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Northam: Co-pays eliminated for all Medicaid services in Virginia

Patients will no longer have to pay co-pays for services covered by Medicaid and Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS), including COVID-19-related treatment as well as other medical care.
Posted at 5:00 PM, Mar 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-20 00:16:28-04

RICHMOND, Va. -- All co-payments for Medicaid services have been eliminated in an effort to increase access to health care for Virgina's 1.5 million Medicaid members., Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday.

Patients will no longer have to pay co-pays for services covered by Medicaid and Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS), including COVID-19-related treatment as well as other medical care.

Additionally, Northam ensured that current Medicaid members will not inadvertently lose coverage due to lapses in paperwork or a change in circumstances.

Medicaid members will also be able to obtain a 90-day supply their routine prescriptions, an increase from the 30-day supply under previous rules. Pre-approval requirements for medical services have also been waived.

The Department of Medicaid Assitance Services is also expanding access to telehealth services, including allowing Medicaid reimbursement for providers who use telehealth with patients in the home.

The changes were announced by Northam on Thursday as part of a plan of action to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Virginia. As of Thursday, there are 94 coronavirus cases in the Commonwealth, and two deaths due to COVID-19.