Upcoming Event

Register Today 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. Topics will include racial equity, community engagement, dental workforce trends, barriers to care, the Medicaid adult dental benefit and more! It will take place in person in Richmond on October 7. Review the agenda and register here by tomorrow, September 16 to secure the early bird rate ($180). VHCF will pay the early bird registration rate for one representative from each dental safety net organization. Request reimbursement here or contact Tara Wiley at 804-828-5804 or tara@vhcf.org for more information on the safety net scholarships.

News and Announcements

Now is the time to apply for Boost 200!


Virginia is in the midst of a mental health crisis, with demand for counseling services far exceeding the capacity of currently licensed behavioral health professionals. At the same time, qualified graduates seeking licensure as LPCs or LCSWs can face steep financial barriers to completing supervision requirements. To address these challenges, VHCF is piloting Boost 200, a special initiative to support required supervision for 100 each of Masters-prepared social workers and counselors seeking licensure. The application is open, and VHCF has already begun enrolling people in the program. Demand is high. Anyone interested in applying should act quickly! Apply online or check out the Boost 200 page to learn more. 

Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace Starts November 1


Most Virginians who purchase private health insurance from the federal Marketplace will need to sign up for 2023 coverage during the 11-week Open Enrollment Period. Those who do not sign up during Open Enrollment will not be able to sign up for 2023 coverage unless they experience an unexpected event like losing 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.


Virginians interested in purchasing health insurance through the Marketplace can work one-on-one with a navigator through Cover Virginia, visit healthcare.gov, or call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) to apply on their own.

Reminder: Those Covered by Medicaid Should Act Now to Update their Contact Information


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 temporarily discontinue annual renewals of eligibility for most Medicaid/FAMIS members. The PHE is likely to end soon. To receive notices when the renewal requirement resumes, members must 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 in four ways:


  • Contacting their 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.


What We're Reading

  • Data to drive action: The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently released its 2022 KIDS COUNT Data Book, which tracks child wellbeing at national, state, and local level as well as by race. The Voices for Virginia's Children blog has a breakdown of the Virginia-specific data. Overall, Virginia ranks 13th in the nation for child well-being overall and 24th for health-related indicators such as birth weight, insurance status, and obesity.  The report also indicates that 11% of Virginia’s children ages 3-17 are suffering from anxiety and depression. Given that the report is based on data collected in 2019 and 2020, however, actual rates of childhood anxiety and depression may be higher as a result of pandemic-related stress and trauma.

 

Additional Resources

  • VHCF offers two types of technical assistance funding with rolling applications. Up to $650 is available per organization per year to pay for professional development opportunities that enhance the skills or knowledge of staff or board members. Up to $3,500 is available every three years to underwrite the development of a new strategic plan. Contact Andrea Lancaster to learn more about both of these funding opportunities.


  • SignUpNow currently offers two different live, online trainings. SignUpNow FAMIS/Medicaid 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 ABD 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 for both new and experienced users on how to use The Pharmacy Connection (TPC) for new and experienced users are scheduled through December. For more information or to register for a training, click here.

 

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!
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