Sickle cell disease; feasibility of Medicaid benefit and Medicaid Health Homes, report.

Plain English Breakdown

The exact date of November 15, 2026, is specified in the bill text but no other details about this deadline are provided.

Sickle Cell Disease Medicaid Report

This bill directs Virginia's Department of Medical Assistance Services to study if Medicaid can offer a special benefit for sickle cell disease and establish Health Homes to coordinate care; the department must report its findings by November 15, 2026.

What This Bill Does

• Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to determine if Virginia's Medicaid program can add an optional benefit for people with sickle cell disease.
• Asks the same department to see if it can establish Health Homes that coordinate care and provide comprehensive treatment services for individuals with sickle cell disease.
• Requires the department to report its findings in its annual review of medications, treatments, and services for sickle cell disease by November 15, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

• People with sickle cell disease who are covered by Medicaid in Virginia
• The Department of Medical Assistance Services

Terms To Know

Medicaid Health Homes

Special care centers that help people manage their health conditions, like sickle cell disease, and provide better treatment.

Feasibility

The ability to do something successfully or practically.

Limits and Unknowns

• It is not clear if the Department of Medical Assistance Services will find it feasible to add these benefits and centers.
• This bill does not create new Medicaid benefits or Health Homes; it only asks for a study and report.

Official Summary Text

Department of Medical Assistance Services; sickle cell disease; feasibility of Medicaid benefit and Medicaid Health Homes; report.
Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to determine the feasibility of participating in an optional Medicaid benefit for sickle cell disease and establishing Medicaid Health Homes to coordinate care and provide treatment for individuals with sickle cell disease. The bill requires the Department to report its findings in its annual review of sickle cell disease treatment and submit such review to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Health and Human Services and the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the Joint Commission on Health Care by November 15, 2026.

Current Bill Text

A BILL to direct the Department of Medical Assistance Services to determine the feasibility of participating in an optional Medicaid benefit for sickle cell disease and establishing Medicaid Health Homes to coordinate care and provide treatment for individuals with sickle cell disease; report.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.
§ 1.
The Department of Medical Assistance Services
(the Department)
shall determine the feasibility of participating in an optional Medicaid benefit for sickle cell disease.
Additionally, the Department shall determine the feasibility of establishing
Medicaid
Health Homes to coordinate care for individuals with sickle cell disease and provide comprehensive sickle cell treatment services. The Department shall
report its findings in its annual review
of all medications, forms of treatment for sickle cell disease, and services for enrollees with a diagnosis of sickle cell disease that are eligible for coverage under the
Medicaid program. The Department shall submit such annual review to the
Chairmen of the House Committee on Health and Human Services and the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the Joint Commission on Health Care by November 15, 202
6
.