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Virginia Reviews Medicaid Assistance for Substance Abuse

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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia health officials are seeking the public's input on how to improve Medicaid coverage for substance abuse disorder treatment services.

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is inviting states to apply for waivers that would allow them to enhance or expand services. Virginia officials are soliciting public comment on that waiver request.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Karen Kimsey of the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services says the waiver would allow the state to target certain populations or add services that haven't been covered Virginia's Medicaid plan. She says the state covered $1.2 million worth of services for about 2,600 people in fiscal year 2014.

The state is accepting public comment until Oct. 21.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.