Virginia notifies FAMIS recipients that coverage will continue following CHIP reauthorization

RICHMOND – Governor Ralph Northam announced today that the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services will begin notifying Virginians who benefit from the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) program that their coverage will continue uninterrupted now that Congress has reauthorized the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years.

“Virginians who were worried that their children’s health care would be disrupted by Congress’ inability to reauthorize CHIP can breathe a sigh of relief,” said Governor Northam. “The families who will receive this notification should not have had to wait this long to get certainty about their children’s’ health care. I hope the difficulty this episode created for many states and families will be a wakeup call to those in Washington who allowed this important program to expire and hang in the balance for so long. I want to thank Senators Warner and Kaine and the members of our congressional delegation who fought hard over the past few months to get this program, which creates opportunity for so many Virginia families, reauthorized.”

Below is the letter that will be sent to families who previously received notification that their coverage was at risk due to congressional inaction:

Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services

January 24, 2018

Important Update About FAMIS and FAMIS MOMS

We recently sent you a letter telling you that your FAMIS or FAMIS MOMS coverage might end on January 31, 2018.

We are very happy to tell you that on January 22, Congress approved the funding to renew FAMIS and FAMIS MOMS for a period of six years and that there is no longer any possibility that the FAMIS programs will shut down in 2018.

Important Things for You to Know

• There are NO changes to your family’s FAMIS benefits. FAMIS and FAMIS MOMS members can continue to get ALL of their health care services.
• When it is time to renew your FAMIS benefits, you will get a letter in the mail with instructions telling you how to renew your coverage. You must renew on time or you will lose FAMIS coverage!
• Visit coverva.org for more information. If you still have questions and would like to speak to a representative, please call 1-855-242-8282.

Full Release