What is Medicaid Expansion in Virginia?
Virginia undertook a program called Medicaid Expansion that now provides access to more residents than ever. Medicaid is a crucial program for low income residents, many of whom would not be able to afford things like nursing home care without support. But there are many misconceptions around how to get Medicaid coverage and support in Virginia.
Misunderstanding even just one of these could derail your long term care plans. When you need Medicaid coverage the most, you need to be prepared by understanding the qualification process. That’s where the support of a Virginia Beach VA Medicaid planning lawyer can make a big difference in giving you peace of mind. A 2018 budget bill called for the expansion of the program in Virginia, which now allows people earning up to 138 percent of the poverty level to tap into Medicaid benefits.
As a result of the expansion program, legislators expected a further 400,000 people to become eligible for benefits. But when COVID hit, that number was exceeded. Many people have been affected financially and have also needed recovery care if they were diagnosed with COVID.
Right now, Virginia allows the following groups to apply for and receive Medicaid:
- Low income elderly residents
- Disabled residents
- Pregnant women with households at a maximum of 143 percent of the poverty level
- Adults under age 65 with income under the 138 percent poverty level
- Children under 18 where their households earn no more than 138 percent of the poverty level
When planning for the possibility of a nursing home stay in the future, you can’t afford to miscalculate. You need the support of an experienced Virginia Beach Medicaid lawyer to discuss a spenddown strategy that could protect a healthy spouse if you were to need a nursing home stay. Call today to set up a consultation.
