Emergency Waivers

The Virginia Medicaid agency implemented a variety of policies in 2020 in response to the needs of our members and providers as they confronted the COVID-19 pandemic. Policies protecting members from losing coverage remain in effect, and there is currently no official expiration date for these protections.

Some policies providing flexibility to Medicaid providers will end on June 30, 2021, with the expiration of the state Public Health Emergency executive orders. With respect to the flexibilities that end on June 30, 2021, we understand that providers need time to transition back to pre-COVID policies. DMAS is giving providers a 60-day period to make these changes where state law permits. In these cases, providers have until August 29, 2021, to revert to earlier procedures and policies. DMAS will not conduct audits or enforce any policies that are tied to this grace period until August 29, 2021. In some cases, however, flexibilities will expire at midnight June 30, 2021, and a transition period is not permitted.

In addition to the state public health emergency, Medicaid policies are also guided by the federal Public Health Emergency, which remains in effect until October 18, 2021, and the maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements associated with the Families First Coronavirus Response. As such, many policies remain in place. Please click on the links below to review charts outlining all Medicaid COVID policies, including those that have already expired, those that expire on June 30, 2021, those that will be covered by a grace period, and those that do not yet have an expiration date.

Behavioral Health Info & Resources, Provider FAQs, and Provider and Stakeholder Meetings

DMAS has several resources for behavioral health providers. We will continue to update this page as information becomes available.

Behavioral Health Resources for Traumatic Stress

Decision Tree: When is telehealth the right choice for behavioral health services? (04.10.2020)

Behavioral Health Services Fact Sheet on Personal Protection

Recommendations for Therapeutic Day Treatment Service Delivery During COVID-19

FAQs for Behavioral Health Services

FAQs for Addiction and Recovery Treatment Services (ARTS)

DMAS Behavioral Health COVID Flexibilities Updates (07.06.2021)

COVID 19 DMAS Behavioral Health Providers & Stakeholders Update (07.06.2021)

Emergency Waivers

Community-based Services

COVID Flexibilities

MCO Guidance

Federal Authorities

COVID-19 Policy Updates

Behavioral Health Info & Resources, Provider FAQs, and Provider and Stakeholder Meetings