Virginia Medicaid Income Limits
You may be eligible for free or low-cost health coverage if you live in Virginia and have limited income. There are several programs, including Cardinal Care, FAMIS, and Plan First. Each has its own benefits and eligibility rules.
Virginia has a number of state-run health coverage programs for people who meet the eligibility requirements. There are no enrollment costs or monthly premiums for adults between the ages of 19 and 64 who qualify. The eligibility rules vary by age and income, and a resource test may be required. A person can also “spend down” some of their excess assets to qualify for Medicaid. In Virginia, Medicaid eligibility is determined by comparing total household income with the federal poverty level. Individuals 65 and older can qualify for Medicaid if their income exceeds 138% of the FPL. Pregnant women with household incomes up to 148% of the FPL can get coverage through FAMIS (Family Access to Medical Insurance Security). Children under age 19 can receive Medicaid through Plan First and are covered if their income is below the limits.
Virginia Medicaid is a federal-state partnership that provides free health coverage for eligible low-income people. It has programs for children and adults. There are no enrollment fees or premiums and low co-pays for some services. The state and regional health organizations are urging people on Medicaid to update their contact information to ensure they get the necessary notifications of any changes in eligibility. This is because the state’s annual review process, which was paused during the pandemic, will soon begin.
Virginia Medicaid Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
The Commonwealth of Virginia offers Medicaid and a separate Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Both programs provide health coverage to qualified families. CHIP follows Medicaid rules but has substantial flexibility in designing benefit packages within broad federal parameters. Enrollees are typically assigned to managed care organizations (MCOs).
The value of all countable assets is added together when determining Medicaid eligibility. However, some assets, such as personal belongings and household furnishings, are exempt from the calculation. Other exemptions include an automobile, irrevocable burial trusts, and home equity interest. Cash dividends and stock income are not considered income, but the value of IRA withdrawals, money in bank accounts, credit union savings, investments, and stocks is counted.
The Virginia CHIP Program offers a variety of plan options that meet the needs of different families. Some of these plans are more affordable than others. You can find more information about these plans by visiting the Cover Virginia website. The site also provides an online dashboard that allows you to view enrollment data by locality, family size, age, and region of residence.