2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26103838D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1240

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 14, 2026

A BILL to direct the Department of Medical Assistance Services to amend its regulations to extend the time limit for appeals of eligibility determinations and to direct the Department of Medical Assistance Services and the Department of Social Services to amend their regulations to create a mailing time period for communications related to Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF.

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Patron—Willett

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Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. The Department of Medical Assistance Services (the Department) shall extend the time limit for filing a request for appeal to 90 days within the appellant's receipt of the notice of an action or adverse determination. The Department shall have the authority to implement these changes prior to the completion of any regulatory process and shall amend the state plan as necessary to implement these changes.

§ 2. The Department shall amend its regulations to add an additional mailing time period for communications related to Medicaid. Whenever the Department, the Department of Social Services, local departments of social services, or any other sub-grantee responsible for mailing notices sends a request for information, notice of action, or any other notice that requires a Medicaid applicant or recipient to take an action, the Department shall add a 10-day mailing time period to any time periods associated with such notices to account for mailing delays. Any sub-grantee mailing such notices shall utilize a mailing method that requires the United States Postal Service to postmark such piece of mail when received.

§ 3. The Department of Social Services shall amend its regulations to add an additional mailing time period for communications related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Whenever the Department of Social Services, local departments of social services, or any other sub-grantee responsible for mailing notices sends a request for information, notice of action, or any other notice that requires a SNAP or TANF applicant or recipient to take an action, the Department of Social Services shall add a 10-day mailing time period to any time periods associated with such notices to account for mailing delays. Any sub-grantee mailing such notices shall utilize a mailing method that requires the United States Postal Service to postmark such piece of mail when received.