11/26/2008
CHARLESTON, W.Va – Effective Jan. 1, 2009, the West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program (WVCHIP) will expand its health coverage for children by increasing the upper income limit for participation from 220 percent to 250 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL).
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently notified the WVCHIP that the state plan amendment submitted Oct. 3, 2008, with the expansion proposal from 220 percent to 250 percent of the FPL, was approved.
“This is great news for working West Virginia families who are in need of health care coverage for their children,” said Gov. Joe Manchin. “By expanding this program, more than 400 uninsured children may be eligible within the first complete year of the expansion, increasing to 717 over five years.”
WVCHIP will accept applications for eligibility at the new income levels beginning Jan. 1, 2009. For comparison purposes, the chart below shows the qualifying income limits for families based on 200 percent FPL, the current 220 percent FPL and the approved 250 percent FPL:
|
ANNUAL FAMILY INCOME LIMITS FOR WVCHIP ELIGIBILITY* |
|
Family Size |
200% FPL |
220% FPL
(Current Eligibility) |
250% FPL
(Effective 01/01/09) |
|
2 |
$28,000.00 |
$30,800.00 |
$35,000.00 |
|
3 |
$35,200.00 |
$38,720.00 |
$44,000.00 |
|
4 |
$42,400.00 |
$46,640.00 |
$53,000.00 |
|
5 |
$49,600.00 |
$54,560.00 |
$62,000.00 |
*Income guidelines are indexed annually; these guidelines will be adjusted to the new index by March 2009.
Families with incomes up to 200 percent FPL are not required to pay a premium and only have limited co-payments. Families with incomes exceeding 200 percent FPL are required to pay premiums at a rate of $35 per month per single child or at a rate of $71 per month for two or more children, in addition to co-payments.
Children who currently have other individual or group health coverage are not eligible and cannot be eligible unless they have been without coverage for six months at the 200 percent or lower FPL, or 12 months for those who exceed 200 percent FPL. Some dental and vision benefit limits apply to the WVCHIP Premium plan (201 percent FPL to 250 percent FPL).
Questions concerning any additional details, such as benefits, co-payments, requests for applications, should be directed to the WVCHIP Helpline at 1-877-982-2447.
Contact Information
Diane Holly
304-558-0661