The Medicaid program in each and every state is designed to cover low income women who are pregnant. In Virginia, the main Medicaid program will provide that coverage. There is also a FAMIS MOMS program that can help those who do not qualify for the main Medicaid program.
Medicaid is a public, or government run, form of health insurance. It provides coverage to individuals and families who are low income, and who cannot afford to purchase a health plan from a private insurance company. Medicaid is funded, in part, by the federal government. It is also partially funded by the government of an individual state.
In Virginia, the Medicaid program is administered by the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). Another department, the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) is responsible for taking applications and for determining eligibility.
Virginia has two Medical Assistance Programs for women who are pregnant. The first one is the main Medicaid program. It will cover pregnant women of any age with countable family income of no more than 133% of the federal poverty level, (based on the size of the family).
Women who are covered by another form of health insurance can also be covered by Medicaid. In that situation the other insurance becomes the primary insurance. Medicaid becomes the secondary insurance, and will not cover expenses that the first form of insurance covers.
Pregnant women who do not qualify for Medicaid due to income limitations might qualify for FAMIS MOMS. It stands for Family Access to Medical Assistance Security (FAMIS). MOMS is the way that the state of Virginia designates that this program is for pregnant women.
FAMIS MOMS will cover women of any age who are pregnant and who are uninsured. The woman must have countable family income that is greater than 133% of the federal poverty level, but less than 200% of the federal poverty level (based on the size of the family).
The income of the pregnant woman is counted for this program If she is married and living with her husband, then his income will also be counted. If the pregnant woman is under the age of 21, and is living with a parent, then the parent’s income will be counted. There are no resource limitations for this program.
Virginia also has a Medically Indigent (MI) Pregnant Women category. It is for pregnant women of any age. The Virginia Department of Social Services will determine whether or not a woman qualifies for the MI program.
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