The Shadow
LEXINGTON — Enrollment for new, low-cost health care coverage in Virginia is open through Dec. 15.
It’s our mission to improve the health of the communities that we serve, and it’s hard to think of a better way to do that than making sure that our neighbors can access care through coverage that makes sense for them.
With the deadline fast approaching, you are encouraged to learn about your options and get signed up now!
The best source for information is available at www.coverva.org.
There, you can use a screening tool to determine if you are likely to qualify for coverage.
You can also sign up to receive regular e-mail or text message updates about new coverage and the enrollment process. Folks are also invited to call 1-855-242-8282 for more information.
The information phone line for people who are hearing impaired is 1-888-221-1590.
New coverage for adults is available for men and women ages 19-64 who aren’t eligible for Medicare, and who meet income eligibility guidelines, which vary depending on family size.
For example, a single adult who earns less than $16,754 in annual income may be eligible.
The income threshold for an adult in a two-person household is $22,715.
It is $28,677 for an adult in a three-person household, and $34,638 for an adult in a four-person household.
This coverage, also known as Medicaid expansion, will offer a comprehensive package of health services, including coverage for primary and specialty care visits, hospital stays and prescription medications.
Individuals with chronic diseases will have access to the essential sustained care.
It will also help cover behavioral health and addiction treatment.
Right now, many people without insurance delay needed medical care for too long.
Eventually, they end up in a hospital emergency room when their condition is much worse, the cost of care is much greater, and their recovery time is much longer.
That is not an ideal circumstance for the patient, health care provider, or economy because that person is removed from the workforce, and the unpaid cost of their care ultimately gets passed on to taxpayers and consumers in the form of higher insurance rates.
In southwest Virginia, more than 20,000 local Virginians will be eligible to enroll in this new health care coverage.
The Dec. 15 deadline for coverage enrollment is approaching. Virginia adults interested in learning more are encouraged to visit www.coverva.org.
People can also call 1-855-242-8282 (or 1-888-221-1590 for hearing impaired people) for more information.
