City of Alexandria Reminds Residents of Medicaid Coverage Open Enrollment Beginning November 1

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Sept. 17 -- The city of Alexandria issued the following news release:

On November 1, an estimated 6,000 Alexandria residents will be among more than 400,000 adults in Virginia who will become eligible to enroll in quality, low cost health insurance due to a change in Medicaid rules. Medicaid provides free or low-cost health coverage to millions of low-income Americans, including individuals, families and children, pregnant women and people with disabilities.

To qualify for the new coverage, which begins January 1, 2019, individuals must be Virginia residents between the ages of 19 and 64, not already enrolled or eligible for Medicare, and meet income requirements, which vary by household size. In addition, under the new rules, annual income levels for eligibility were raised for families and people with disabilities.

People working in retail, construction, childcare, landscaping, food service or other jobs that do not offer health insurance may be eligible for the new coverage, which will include, but is not limited to, regular preventive care, wellness services, prescriptions and treatment for chronic health conditions.

Those who are currently covered by the Affordable Care Act (also known as "ACA" or "Obamacare") should be aware that if they qualify for the expanded Medicaid coverage and do not enroll, they will lose their ACA subsidy and will be charged the full premium for their insurance at the next renewal. Each recipient of ACA coverage should have a Medicaid eligibility screening or application to determine which option is best for them.

Representatives from the Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services will be available to answer questions about Medicaid at T.C. Williams High School's Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 26, at 6:30 p.m. Check the City calendar for additional events that will include Medicaid information.

Enrollment for the new Medicaid coverage begins November 1. Coverage begins January 1, 2019. For more information, visit www.coverva.org or call 1.855.242.8282.