05/14/2020
A new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that 533,000 Virginians could lose their employer sponsored health insurance as a result of a job loss during the COVID-19 crisis. 306,000 of those would be eligible for Medicaid, and DMAS is reporting almost 4,000 Medicaid applications in just the last week. Of the remaining 227,000 who lost coverage, over half would be eligible for a subsidized ACA plan.
https://www.kff.org/report-section/eligibility-for-aca-health-coverage-following-job-loss-appendix/
Virginia’s health insurance industry is working to provide coverage options for these individuals. In April, the Virginia Association of Health Plans put together a short MEMO to guide Virginians who lose coverage during this crisis. People who have lost coverage have three options available to remain insured or to get new coverage. First, some employers are continuing to pay insurance premiums for employees who are furloughed or laid off. Second, employees who lose their job may qualify for special enrollment in the ACA. Third, employees who lose their job and have no other source of significant income may qualify for Medicaid. Consumers can visit www.healthcare.gov to check eligibility for Medicaid and sign up for an ACA plan.
https://www.vahp.org/wp-content/uploads/Key-Consumer-Questions-on-Insurance-Coverage-During-COVID-19.pdf
Complete information on Virginia’s health insurance industry response to COVID-19 can be found at www.vahp.org/covid-19-update/
Appendix Table 1: May 2020 Eligibility for Coverage Among People Becoming Uninsured due to Job Loss State Total Uninsured Due to ESI Loss Medicaid Eligible Coverage Gap Tax Credit Eligible Ineligib…
