The Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion is a set of new guidelines pertaining to the federally established Medicaid program. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), often referred to as “Obamacare,” introduced the ACA Medicaid expansion to cover a broad range of potential beneficiaries who were previously ineligible for Medicaid. However, the expansion of Medicaid is an optional set of guidelines that each state may choose to adopt or ignore. For potential recipients, understanding what is the expansion of Medicaid makes it easier to know how to move forward with respect to obtaining affordable health care. For instance, the Obamacare Medicaid expansion details changed the eligibility requirements to include more potential beneficiaries. Under the ACA expansion of Medicaid, income is the primary requirement regardless of age, disability or other previously required conditions. However, since the expansion is optional, not all states accepted the new guidelines, and eligibility requirements may remain the same. The answer to the question “What is the Obamacare Medicaid expansion in Virginia?” is vital for residents seeking low-cost health care to understand.

Learn About the ACA Medicaid Expansion in Virginia

The Obamacare Medicaid expansion is a set of optional guidelines made available to all 50 states and Washington, D.C. So far, 31 states and Washington, D.C. have implemented the new Affordable Care Act Medicaid eligibility rules to extend coverage to a broader range of recipients. The Medicaid expansion details further include additional financial resources granted to states that accept the new guidelines. The ACA Medicaid expansion cost to states is minimal, as the federal government provides the funding. Unfortunately for some applicants, Virginia is one of the states that did not choose to take advantage of the new Medicaid rules.

The federal government creates the Obamacare Medicaid expansion details while the program is administered and managed locally by the state government. The ACA expansion of Medicaid also provides financial help to states as a way to control the additional expenses associated with expansion. Since the expansion of Medicaid in Virginia did not take place, hundreds of thousands of potential beneficiaries are not covered. These potential beneficiaries fall into a “coverage gap” that exists. However, additional programs such as Governor’s Access Plan (GAP) serve to try and remedy this gap by providing coverage to more individuals.

What does opting out of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion mean for Virginia?

The lack of an Affordable Care Act expansion of Medicaid in Virginia did not affect the eligibility requirements that already exist. The VA Affordable Care Act Medicaid application is the same as before, and the process used by the Department of Medical Assistance Services to review petitions continues on with the same eligibility requirements. The design of the Obamacare expansion of Medicaid is meant to spread coverage out to a wider range of low-income residents. Since Virginia did not accept the expansion, some Medicaid applicants who do not meet a qualifying condition do not have a chance at receiving affordable medical care. However, even without a Medicaid expansion in VA, the Medicaid program still covers such potential recipients as children, the disabled, parents and caretakers of minors, pregnant woman and the elderly.

Furthermore, other Medicaid eligibility requirements in VA are still in place, such as income and financial levels. Medicaid petitioners will still need to fulfill all the requirements for eligibility as determined by state officials. For applicants seeking assistance, understanding the ACA Medicaid expansion and its new guidelines will not help with the process. To learn more about Medicaid guidelines, download our comprehensive guide today.

Will Virginia ever expand its Medicaid program?

Virginia will not adopt the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion anytime soon. The potential Medicaid expansion cost to states is one of the reasons for rejecting the program given by state lawmakers. Another point keeping states from accepting the ACA Medicaid expansion includes the shifting political climate in Congress. New policies may enhance Medicaid and increase expansion or eliminate it altogether. Residents in Virginia seeking Medicaid coverage only need concern themselves with the current guidelines.

Note: Virginia did not adopt the Obamacare ACA Medicaid expansion, but that does not mean residents are left without any hope. Individuals or families seeking assistance who do not qualify for Medicaid may be eligible for other programs such as the aforementioned GAP. The Department of Medical Assistance Services offers other parts of the Medicaid program such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).