On behalf of the Department of Medical Assistance Services ( DMAS) it is my pleasure to submit this FY2023-2024 biennial report. This report highlights how the DMAS team fulfills the 2024 SOAR (S-Services for Members; 0-0perations & Opportunities; A-Accountability; R-Results) commitment to exploring, investing, and implementing best practices that fit our Virginia Medicaid members. The report provides a summary of our programs, infrastructure, and innovations from the past two years.

In the last two years, DMAS worked with Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), community partners and stakeholders on Governor Youngkin's "Right Help, Right Now" initiative, a three-year strategy to address Virginia's overwhelmed behavioral health care system. DMAS and (DBHDS) collaborated to integrate the Medicaid crisis services into a statewide, all-payer crisis system based on the Crisis Now national model DMAS is also preparing to redesign the remaining community mental health rehabilitative services for adults and youth with moderate to severe mental health disorders through the 115 SMI waiver.

The end of the continuous coverage requirement, or "unwinding" has represented the single largest health coverage event since the first open enrollment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Virginia initiated unwinding renewals in March 2023, DMAS and the Department of Social Services (DSS) began performing Medicaid eligibility redeterminations for 2.2 million members and transitioning back to normal enrollment operations and procedures. During the unwinding, DMAS continued to work with the Managed Care Health Plans and community partners to provide outreach to members including reminders to complete renewals and to return information. As of June 2024, Virginia has successfully initiated all redeterminations.

DMAS also launched Cardinal Care as a rebranding of Virginia's Medicaid programs. Cardinal Care Managed Care (CCMC) combined the existing Medallion 4.0 managed care program for traditional Medicaid and the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) managed long-term services and supports (MLTSS) program to serve Medicaid managed care members. In August 2023 DMAS released the Cardinal Care Managed Care RFP to enhance the Cardinal Care Managed Care delivery system.

The DMAS team also worked on improving Medicaid member experiences and engagement by completely redesigning the DMAS website ( https://www.dmas.virginia.gov), boosting our social media pages, and promoting member initiatives.

DMAS' greatest resource is our staff and DMAS ended FY24 with 95% of jobs that are being filled by candidates compared to the total number of job openings, landing DMAS in the top percentile of executive branch agencies for low vacancy rate. Through strategic efforts to automate the recruitment process, enhance new hire onboarding and building up retention and engagement efforts, the agency has been recognized by peers and the Health and Human Resources for best-in-class workforce support.

I thank the Governor, Secretary of Health and Human Resources, and members of the General Assembly for their efforts and support that allows us to serve to Virginia's nearly two million Medicaid members. I also thank the hard-working staff here at the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). Through their expertise and dedication, many Virginians are receiving life changing and much needed health care.

Sincerely,

Cheryl J. Roberts, Director
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services