We Hope You Like Our New Look!

VHCF strives to bring content-driven newsletters relevant to you. Earlier this year we surveyed our readers about the content, format and other details of the SignUpNow Outreach newsletter. We were delighted to hear the positive feedback, as well as your preferences and suggestions. The format and content of this edition incorporates many of the suggested changes. We hope you like them and we'd be delighted to hear what you think! Let us know (804-828-5804 or [email protected]

 

Elimination of the 4 Month Waiting Period!

Good News! Beginning July 1, children in Virginia no longer have to wait 4 months to get FAMIS coverage after their private health insurance ends. Help us spread the word and make sure your materials and websites, etc. are up-to-date and reflect this important change.

 

Deemed Newborns and Hospital Presumptive Eligibility (HPE)

Each year, approximately 30,000 newborns are deemed eligible for Medicaid or FAMIS if the mother is enrolled in Medicaid or FAMIS /FAMIS MOMS at the time she gives birth.  Since January 1, 2014, using a new on-line form, hospital staff have been able to expedite the enrollment of more than 5,000 newborns via the Medicaid Provider Web Portal. Read More... 

 

NEW Online Modules Available

Do you have a new employee/volunteer who needs to get up to speed on the rules and regulations of the FAMIS programs? Do you attend an in person training and need a refresher? The SignUpNow on-line, on-demand training modules were updated with all of the new eligibility and enrollment processes as of April 2014.  Read More... 

 

New MCO Managed Care Enrollment Process for Medicaid/FAMIS Plus Enrollees

Beginning August 1, 2014, the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) will shorten the period of time between when someone is determined eligible for Medicaid/FAMIS Plus and when they are enrolled in their Medicaid Managed Care health plan. Read More...

 

Social Security Income of Dependents

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently provided clarification to Virginia about when to count Social Security income (Survivor's Benefits, Disability, and Retirement) for a child's FAMIS/FAMIS Plus eligibility. Read More...

 

Some People May Still Be Eligible for Enrollment into the Marketplace

Although the open enrollment period for insurance available through the federal marketplace ended on March 31, 2014, there are a variety of circumstances that make them eligible to enroll now. Read More... 

 

Updates to Paper Application

The Cover Virginia Application for Health Coverage & Help Paying Costs has been updated as of February 24, 2014 and is available for print or order from the Cover Virginia Website here. 

 

This new version of the application rewords several questions and also includes a new section on Appendix C - "Assistance with Completing this Application".  Appendix C has always provided an opportunity for the applicant to designate someone as an Authorized Representative and for Certified Application Counselors or Navigators to associate themselves with the application. Read More...

 

Medicaid and FAMIS Behavioral Health Services

As of December 1, 2013, Magellan Behavioral Health, Inc. (Magellan of Virginia) began managing behavioral health services for DMAS. Magellan now manages all Medicaid and FAMIS covered mental health and substance abuse treatment services for fee-for-service enrolled members.  Magellan only manages part of these benefits for Medicaid and FAMIS members enrolled with one of the DMAS managed care organizations (MCO). For details regarding the specific services managed by Magellan, please see the Medicaid Memo dated October 31, 2013 found here . Read More...

 

FAMIS Program Enrollment as of June 1, 2014 (most recent data available):

  • 63,442 children are enrolled in FAMIS (including 278 in FAMIS Select);
  • 520,523 children are enrolled in FAMIS Plus (including the CHIP Medicaid Expansion);
  • 452 pregnant women are enrolled in FAMIS MOMS;
  • 15,960 pregnant women are enrolled in Medicaid for Pregnant Women; and
  • 57,277 men and women are enrolled in Plan First.
Welcome New VHCF Staff
  • Denise Daly Konrad, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Policy
  • Cat Hulburt, Senior Program Officer
  • Rachel Rees, Deputy Director of Programs and Operations 
 Click here to learn more about them

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