Virginia Individual and Family Health Insurance

Analyze and compare different Virginia health insurance plans offered through the metropolitan areas of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Richmond, Arlington, Newport News, East Hampton, Hampton, Alexandria, and Portsmouth.

The State of Affairs of Virginia’s Health Insurance

Healthcare expenditures in Virginia totaled over 36 billion dollars in 2004.  The largest portion of these expenses was allocated on hospitalizations, as well as fees associated with physician and professional care.  Virginians must consistently cope with an annual healthcare expense growth rate of 7%, and subsequently, finding affordable Virginia health insurance is essential. 

The Old Dominion is home to over 7.5 million residents, with 20% of the population covered under Medicaid and/or Medicare.  Approximately 59% or 4.4 million individuals secure their Virginia health insurance coverage through employers, but they are responsible for paying average premiums of $982 for individual health insurance and $3,564 for family health insurance plans.

These Vermont premiums are significantly higher when compared to other states.  In addition, it is wrong to assume that Vermont’s employer-based health insurance is the most affordable. In fact, insurers on the individual market offer more affordable premiums, which is great news for those looking for self employed health insurance and individual health insurance plans. If you would like to review these low-cost Virginia health plans, InsureMonkey is here to help as your proud health insurance agent. 

Virginia Health Insurance Providers

Virginia’s High Risk Pool

Virginia does not have a state-sponsored health insurance plan for its residents who are categorized as high-risk by most private insurers. Its State Legislature decided that the best approach to help this sector of its constituency is to have an “open enrollment program.” With this program, Virginians with preexisting medical conditions are encouraged to obtain coverage from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. The State Government encourages this carrier to provide health insurance coverage to Virginia’s high-risk residents by imposing lower premium tax rates.

For more information and to get a health insurance plan from Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield, call the main office in Richmond, Virginia at 804-354-7000.

Virginia’s Uninsured

The Urban Institute and the Kaiser Commission conducted a 2006 – 2007 survey that revealed that Virginia has more than 1 million uninsured residents.  Approximately 19% of this figure, or 207,000, are uninsured children.  According to the survey of the Urban Institute, the number of uninsured residents falling below the poverty line is six times higher than those who are 300% above the poverty line!

The high cost of health insurance is the primary reason for the large number of Virginians who are uninsured. This number, fortunately, can be lowered. All that is needed is to provide Virginians a wide variety of options and updated information about the State’s health policies. InsureMonkey exists to meet these needs.

Virginia SCHIP

In the State of Virginia, the SCHIP is better known as the FAMIS or Family Access to Medical Insurance Security. This healthcare plan complements the State’s Medicaid programs so that uninsured children ineligible for Medicaid can still obtain quality medical services at affordable costs. In fact, there are no enrollment costs and no monthly premiums. Families may make small co-payments, about $5.00, only for some medical services.

To be eligible for FAMIS, the child must be younger than 19 years old, must live in Virginia, and has not enjoyed a health insurance plan for the previous four months. The child, to obtain of FAMIS benefits, must not be eligible for other state healthcare insurance programs and must live in a family that meets the income requirements. Income eligibility requirements require parents to generate a total household income that falls between 133% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level as of January 2009. This translates to an annual income between $23,408 and $35,200.

For more information about FAMIS, please contact 1-866-873-2647 or visit the website at http://www.famis.org/. The application process can be initiated by phone, by mail or by fax. Applications can also be completed on line at http://www.famis.org/apply.cfm?lang=English##.

Medicaid in Virginia

In the State of Virginia, the groups covered by Medicaid include pregnant women, children, people with disabilities, and people who are 65 years old and older. The Medicaid benefits are stratified into three levels: 1) Full coverage, 2) Time-limited coverage, and 3) Medicare-related coverage. The State’s public health insurance plan also has FAMIS Plus to complement the Medicaid Program.

Initial eligibility screening can be done at the official website of the Department of Social Services (DSS), but final approval is given by the eligibility worker of the local DSS. Here is, however, a quick look at income eligibility requirements.

•    Children
      o    Infants Ages 0-1:  $23,408 or 133% of the Federal Poverty Level as of January 2009
      o    Children Ages 1-5:  $23,408 or 133% of the Federal Poverty Level as of January 2009
      o    Children Ages 6-19:  $17,600 or 133% of the Federal Poverty Level as of January 2009
•    Parents
      o    Non-Working:  $4,272 or 24% of the Federal Poverty Level as of January 2009
      o    Working:  $5,352 or 30% of the Federal Poverty Level as of January 2009
•    Women
      o    Pregnant women: $32,560 or 185% of the Federal Poverty Level as of January 2009

For more information about eligibility and to apply for Medicaid, please contact the local DSS office. For beneficiaries who are blind, disabled, or over 65 years old, more information can be obtained by calling this toll free number: 1-800-552-3402.

(Facts throughout this page provided by the Kaiser Family Foundation at www.statehealthfacts.org and by The New Health Insurance Solution at www.tnhis.com.  Commentary provided by InsureMonkey.)

State Resources

Department of Health
Website: http://www.vdh.state.va.us/
Phone: (800) 533-4148

Virginia Department of Insurance
Website: http://www.state.va.us/scc/division/boi/
Phone: 800-552-7945