Nebraska Medicaid

Last verified: June 2026

What is Nebraska Medicaid?

Nebraska Medicaid is the state-federal health coverage program administered by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). For most enrollees, coverage is delivered through Heritage Health — Nebraska's managed care program — which contracts with health plans to coordinate services for members. Nebraska DHHS sets the eligibility rules and oversees the program; Heritage Health handles day-to-day care coordination.

Nebraska expanded Medicaid coverage through Initiative 427, a ballot measure passed by voters in November 2018. Expansion took effect on October 1, 2020, extending eligibility to most adults ages 19–64 earning up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. Before Initiative 427, Nebraska was one of the last states without adult expansion. As of 2025, approximately 390,000 Nebraskans are enrolled in Medicaid — a figure that grew significantly after expansion took effect.

Heritage Health managed care covers the majority of Nebraska Medicaid members. Three contracted health plans serve Nebraska: United Healthcare Community Plan, Nebraska Total Care, and Molina Healthcare of Nebraska. Members choose a plan at enrollment, and that plan becomes responsible for coordinating covered services within its network.

How Heritage Health managed care works

Under Heritage Health, each member selects one of the three contracted health plans. The plan assigns a primary care provider, coordinates referrals to specialists, and manages the member's covered benefits. All three plans cover the same core Nebraska Medicaid benefits — doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, behavioral health, and dental — but each operates its own provider network. Check that your current doctors participate in a plan's network before selecting it.

DHHS manages eligibility through the iServe Nebraska portal at iserve.nebraska.gov, which replaced the former ACCESSNebraska system. Members can apply, view benefits, report changes, and submit renewals through iServe Nebraska. The legacy ACCESSNebraska phone line at 855-632-7633 still connects to customer service.

Who qualifies for Nebraska Medicaid?

Nebraska Medicaid covers multiple eligibility groups. Income limits vary by group and are based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for most categories. The following are the main groups and approximate thresholds — verify current figures at dhhs.ne.gov or by calling 855-632-7633.

• Adults ages 19–64 (Heritage Health Adult/expansion): at or below 138% FPL — approximately $1,732/month for a single person (2025 FPL)
• Children under 19: up to 205% FPL through Medicaid and Kids Connection CHIP combined
• Pregnant women: up to 185% FPL during pregnancy and for 60 days postpartum
• Parents and caretaker relatives: income limit varies by household size
• Individuals with disabilities receiving SSI: automatically eligible
• Elderly individuals ages 65+ with limited income and assets
• Former foster care youth up to age 26 who were in foster care at age 18

Source: Nebraska DHHS Medicaid eligibility information; CMS Medicaid expansion data. Income figures are approximate — verify current monthly limits at dhhs.ne.gov or by calling 855-632-7633.

A late expansion — and why it matters

Nebraska was one of only 14 states that had not expanded Medicaid by 2018, leaving a substantial coverage gap for low-income adults without dependent children. The Initiative 427 ballot campaign bypassed the state legislature, which had blocked expansion bills for years. Nebraska's expansion date of October 1, 2020 came over six years after most states had expanded under the ACA's 2014 effective date.

The practical consequence: many adult Nebraskans who spent years uninsured in the coverage gap became eligible for the first time when Heritage Health Adult launched. If you were denied Nebraska Medicaid before 2020 as an adult without dependent children, you may now qualify. Income rules changed, and the eligibility categories now cover a much broader population.

Nebraska Medicaid topics

What does Nebraska Medicaid cover?

Medicaid covers a broad range of health services. Federal law mandates certain benefits — inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician services, lab work, X-rays, and nursing facility services, among others. States add optional services on top of those. Dental, vision, and long-term home care coverage vary by state.

The national benefits overview lists required and commonly optional services. Check the Nebraska Medicaid website for the current state-specific benefit package.

How to apply

Most people can apply online through Nebraska's Medicaid portal, by phone, or in person at a local eligibility office. The how to apply page walks through each method, what documents you'll need, and what to expect during the review period.

Under 42 CFR 435.912, states must process most standard Medicaid applications within 45 days (90 days for disability-based applications). Nebraska must follow that federal timeline.