The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and Las Vegas Transitional Grant Area (TGA) Medical Subspecialty Referral Program is a coordinated outpatient medical pipeline serving eligible individuals across the Southern Nevada region.

Clinical Point of Entry: Operating through local medical hubs—AHF Healthcare Center - Las Vegas and AHF Healthcare Center - North Las Vegas. AHF acts as the clinical starting point. Medical case managers and primary care providers identify low-income clients requiring advanced outpatient specialty interventions and route them directly into the county's approved subspecialty network.

Funding Source
Primary Resource: Federally funded through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A Grant, which delivers emergency care resources to metropolitan areas experiencing high geographic burdens of HIV.
Local Allocations: Administered directly through the Clark County Board of Commissioners funds are distributed to subrecipients under negotiated agreements to bridge regional gaps in complex medical care.

Administrative Oversight
Local Grantee: The Clark County Social Service Department (HIV/AIDS Ryan White Part A Program) acts as the local administrative recipient and fiscal agent managing the contract awards.

Contracted Provider: AHF acts as the authorized agency delivering core ambulatory health check-ups, diagnostic monitoring, and medical subspecialty referral processing.

Regulatory Body
Federal Level: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).Community Level: The Las Vegas TGA Ryan White Part A Planning Council, which sets the regional service definitions, priority spending allocations, and service caps.
Referral Loop

Intake: A patient undergoes centralized eligibility screening to prove active HIV status, household income at or below local federal poverty limits, and physical residency within the regional TGA borders.

Clinical Order: An AHF primary care physician evaluates complex medical developments (such as cardiac, renal, neurological, or oncology needs) and enters a formal electronic subspecialty referral request.

Authorization: The Clark County Ryan White administrative team or designated third-party reviewer cross-references the medical order against local Ryan White allowable service guidelines, verifying active funding before issuing a specialist care voucher.

Closing the Loop: The authorized external specialist evaluates or treats the patient and feeds detailed clinical treatment notes back to the originating AHF clinic to ensure care continuity.

Scope of Coverage
Inclusions: Necessary outpatient diagnostic exams, laboratory tracking, and therapeutic specialty care rendered by licensed, credentialed physicians (e.g., Cardiology, Neurology, Endocrinology, Dermatology).

Exclusions: Emergency room interventions, acute inpatient hospitalizations, trauma protocols, and cosmetic procedures lacking documented clinical necessity.

Mandate (Payer of Last Resort): In alignment with federal Ryan White statutory mandates, allocations function strictly as the payer of last resort. All public or private health insurance resources (such as Nevada Medicaid, Medicare, or private group plans) must be fully exhausted prior to utilizing Ryan White contract dollars.

Core Service Allocation: At least 75% of the total local Ryan White grant funding must be contractually dedicated to Core Medical Services, which directly covers outpatient ambulatory care and medical subspecialties.

Proof of HIV Status: Lab report showing a positive HIV viral load, Western Blot, or a signed medical diagnosis form from a licensed Physician.

Proof of Residency: Utility bill, lease agreement, or official mail showing you live within the state or county service area (unhoused individuals can submit a letter from a shelter or caseworker.

Proof of Income: Recent Pay stubs, W-2 forms, tax returns, or a notarized letter of support showing your household income falls below the local limit.

Income limits in Nevada: Your income cannot exceed the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Percentage of 400% $63,840.

For Existing Patients of AHF Healthcare Centers(Las Vegas or North Las Vegas Healthcare Centers)

If you are already using the AHF Las Vegas or AHF North Las Vegas Healthcare Centers for your primary care, getting a referral to a specialist follows an organized, in-house pipeline:

Talk to your AHF Primary Care Provider (PCP): During your regular check-up, tell your PCP about any advanced health issues you are experiencing (such as heart, kidney, nerve, or skin problems). Only your PCP can officially submit a specialist referral; you cannot self-refer.

Let the Clinic Team Handle the Paperwork: Once your PCP agrees a specialist is needed, your healthcare center's referral coordinator will electronically send the request to the Clark County Ryan White network for approval. They ensure the visit will be covered before the patient goes.

Book the Appointment Quickly: The clinic will notify you as soon as the county approves the specialist match. You must call and schedule the appointment right away because these county approvals have strict expiration dates. If it expires, the doctor has to start the paperwork over.

Pick Up Specialty Medication Flexibly: Any prescriptions written by the approved outside specialist can be filled or sent for home delivery interchangeably through the shared AHF Pharmacy network in the Las Vegas valley.

Keep the 6-Month Recertification Active: Specialist coverage is directly tied to an active Ryan White account. You must meet with your case manager every 6 months to prove your local income and residency haven't changed, or your specialist coverage will be paused.

For People Who Are NOT Patients of AHF Clinic:
If you live in Clark County but do not use an AHF clinic for primary care, you can still access the county's specialized medical network by taking these steps:

Start with Centralized Intake: You must first register with the Southern Nevada regional Ryan White program. You can do this by contacting local community intake hubs, such as The LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada (thecenterlv.org) or the Southern Nevada Health District.

Bring the 4 Core Documents: To clear the regional eligibility check, you will meet with an intake worker and must provide physical or digital proof of four things:

HIV Status: An official lab report or medical document confirming a positive diagnosis.

Identity: A valid government photo ID (like a driver's license).

Residency: A utility bill, rental lease, or official mail showing they live in Clark County (or neighboring Nye County).

Income: Pay stubs, tax records, or public benefits letters proving their household income meets the local program guidelines.

Establish a Primary Medical Home(Healthcare Center): Once the county approves the paperwork, you will be linked to an approved HIV primary care doctor. You can choose to be part of the AHF Las Vegas or North Las Vegas Healthcare Centers or go to a non-AHF clinic as well.