Enrollment in Virginia’s CHIP Program Still Behind Expectations, State Official Says

Virginia still "lags" in its efforts to enroll children in the state's CHIP program, called the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security plan, according to Kim Snead, executive director of the state's Joint Commission on Health Care, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports. As a result, Virginia is "forfeiting" $30 million to $60 million in available federal funds for FAMIS because the program is not meeting its enrollment projections, Snead said yesterday at a commission meeting. Enrollment was originally projected to be around 60,000 children, but the number peaked at 45,000 and has dropped recently. Enrollment fell as about 8,900 children were moved to Medicaid when eligibility was extended to families with higher incomes, and another 7,500 children did not meet the criteria for re-enrollment. State Sen. Bill Bolling (R) disagreed with Snead's report and said the enrollment projections "may or may not be accurate." State Sen. Stephen Martin (R) added that Virginia was not actually forfeiting the money, saying, "All that's happened is we haven't insured them; therefore, we haven't received money to cover them." However, Delegate Harvey Morgan (R) said, "There is federal money we are not using," adding, "I don't think there is any question children are not being reached." Snead noted ways the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services is making it easier for families to join FAMIS, such as using a single application for both Medicaid and FAMIS and implementing lower fees for benefits. Eye exam copayments have dropped from $25 to $2 or $5 based on family income. Dental benefits that were capped at $1,200 per child are now unlimited and orthodontic services are now capped at $2,860 per child instead of $1,200. Virginia Medicaid officials are also considering assuming that children are eligible for FAMIS if they are enrolled in free or reduced-price lunch programs (Smith, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 9/11).