Virginia Medicaid Members: Prescription Medications Update
During the COVID-19 health emergency, Virginia Medicaid members could get a 90-day supply of all their prescription medicines.
Starting October 1, 2021, Medicaid members may still be able to get 90-day supplies of some prescriptions. Other medicines will be available in a 34-day supply, a return to the policy in place before the health emergency.
The drugs still available in 90-day supplies include many of the medicines on the Preferred Drug List used most often by members. These medicines require long-term use for health conditions. If your medicines qualify for a 90-day supply, you will first receive two shorter refills of 34-days each. After these two shorter refills, you will return to refills lasting 90 days.
If your medicine is not eligible for longer-term supplies, you will return to 34-day supplies of your prescriptions.
Public Health Emergency (PHE) Updates and Reminders
The COVID-19 Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) has been officially extended until mid-October 2021, and will likely continue through the end of 2021, at the earliest. This means that no Virginians should lose Medicaid/FAMIS coverage for failure to complete a renewal during the PHE. For more information, click here.
Temporary Policy Change Makes More Afghan Evacuees Eligible for Medicaid
Due to a recent federal policy change, adult Afghan evacuees who enter the U.S. with Humanitarian Parole status no longer have to meet the 5-year residency requirement (sometimes called the “5-year bar”) to be eligible for Medicaid. Read more here!
NEW Special Enrollment Period on the Health Insurance Marketplace
Did you or someone you know miss the August 15, 2021 Special Enrollment deadline? Those who were eligible for unemployment benefits at any time during 2021 are now eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), to buy health insurance through the Marketplace. This means they do not have to wait for the Open Enrollment Period to shop for a Marketplace plan.
This SEP is only available to Virginians through a special process. If you think your client may be eligible for this SEP, contact a Navigator or Certified Application Counselor (CAC) to apply. Find a local Navigator or CAC at coverva.org/en/find-help-in-your-area.
Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace is November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022
Most Virginians will need to sign up during the Open Enrollment Period to have coverage in 2022. Those who do not sign up during Open Enrollment may not be able to sign up for 2022 coverage, unless they lose other health insurance coverage (including Medicaid/FAMIS); move outside their current insurer’s covered area; or have a qualifying life event, like getting married or having/adopting a child.
Fall and Winter 2021 SignUpNow Training Dates Announced!
Need information on Virginia’s Medicaid/FAMIS programs, including NEW FAMIS Prenatal (coverage for undocumented pregnant women), the Adult Dental Benefit, and changes to Medicaid due to the Public Health Emergency? Register to attend a SignUpNow workshop at vhcf.org/workshops.
SignUpNow teaches the “ins and outs” of the eligibility requirements, application procedures, and post-enrollment information for Virginia’s Medicaid/FAMIS programs:
- New Adult Coverage
- Programs for children and pregnant women
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Plan First (family planning)
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Low Income Families with Children (LIFC) program
- Medicaid for Former Foster Care Youth
