Medicaid Services

 
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Medicaid Related Assistance
Medicaid & Long-Term Care
 
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What you need to know

​​​​Below are services covered under Nebraska Medicaid. For more information, see our Rules and Regulations.

Ambulance Services

Nebraska Medicaid covers ambulance services for certain conditions. The service must be required during an emergency or required to obtain medical care.  

Chiropractic Services

Nebraska Medicaid limits coverage of chiropractic services to the following: certain spinal x-rays, manual manipulation of the spine, certain evaluation and management services, traction, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and certain therapeutic procedures, activities, and techniques designed and implemented to improve, develop, or maintain the function of the area treated.

Dental Services

Nebraska Medicaid covers dental services such as cleaning of teeth, fillings, extractions, X-rays, dental surgery, and dental disease control. Some services require prior authorization.

Durable Medical Equipment, Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Medical Supplies

Nebraska Medicaid covers certain medical equipment and supplies when they are medically necessary and prescribed by a physician.

Family Planning Services

Nebraska Medicaid covers family planning services, including consultation and procedures. This may include initial physical examinations and health history, annual and follow-up visits, laboratory services, prescribing and supplying contraceptive supplies and devices, counseling services, and prescribing medication for specific treatment.

Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT, Health Check)

Health Check is a service available to all individuals age 20 or younger who are eligible for Medicaid. Health Check provides complete check-ups on a regular basis and provides diagnosis and treatment services for any health problems found at a check-up. Some treatment services provided as a result of a Health Check examination require the provider to obtain approval from Medicaid before providing the service.

Hearing Aid Services

Nebraska Medicaid covers hearing aids, hearing aid repairs, necessary batteries, and supplies. There are limits on hearing aid services.

Home Health Agency Services

Nebraska Medicaid covers home health agency services when prescribed by a physician or APRN and provided wherever they are necessary. The physician or APRN must certify the services are medically necessary and appropriate to be provided in the home. Covered services include nursing services, aide services, necessary medical supplies and equipment, and physical, speech, and occupational therapies if there is no other way to receive these services. There are limits on some services.

Hospice Services

Nebraska Medicaid covers hospice services provided in response to palliative management of a terminal illness. Hospice services include nursing services, physician services, medical social services, counseling services, home health aide/homemaker, medical equipment, medical supplies, drugs and biologicals, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology. Hospice services require prior authorization by Medicaid.

Hospital Services

Medicaid covers medically necessary inpatient, outpatient, and emergency room services. Medicaid will not cover items such as private rooms; private-duty nursing while in the hospital; and emergency room services for routine treatment.

ICF/DD Services

Nebraska Medicaid covers Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/DD) services for individuals with developmental/intellectual disabilities or a related condition.


ICF/DD Services are designed to serve individuals who cannot be served in the community through Developmental Disability (DD) Services. ICF/DD services provide diagnosis and active treatment to support individuals to achieve their independence potential. Services include training in all aspects of daily living, social behavior, pre-vocational training, nursing care to the same degree as in a nursing facility, physical, occupational, and speech therapies.


ICF/DD Services must be prior authorized.

Laboratory and Radiology (X-ray) Services

Payment may be made for medically necessary diagnostic tests, X-rays, and other procedures that are part of your diagnosis or treatment.

Medical Transportation Services

Nebraska Medicaid covers transportation for trips necessary to obtain medical treatment or medical care when the client has no other transportation. Medicaid may cover transportation services for a parent/caretaker/attendant for travel to escort someone to and from medical treatment or medical care when necessary. Medicaid may also cover travel to a pharmacy.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for Children and Adolescents (ages 0-20)

Nebraska Medicaid covers mental health and substance abuse services for children and adolescents including outpatient services, middle intensity services, day treatment, and hospital services.

For more information, see Medicaid Behavioral Health Services.

Nurse Midwife Services

Nebraska Medicaid covers nurse midwife services which are medically necessary and provided in accordance with the practice as defined by law.  Nebraska Medicaid covers pre-natal care, delivery, and post-partum care services.

Nurse Practitioner Services

Nebraska Medicaid covers nurse practitioner services, in accordance with the scope of practice applicable to their specific licensure designation. The services must be medically necessary.  A nurse practitioner may provide services within the specialty areas in which they hold certification.

Nursing Facility Services

Nebraska Medicaid covers services provided in nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities, and certain other long-term care living arrangements. Services that a nursing facility must provide include:

  • Regular room
  • Dietary services
  • Nursing services
  • Social services when required
  • Most medical supplies and equipment
  • Oxygen
  • Other routine services

To receive Medicaid-covered nursing facility care, you must meet nursing facility level of care criteria and have a Pre-admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR).

Physician Services

Medicaid covers medically necessary physicians' services performed within program guidelines. Medicaid will not cover services such as: acupuncture treatment; reversal of sterilization; sex change procedures; drugs or items prescribed or recommended for weight control and/or appetite suppression.

Services that have special requirements, limitations, and/or require approval from the Medicaid program include:

  • Medical transplants
  • Cosmetic surgery
  • Sterilizations and hysterectomies
  • Abortions

Podiatry Services

Nebraska Medicaid covers medical and surgical services provided by a podiatrist, in the podiatrist's office, the client's home, a clinic, hospital, or other location.

Prescribed Drugs

Nebraska Medicaid covers most drugs prescribed by the client's physician. Some over-the-counter drugs may be covered if prescribed by the physician and approved by Medicaid. There are several drugs Medicaid does not cover.

Private-Duty Nursing Services

Nebraska Medicaid covers medically necessary private-duty nursing services when ordered by the client's physician or APRN. Private-duty nursing services may be provided in the client's home or some other living arrangement outside of a hospital or nursing facility. Prior authorization is required for these services.

Adult Psychiatric, Substance Use Disorder, and Medicaid Rehabilitation Option

Nebraska Medicaid covers medically necessary psychiatric and substance use disorder services for medically necessary primary psychiatric and/or substance use disorder diagnoses for individuals age 21 and older, including outpatient services, day treatment, substance use disorder treatment, and hospital services.

For more information, see Medicaid Behavioral Health Services.

Screening Services (Mammograms)

Nebraska Medicaid covers mammograms when provided based on a medically necessary diagnosis. In the absence of a diagnosis, Nebraska Medicaid covers mammograms according to the American Cancer Society's periodicity schedule.

Services Provided by Clinics

Nebraska Medicaid covers services provided by clinics, including rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, and Indian Health Services clinics if they participate in the Medicaid Program.  

Therapies: Physical, Occupational, Speech Pathology & Audiology

Nebraska Medicaid covers speech, physical, and occupational therapies in the office, in the client's home, hospital, nursing facilities, or other facilities. The services must be prescribed by a physician. Therapy is limited to restoration of lost function due to illness or injury if you are age 20 and older. Medicaid will cover up to 60 combined visits per year.

Vision Care Services

Nebraska Medicaid covers medically necessary and appropriate visual care services within program guidelines. Examination, diagnosis and treatment services are also allowable to diagnose or treat a specific eye illness, symptom, complaint, or injury.  Medicaid covers eyeglasses, including lenses and frames, when coverage criteria is met.  Eye exams for adults 21 years and older are limited to once every 24 months, eye exams for recipients age 20 and younger are limited to once every 12 months.  More frequent eye examinations will be covered when medically necessary.