New Data on Virginia’s Uninsured
 
Looking for data to help you better reach uninsured Virginians? The 2022 Profile of Virginia’s Uninsured (using 2021 data) is available now on the VHCF website. The Profile provides a wealth of information about uninsured Virginians, including:

  • Estimates of their number, percentage, and demographics
  • Separate analyses of uninsured children and adults
  • Estimates of access to care
  • Tables highlighting key information about the uninsured who are income-eligible for Medicaid/FAMIS and the Marketplace, including demographics and regional estimates
  • Maps profiling key subpopulations

This is the second year of data showing the impact of Medicaid expansion (effective January 1, 2019) on reducing the number of uninsured in Virginia – from 2017 to 2021, there was a 327,000-person drop in the number of nonelderly, uninsured Virginians.
 
Questions? Please contact Denise Daly Konrad, VHCF’s Director of Strategic Initiatives (dkonrad@vhcf.org).
Medicaid News Worth Celebrating

  • Dental Benefit Updates- July 1, 2022 was an exciting day for Virginia Medicaid’s Adult Dental Benefit! It marked the one-year anniversary of the benefit, which has been utilized by over 160,000 unique adults throughout the state. It was also the first day of the new payment rates, which have increased by 30%!
  • Postpartum Coverage – July 1, 2022 also marks the first day that Medicaid and FAMIS MOMS coverage will be extended to one full year postpartum. While the Public Health Emergency (PHE) has kept many Medicaid members enrolled beyond the previous cutoff of 60 days postpartum, extending it to one year is a permanent change that will continue after the PHE ends.
Reminder: Virginians Should Act Now to Update their Contact Information with Virginia Medicaid

When the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it allowed Virginia’s Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to continue most Medicaid/FAMIS members’ coverage without having to renew their eligibility annually. As a result, more than 2 million Virginians are now enrolled in Medicaid/FAMIS.

When the PHE ends, DMAS will have 14 months to renew coverage for all Virginians enrolled in Medicaid/FAMIS. Since some Medicaid/FAMIS enrollees may not have seen a renewal form in almost 3 years, if at all, households may be unaware of what they need to do. To make matters worse, many families had to move during the pandemic, as housing costs skyrocketed. If they did not update their mailing address, they may not receive their renewal form.

Some Medicaid/FAMIS members can have their renewals completed automatically (ex parte), without having to send in renewal forms. But, for an ex parte renewal to be successful, members must still keep their contact information up-to-date.

To help spread the word about renewals resuming, DMAS has developed Public Health Emergency "Unwinding Tool Kits". The Tool Kits include flyers, social media graphics, and newsletter “blurbs” you can use to help encourage Virginians enrolled in Medicaid/FAMIS to report a change in their address, if applicable. Members who have moved or changed phone numbers in the last 3 years can report this important change:
  • To their Medicaid health plan (Managed Care Organization),
  • Online at commonhelp.virginia.gov,
  • By calling the local Department of Social Services, or
  • By calling Virginia’s ONEBenefits line at 1-833-5CALLVA.
Welcoming VHCF’s New Program Officer

Tara Wiley is VHCF’s new Health Access Program Officer. Most recently, Tara worked in public health communications and grantwriting for the Richmond/Henrico health district. She will bring an exciting perspective to serving Virginia’s health access organizations. We are delighted to have her join the VHCF family! You can reach Tara at (804) 828-5804 or via email. 
Introducing Boost 200

Virginia is in the midst of a mental health crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, societal stressors, and a shortage of BH professionals. Demand for counseling services exceeds the capacity of the state’s licensed behavioral health professionals.

One significant barrier faced by those who want to become licensed in Virginia as an LCSW or LPC is the financial cost of completing required clinical and supervision hours: about $10,000 and $20,000, respectively. Many must pay out-of-pocket for the supervision. This financial burden makes it difficult, if not impossible, for many to pay while meeting basic living expenses and paying student loan debt. As a result, every year, there are Masters graduates who want to become licensed therapists, but are unable to do so.

Boost 200 is an innovative new initiative that will address this problem by paying for the fees of supervision required for licensure. Funded by the 2022 General Assembly, this program will accelerate licensure for 200 motivated Masters-prepared Social Workers and Counselors to help them become LPCs or LCSWs. In return, these therapists commit to treating patients in Virginia for at least two years, once licensed.

