Ballad Health holding events for Virginia Medicaid enrollment

Thanks to recent legislation in the Commonwealth of Virginia, 400,000 more adults will have access to healthcare coverage in 2019. Approximately 21,000 of those newly eligible Virginians live in Southwest Virginia, and Ballad Health is working to help them understand their options.

The health system is helping people find out if they qualify for Medicaid and assisting them in applying for coverage during the free enrollment events listed below.

Tuesday, Nov. 13, 3 to 7 p.m.

• Lonesome Pine Hospital, Big Stone Gap
• Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon

Thursday, Nov. 15, 3 to 7 p.m.

• Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol
• Dickenson Community Hospital, Clintwood
• Mountain View Regional Hospital, Norton
• Smyth County Community Hospital, Marion

Saturday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol
• Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon
• Norton Community Hospital, Norton

Tuesday, Nov. 20, 3 to 7 p.m.

• Russell County Hospital, Lebanon

No appointment is needed.

Individuals eligible for Virginia Medicaid include adults ages 19-64 who are not already in or eligible for Medicare. Eligibility is determined by income requirements, such as a single adult who makes less than $16,754 per year, or a family of three with a household income of less than $28,677. Plans cover a range of healthcare needs, including physician services, prescriptions, laboratory and X-ray, behavioral health, family planning, preventive care and wellness services.

Previously, Virginia Medicaid was only available to disabled individuals making less than $9,700 per year, or a family of three making less than $6,900. Able-bodied, childless adults were not eligible, regardless of their income. The state’s senate and House of Delegates debated the expansion for five years before passing new legislation in May.

Enrollment specialists are also available at every Ballad Health hospital Monday through Friday during normal business hours. In addition to meeting one-on-one with interested individuals, the enrollment specialists also work with patients who might qualify for Medicaid plans.

Coverage for Virginia Medicaid begins Jan. 1, 2019.

Those unable to attend the enrollment events are welcome to visit the enrollment specialists at Ballad Health hospitals, and no appointments are needed. They can also call 888-203-5763 to learn more.

For more information about Virginia Medicaid, please visit www.coverva.org. Health Insurance Marketplace information and enrollment can be found at www.healthcare.gov.