702-623-6362 
Nevada state officials have temporarily stopped issuing new licenses for hospice and home-health providers after concerns grew about fraudulent operators trying to exploit federal and state healthcare programs.
The Nevada Health Authority announced the six-month moratorium on June 11, along with a pause on new Medicaid enrollments for these services. It follows a similar federal pause by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The goal is to give investigators time to review existing providers and identify potential fraud.
Hospice care is intended for terminally ill patients with six months or less to live, with most costs covered by Medicare or Medicaid. But state leaders say some providers have been enrolling patients who don’t qualify, billing for services that weren’t delivered, or shutting down when investigated only to reopen under a new name.
The issue intensified after California imposed its own moratorium in 2022. Some operators reportedly moved their activities to Nevada, contributing to a sharp rise in licensed hospices from around 30 to nearly 225 in recent years.
Nathan Adelson Hospice, the state’s oldest nonprofit provider, has been highlighting the problem for some time. President and CEO Karen Rubel says patients from other companies began contacting them with complaints about poor care such as missed visits, delayed medications, and even being enrolled without proper consent or knowledge.
For families already navigating the emotional weight of a loved one’s terminal illness, these issues add unnecessary stress and uncertainty. Rubel described situations where people were signed up for hospice without their ability to consent, leaving families to sort out the mess afterward.
Consequently, on June 11, 2026, the Nevada Health Authority put a six-month hold on new state licenses for hospice and home-health providers, and they also stopped new Nevada Medicaid enrollments for now.
The Center Square reported on Instagram that the state officially approved and started this pause on issuing licenses and enrolling new Medicaid participants.
They didn’t make this move out of the blue. Right before, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rolled out their own anti-fraud measure and singled out Nevada for having a higher risk of healthcare fraud. Nevada’s action lines up with the federal crackdown.
Of course, the moratorium includes exceptions for rural areas, where healthcare access is already limited. Rubel called that a thoughtful decision, noting that the surge in new providers has mostly affected the Las Vegas area.
What Happens Next
Over the coming months, state investigators will review current providers and look for patterns of Medicaid fraud. If problems prove widespread, the pause could be extended. At the federal level, there’s also a broader push to strengthen oversight in the hospice industry.
Healthcare fraud investigations, billing disputes, or any related criminal allegations can quickly become serious. If you or someone you know is facing questions from regulators or law enforcement in connection with healthcare services in Las Vegas, getting experienced legal counsel early can make a significant difference.
At LV Criminal Defense, we’ve been helping clients navigate serious criminal and regulatory matters for more than a decade.
We dig into the facts of every case and build practical, effective defense strategies tailored to your situation.
If you need help, schedule a free phone call with our team. Simply leave your contact information on our website; we’ll listen to your case and help you determine the best path forward.
SEARCH
RECENT POSTS
