Nevada Medicaid shifts to managed care for rural recipients, enroll by December 26

State health officials notified rural Medicaid recipients on December 12, 2025 that a major change in how their care is organized will take effect at the start of the new year. About 70,000 people who currently receive Medicaid through a fee for service system will be enrolled in managed care organizations beginning January 1, 2026. The two plans serving rural counties are CareSource and SilverSummit.

Under managed care, recipients select a plan that contracts with the state to coordinate and pay for health services. The transition can change how primary care is accessed, how specialty care is authorized, and which clinics and providers are considered in network. For many patients, managed care can mean stronger care coordination and dedicated case management. For others, especially those who rely on a particular provider that is not in a new plan network, the change could create barriers unless choices are made carefully and early.

Enrollment notices were mailed and recipients who do not choose a plan by Dec. 26, 2025 will be placed in an automatically assigned plan. Officials set a consumer friendly window that allows anyone who is assigned to switch plans through March 31, 2026. Local outreach teams held events in small towns, including Dyer, to explain the change and help residents enroll. Organizers warned that people experiencing homelessness and those without stable mailing addresses may not have received notices and could face service interruptions if they do not get help enrolling.

The shift has direct public health and equity implications for Nye County. Rural communities already face longer travel distances to clinics, higher rates of chronic disease, and fewer behavioral health resources. A poorly managed transition could worsen gaps in access for older adults, people with disabilities, and residents without reliable transportation or internet access.

Residents seeking help should contact their county human services office, local community health centers, or visit the plans online. CareSource and SilverSummit both provide member services on their websites and by phone. Anyone who has not received a notice or who needs enrollment assistance should act quickly to avoid automatic assignment and to preserve continuity of care.