Secretary Daniel Carey visited with Prince Edward County Social Services on Sept. 7. Discussion included Medicaid Expansion for Virginia.

According to a press release the Commonwealth of Virginia is the 33rd state, along with the District of Columbia, to approve Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Governor Ralph Northam signed a new state budget into law June 7 that will take effect Jan. 1.

The new law will expand eligibility to adults earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, or less than $17,000 a year, and includes a waiver to impose certain conditions such as a work requirement.

The Commonwealth has launched an outreach campaign called “Cover Virginia” to increase statewide awareness and optimize enrollment. Additional information pertaining to Medicaid Expansion is available at www.CoverVA.org. Applications for Medicaid Expansion will begin Nov. 15.

To assist both state staff and local agencies in this endeavor, VDSS created this Medicaid Expansion HUB (MedEx Hub).

Up to 400,000 more adults living in Virginia will have access to quality, low-cost health coverage. Virginians aged 19 – 64 will be able to visit their doctor for help with preventing illness and improving their health. People working in retail, construction, child care, landscaping, food service or other jobs that do not offer health insurance may be eligible for this low-cost health insurance in Virginia.