  • Interested in learning more about this opportunity? Visit our website, read a Summary of the program, and review Participant Guidelines.
  • Interested in applying? Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, until all funding is obligated. Click to complete or preview the Boost 200 online application.
  • Interested in providing supervision? More information for potential supervisors is here.
  • Questions? Submit them here!
Announcing VHCF’s New Health Access Grants

VHCF's Board of Trustees has awarded the following health access grants totaling $917,113 and providing a wide range of services. These grants include:

Behavioral Health Care
  • YWCA of Richmond - $74,400 to hire a pre-licensed Master of Social Work graduate to provide pediatric behavioral health services and receive the supervision needed to become licensed
  • Tri-Area Community Health - $70,366 to support the salary of a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner to provide behavioral health medication management in Franklin County
  • The Women’s Center - $66,875 to fund two mental health clinicians to provide behavioral health services to adolescents and their families in Northern Virginia
  • New Horizons Healthcare - $51,656 to support the salary and benefits of an MSW graduate to provide integrated behavioral health services to children and families and to receive the supervision needed to become licensed
  • ARROW Project - $50,000 to support the salary of the Licensed Clinical Psychologist to expand access to psychological assessments and behavioral health care in the Staunton, Augusta, and Waynesboro area
  • Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems - $49,388 to fund an MSW graduate to expand access to tele-behavioral health care and receive the supervision needed to become licensed

Primary Medical Care
  • Daily Planet Health Services - $135,000 to fund a two full-time Advanced Practice Providers (a Nurse Practitioner and a Physician’s Assistant) to meet the high demand for primary care
  • Blue Ridge Medical Center (BRMC) - $112,500 to hire a full-time Family Nurse Practitioner to provide primary care in Appomattox

Dental Care                                                       
  • Mission Dental Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center - $100,000 to fund the purchase of dental equipment to outfit 6 new dental operatories
  • Community Action Network - $99,000 to fund a dentist in collaboration with the Free Clinic of Central Virginia to increase access to dental care in Lynchburg
  • Arlington Free Clinic - $74,178 to support the salary and benefits of a dentist and dental hygienist at AFC’s on-site clinic
  • Eastern Shore Rural Health System - $33,750 to support the salary and benefits of a dentist to treat patients at the Franktown Community Health Center in Northampton County
Save the Date for the Virginia Health Catalyst Summit – October 7!

The Catalyst Annual Summit is an event for sharing ideas, making connections, and learning from our communities to improve the oral and overall health of all Virginians. It brings together about 200 people from across the commonwealth, and offers presentations from expert speakers about relevant topics in public health, like community-based programs, social determinants of health, and patient-centered care strategies. It will take place in person in Richmond on October 7. Sign up for the Virginia Health Catalyst email list to receive Summit news and registration information. VHCF will pay the early bird registration rate for up to two representatives from each health and dental safety net organization. Contact Tara Wiley at 804-828-5804 or tara@vhcf.org for more information on the safety net scholarships.
Don't Forget About the Professional Development Funds Available to You!

Charlottesville Free Clinic recently utilized VHCF’s Professional Development Funds to support staff members’ participation in a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training. Are you (or a staff member) going to engage in learning opportunities? VHCF offers up to $650 per organization per year to pay for professional development opportunities that enhance the skills or knowledge of staff or board members.
 
VHCF also has a variety of informational resources to help you and your staff meet your goals. Check out some of our resources for providers here! Don't see what you are looking for? Let us know!
 
Is it time for you to update or create a new strategic plan? VHCF provides up to $3,500 to underwrite the development of a new strategic plan. Contact Andrea Lancaster to learn more.
Upcoming VHCF Trainings/Meetings
  
  • SignUpNow currently offers two live, online trainings. SignUpNow 1 workshops cover the “ins and outs” of eligibility requirements, application procedures, and post-enrollment information for Virginia’s Medicaid/FAMIS programs for children, adults, and families. SignUpNow 2 workshops cover information for Virginia’s Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid-covered groups. Learn more about both trainings and upcoming dates here.

  • Upcoming virtual trainings on how to use The Pharmacy Connection (TPC) for beginners are scheduled for July 19 (9:30-11:30), August 11 (10:00-12:00), and September 13 (10:00-12:00). Advanced TPC trainings (also virtual) are scheduled for July 27 (1:00-3:00) and September 22 (10:00-12:00). For additional training dates or more information click here or contact Lisa Hueston, TPC Program Manager, at (804) 828-5803.
Does your organization have innovative programs or creative solutions to share?

We'd love to hear from you so we can help share it with others! Please contact Andrea Lancaster or Tara Wiley with your stories!