HB337 • 2026

Community health workers; DMAS to evaluate, etc., to integrate into Medicaid managed care, report.

<p class=ldtitle>A BILL to direct the Department of Medical Assistance Services to evaluate and report on a statewide strategy for integrating certified community health workers into Medicaid managed care and related health and human services programs; report.</p>

Healthcare Labor

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Anthony
Last action: 2026-02-18
Official status: Failed
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify funding details for the evaluation and report.

Community Health Workers in Medicaid

This bill requires the Department of Medical Assistance Services to evaluate how community health workers can be integrated into Medicaid managed care and related programs, and then report their findings.

What This Bill Does

Requires DMAS to assess how community health workers can be included in Medicaid managed care and other health services.
DMAS must look at the feasibility of reimbursing community health worker services through Medicaid.
DMAS needs to develop training pathways for community health workers, especially those who receive SNAP benefits.
DMAS should consult with various departments and organizations before making recommendations.

Who It Names or Affects

The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS)
Community health workers
Medicaid recipients

Terms To Know

Certified Community Health Worker: A person who is trained and certified to provide support in healthcare, focusing on community needs.
SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a federal program that helps low-income people buy food.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how DMAS will fund the evaluation and report.
It is unclear what specific changes to Medicaid or other programs might result from the recommendations in the report.

Bill History

2026-02-18 House
Left in Committee Rules
2026-02-02 House
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB337)
2026-01-23 Studies Subcommittee
Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 0-N)
2026-01-22 Studies Subcommittee
Assigned HRUL sub: Studies Subcommittee
2026-01-11 House
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103325D
2026-01-11 Rules
Referred to Committee on Rules

Official Summary Text

Department of Medical Assistance Services; community health workers in Medicaid managed care; report.
Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to evaluate and develop recommendations for a statewide strategy to integrate community health workers into Medicaid managed care and related health and human services programs. The bill instructs DMAS to consult with the Department of Health, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, the Virginia Community Health Worker Association, Medicaid managed care organizations, local departments of social services, community-based providers, and other relevant stakeholders. The bill requires DMAS to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Joint Commission on Health Care and the Chairs of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations by December 1, 2026.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

A BILL to direct the Department of Medical Assistance Services to evaluate and report on a statewide strategy for integrating certified community health workers into Medicaid managed care and related health and human services programs; report.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.
§ 1.
T
hat the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), in coordination with the Department of Health, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, shall evaluate and develop recommendations for a statewide strategy to integrate certif
ied
c
ommunity
h
ealth
w
orkers, as defined in §
32.1-15.1
of the Code of Virginia, into Medicaid managed care and related health and human services programs. In conducting this evaluation, DMAS shall
(i)
assess the adoption and implementation of the 2024 Medicare Community Health Integration service
s
codes HCPCS G0019 and G0022 and determine the feasibility and potential fiscal implications of establishing Medicaid reimbursement for
c
ommunity
h
ealth
w
orker-delivered services through a state plan amendment or other allowable mechanism; (ii) e
valuate opportunities and conditions under which DMAS should consider requiring Medicaid managed care organizations to embed certified
c
ommunity
h
ealth
w
orkers into care coordination models, including support for chronic disease management, behavioral health, aging services, disability services, and social determinants of health navigation; (iii) develop statewide workforce
pathways for
c
ommunity
h
ealth
w
orker training that are accessible to Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(
SNAP)
recipients who are subject to federal community engagement or work requirements, in coordination with Virginia Wo
rks or any successor workforce development entity, the Virginia Community College System, and the Department of Education; (iv) assess the role of certified
c
ommunity
h
ealth
w
orkers in supporting eligibility accuracy, reducing churn, and strengthening navigation for M
e
dicaid and SNAP recipients in light of federal changes, including new administrative and documentation requirements; and (v) identify opport
u
nities to deploy certif
ied
c
ommunity
h
ealth
w
orkers to support high-need and high-cost Medicaid populations, including individuals with chronic conditions, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, disabilities, or complex social needs.
In completing these tasks, DMAS shall consult with the Virginia Community Health Worker Association, Medicaid managed care organizations, local departments of social services, community-based providers, and other relevant stakeholders as appropriate.
DMAS shall submit a report of its findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislative or regulatory changes to the Joint Commission on Health Care and the Chairs of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations no later than December 1, 2026.