The West Virginia Children's Health Insurance Program (WVCHIP) Board today approved to expand health care coverage of uninsured children in our state up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), effective July 1, 2011.
“I have eagerly looked forward to this day,” Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said. “Hard-working West Virginia families will now be able to take their children to the doctor without worrying about how to pay for the medical care and medication needed. I commend the WVCHIP Board for its action today and encourage parents to apply for WVCHIP coverage.”
This expansion will provide comprehensive health care coverage to approximately 336 additional uninsured children of working families during the first full year of implementation. Additional uninsured children are expected to be eligible for this program as a result of this change in future years: 528 children in fiscal year 2013 and 720 children by fiscal year 2014. Currently, 24,323 children receive WVCHIP coverage.
The 2006 Regular Session of the State Legislature passed legislation, which allowed WVCHIP to implement expanded coverage to uninsured children of families with income between 200 and 300 percent of the federal poverty level. The CHIP Board has exercised a fiscally responsible approach of gradual expansion in past years when uncertainty remained about federal funding levels. These concerns were largely resolved when Congress reauthorized the program in 2009. Under current guidelines, a family’s gross income (before taxes) must be at or under 250 percent of the federal poverty level for WVCHIP eligibility.
The approved expansion for CHIP’s Premium coverage will allow families of four to have an annual family income up to $67,050. For this Premium coverage, targeted at families at 201 percent or more of the federal poverty level, there is a $35 per month premium for families with one child or $71 per month for families with two or more children.
WVCHIP must receive approval of any changes to this plan from the federal agency Centers of Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS). The approval process, which can take up to 90 days, allows the state program to receive federal matching funds at approximately a 4:1 ratio.
Eligibility requirements for the WVCHIP Premium coverage include:
- Live in West Virginia
- Age 18 or younger
- Do not have group health insurance now and haven’t had it in the past 12 months
- Are not eligible for the West Virginia State Employee Health Insurance – PEIA
- Are not eligible for West Virginia Medicaid
- Live in families meeting WVCHIP Income Guidelines
- Able to pay a monthly premium share of $35 per child per month, or $71 for two or more children
- Are United States citizens or qualified aliens (Children who are not U.S. citizens must provide verification of their alien status.)
Families may apply for WVCHIP by calling the toll-free helpline at 1-877-982-2447, at their local DHHR office or by Internet at www.wvinroads.org.