integrated system of care for community behavioral health in Nevada.”

The plans include the expansion of services in Medicaid for children with behavioral health needs over the next six to nine months, pending federal approval. It also includes strategic investments in the state’s behavioral health provider system that aim to increase quality of care and implement a service model that will ensure children with behavioral health needs receive the care they need in the least restrictive environment.

The expansion of children’s behavioral health care is made possible through a new private hospital assessment that was implemented by Nevada Medicaid earlier this year. Senate Bill 435 allows a portion of the assessment revenue to finance new services and supports for behavioral health care through Medicaid.

The new services must first be approved by lawmakers at the next Interim Finance Committee meeting in April. Once approved, Nevada Medicaid will begin the necessary steps for implementation, which include seeking federal approval of the new services and reimbursement changes.