Section 30. Outreach and public participation

A. DMAS will work cooperatively with other state agencies and contractors to ensure that federal law and any applicable federal regulations are met.

B. Pursuant to § 32.1-351.2 of the Code of Virginia, DMAS shall establish an Outreach Oversight Committee (committee) to discuss strategies to improve outreach activities. The committee members shall be selected by DMAS and shall be composed of representatives from community-based organizations engaged in outreach activities, social services eligibility workers, the provider community, health plans, and consumers. The committee shall meet on a quarterly basis. As may be appropriate, the committee shall make recommendations regarding state-level outreach activities, the coordination of regional and local outreach activities, and procedures for streamlining and simplifying the application process, brochures, other printed materials, forms, and applicant correspondence.

C. The board, in consultation with the committee, shall develop a comprehensive, statewide community-based outreach plan to enroll children in the FAMIS program and, if so eligible, in Medicaid. The outreach plan shall include specific strategies for: (i) improving outreach and enrollment in those localities where enrollment is less than the statewide average and (ii) enrolling uninsured children of former Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients.

D. DMAS shall develop a comprehensive marketing and outreach effort. The marketing and outreach efforts will be aimed at promoting the FAMIS and Medicaid programs and increasing enrollment, and may include contracting with a public relations firm, coordination with other state agencies, coordination with the business community, and coordination with health care associations and providers.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 19, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2003.

Statutory Authority

§§ 32.1-324 and 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.