Virginia Beach Begins Accepting Applications Under Expanded Health Coverage

VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia, Oct. 22 -- The city of Virginia Beach issued the following news release:

Virginia Beach Department of Human Services will begin accepting Medicaid applications for the expanded coverage group on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018. Healthcare coverage for the newly eligible population will officially begin Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019.

As a result of passage of the 2018 General Assembly budget, Medicaid coverage will now be available for additional adults ages 19-64 years that are not also eligible for Medicare. This new law will expand eligibility to adults earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) income requirements, which vary by family size.

"Human Services is pleased to support increased access to health care coverage for Virginia Beach citizens who need it," said Virginia Beach Human Services Director Dannette R. Smith. We hope that improving access to health care will lead to better health outcomes and improved quality of life for our most vulnerable citizens."

Individuals in the Governor's Access Plan (GAP) and Planned First (PF) programs with incomes under 138 percent FPL will be automatically enrolled into Medicaid coverage. Letters informing program participants of these changes should be mailed soon.

Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP- formerly known as Food Stamps) may also be eligible for health coverage under Medicaid Expansion. Individuals in this program will be contacted by the Commonwealth of Virginia with more information on enrolling.

All other individuals interested in enrolling in Medicaid beginning Nov. 1 can do so using one of the following methods:

* Telephone: CoverVA Call Center (1-855-242-8282) or VDSS Enterprise Call Center (1-855-635-4370)

* Online: Health Insurance Marketplace (www.healthcare.gov) or CommonHelp (commonhelp.virginia.gov)

* In-Person: Virginia Beach Department of Human Services Administration Building (3432 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23452)

Additional information on coverage is available 24/7 on the CoverVA website (coverva.org) or by calling 1-855-242-8282 (1-888-221-1590 for individuals who are deaf or hearing-impaired) between the hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The website includes an eligibility screening tool to help individuals assess whether they may qualify for coverage. Visitors may also sign up to receive regular information and updates on expanded health coverage via email or text.

For those interested in further information before enrollment begins, the Interfaith Alliance at the Beach (IAB) will be hosting a pre-enrollment information session on Monday, Oct. 29, 2018 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Housing Resource Center, 104 N. Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462.