New Website Aims To Help W.Va. Medicaid Recipients Prepare For Changes 

The West Virginia Department of Human Services has launched a new website to help Medicaid recipients meet changing benefit requirements. 

Medicaid is the federal program that provides low-to-no cost health insurance for low-income adults. More than 535,000 West Virginians, just over 30% of the state’s population, were enrolled in the program in 2024. 

But on Jan. 1, 2027, new eligibility requirements passed in the One Big Beautiful Bill go into effect. Many adults will have to document community engagement – including work, school or volunteer hours – to continue those benefits. Others will have to document their eligibility for exemptions to those requirements.  

As the CEO of charitable clinic West Virginia Health Right, Angie Settle expects some of her patients to lose coverage. 

“We have some patients, even the logistical paperwork, and going through the application process, they may struggle,” Settle said. “Anytime there’s an extra layer or anything like that, I always anticipate that some people have issues becoming accustomed to that, or any kind of new guidelines.” 

At WVMedicaidHelp.org Medicaid recipients can get information about the new requirements, exemptions, and recommendations for ensuring their qualifying documents are up to date. 

“Our responsibility is to ensure West Virginians have accurate information and understand how these changes may affect them,” Christy Donohue, DoHS commissioner of the Bureau for Medical Services, said. “We want Medicaid members to know that DoHS is on track to implement these requirements and is working to make the process as simple as possible.” 

The bureau recommends recipients: 

• Ensure their mailing address, phone number, and email address are up to date 

• Read any communications received from DoHS regarding Medicaid eligibility 

• Watch for additional communications regarding any actions that may be required before Jan. 1, 2027