NEW! Twelve-Month Continuous Eligibility for Kids in Medicaid/FAMIS!

As of January 1, 2024, most children enrolled in Medicaid/FAMIS will receive one full year of coverage from the time they are determined eligible, even if their family’s circumstances change. This means that even if a child’s family reports a change in income that pushes them over the limit for Medicaid eligibility, the children in that family will stay eligible for (and enrolled in) Medicaid until their annual renewal.

This change will help reduce churn among children whose family incomes are close to the eligibility limit, and will help ensure that these children continue to receive the care they need to stay healthy.

While Medicaid and FAMIS are often thought to be the same program, they have some differences. FAMIS Plus, aka “children’s Medicaid,” offers slightly more robust benefits than FAMIS.* If the family of a FAMIS-enrolled child reports a decrease in income, that family’s child will be moved to FAMIS Plus. If a FAMIS Plus child’s family reports an increase in income, that child will remain enrolled in FAMIS Plus, rather than move to FAMIS.

Exceptions to this new continuous eligibility policy include if a child’s family:

1.   Moves permanently out of Virginia,

2.   Requests that their Medicaid/FAMIS be terminated,

3.   Turns 19 years old, or

4.   Became enrolled due to error or fraud

*Children enrolled in Medicaid, aka “FAMIS Plus,” receive Non-Emergency Transportation, Long Term Services and Supports (if qualified per medical screening), and a special federal Medicaid benefit called Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT). FAMIS-enrolled children do not receive these benefits after their initial enrollment.

Make 2024 the Year of Good Oral Health

Brought to you by Smiles For Children



Oral health is key to good health overall. Here are 5 Oral Health Resolutions for 2024, for you and your clients/patients:



• Floss regularly. We know we should floss daily, but some do not. Aim to increase flossing in the new year. You could reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Plus, you will have fresher breath! 

• Brush for a full 2 minutes. Studies have shown that most people brush for less than 60 seconds. To ensure you are brushing the full recommended 2 minutes, use a timer. 

• Quit smoking. Smoking is a dangerous habit for your teeth and health. Smoking increases gum disease and tooth loss. If this is on your list, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free resources to help quit smoking.

• Stay hydrated. In addition to reducing hunger and fatigue, staying hydrated can boost oral health! When your mouth is dry, there is not enough saliva to wash bacteria away, increasing the risk of cavities and bad breath.

• Visit the dentist regularly. See the dentist at least twice yearly for regular cleanings. If anxiety keeps you from going, let the provider know. There may be options that can help reduce your dental fear.

Medicaid/FAMIS members who need help finding a dentist can call the Smiles For Children member services line at 1-888-912-3456. 

Virginians who do not have dental insurance can visit vhcf.org/looking-for-dental-care/ and enter an address to find a local clinic offering free or discounted dental services.

DentaQuest would like to introduce its new Virginia Smiles for Children Outreach Coordinator, Tim Whited. Tim previously served as DMAS’s Southwest Regional Outreach and Engagement Coordinator. Tim will cover the state's Southwest and Roanoke/Alleghany Regions. He can be reached at tim.whited@greatdentalplans.com. 

NEW! SignUpNow Workshop Dates Announced!

The Virginia Health Care Foundation has announced Winter-Spring 2024 SignUpNow workshops to help you assist your clients with applying for and renewing their Medicaid/FAMIS. SignUpNow offers 2 training workshops (Please Note: Workshops cover different material, please read carefully to ensure you are registering for the workshop you would like to attend.):

• SignUpNow – Medicaid/FAMIS workshops cover the “ins and outs” of the eligibility requirements, application procedures, and post-enrollment information for Virginia’s Medicaid/FAMIS programs for children and families (Medicaid Expansion, and the FAMIS programs). Click here to register for a SignUpNow – Medicaid/FAMIS workshop.

• SignUpNow – ABD workshops cover information for Virginia’s Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid covered groups, including ABD with Income ≤80% FPL; programs for Virginians who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), an Auxiliary Grant, or Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS); and the Medicare Savings Programs. Click here to register for a SignUpNow – ABD workshop. 

Register today at vhcf.org/workshops/ to attend a workshop!

NEW! Tab Measuring Medicaid/FAMIS “Churn” Added to DMAS Dashboard

As part of its commitment to tracking outcomes during Virginia’s return to conducting Medicaid/FAMIS renewals following the COVID-19 pandemic, Virginia’s Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has added a new, “Overall Procedural Closure” tab to its “Redetermination Tracker” dashboard. This new tab tracks “churn,” which occurs when a Medicaid/FAMIS member loses his/her coverage, only to return to Medicaid/FAMIS within a short period of time. Most often, those who “churn” off and back onto Medicaid/FAMIS lost their coverage for paperwork-related reasons, like not completing a renewal packet when requested.

The churn dashboard demonstrates Virginians who have lost their Medicaid/FAMIS due to not completing their renewal application have later completed and returned it within 3 months. Ongoing outreach through Virginia’s Managed Care Organizations, community outreach workers, and others is helping ensure that the number of members returning to Medicaid continues to increase.

Reminder: Medicaid/FAMIS Enrollment Available Year-Round!

While Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Period has ended for 2024, Virginians who are terminated from Medicaid/FAMIS due to no longer being eligible (e.g., having an income above the Medicaid/FAMIS limit) can still shop on the Marketplace anytime through July 2024.

And, don’t forget: Virginians can apply for/enroll in Medicaid/FAMIS 365 days a year. They are not required to enroll within a specific window.

Medicaid/FAMIS Enrollment

As of January 15, 2024, there were 2.12 million Virginians enrolled in Medicaid/FAMIS. This includes:

• 708,921 adults enrolled in Medicaid Expansion (“New Adult Coverage”);
• 39,266 pregnant/postpartum enrollees in Medicaid for Pregnant Women (MPW), FAMIS MOMS, or FAMIS Prenatal Coverage;
• 831,488 children enrolled in FAMIS or FAMIS Plus;
• 232,416 individuals enrolled due to being Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD)