Medicaid 2023

Virginia Medicaid will soon return to normal enrollment processes. We’re working with community partners, advocates and members to make sure eligible Virginians keep getting high quality health care coverage.

Read about emergency policies related to members at COVID-19 Medicaid Information Eligibility, Enrollment, and Appeals.

We need your help to meet this goal.

Members should take steps to get ready now. To make sure members receive important paperwork, we need their up-to-date mailing addresses and phone numbers. Members can make updates:

• Online at commonhelp.virginia.gov, or
• By calling Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282,
• By calling their local Department of Social Services.

If you do not qualify for full benefits through Medicaid or FAMIS, or you cannot afford Marketplace coverage, please know that people who are uninsured can get health care services at Virginia's Free and Charitable Health Clinics and Virginia's Community Health Centers.

What is the federal public health emergency and how does it affect Medicaid members?

The federal government declared a public health emergency when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Since then, state agencies have continued health care coverage for all medical assistance programs, even for people who are no longer eligible.

When will normal Medicaid processes begin again?

• States will have 12 months to make sure Medicaid members are still eligible for coverage.  We will not cancel or reduce coverage for our members without asking them for updated information. Renewal applications will be mailed by the Department of Medical Assistance (DMAS) beginning April 1, 2023.

What if members lose their coverage?

We want all eligible Virginians to get and stay covered. If a member no longer qualifies for health coverage from Virginia Medicaid, they will get:

• Notice of when the Medicaid coverage will end,
• Information on how to file an appeal if the member thinks our decision was incorrect, and
• A referral to the Federal Marketplace and information about buying other health care coverage.

Virginians who do not qualify for Virginia Medicaid can buy health insurance through Enroll Virginia. Enroll Virginia has offices in communities across the state to helping Virginians get high quality, affordable health coverage. You can sign up for insurance on the Federal Marketplace on HealthCare.gov:

• Within 60 days after losing health coverage or
• Anytime during the annual open enrollment period from November 1 through January 15

Virginians who do not qualify for health coverage from Medicaid may be able to get financial help to lower the cost of private health insurance through HealthCare.gov. The amount of financial help is based on the cost of insurance where the applicants live, how many people are in their household, and their estimated yearly income.

Learn more at enrollva.org or 888-392-5132

What can members do now?

Members can:

• Update their contact information by calling Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282 or online at commonhelp.virginia.gov. We must have current contact information on file, such as a mailing address and phone number(s), so members receive important notices and so we can reach out if we need more information.
• Watch for and respond quickly to notices about their coverage.
• Sign up for email and text updates, follow us on social media and visit us at coverva.org and facebook.com/coverva/

What are the other health care coverage choices?

Virginians who do not qualify for Virginia Medicaid can buy health insurance through Enroll Virginia. Enroll Virginia has offices in communities across the state to helping Virginians get high quality, affordable health coverage. You can sign up for insurance on the Federal Marketplace on HealthCare.gov:

• Within 60 days after losing health coverage or
• Anytime during the annual open enrollment period from November 1 through January 15

Virginians who do not qualify for health coverage from Medicaid may be able to get financial help to lower the cost of private health insurance through HealthCare.gov. The amount of financial help is based on the cost of insurance where the applicants live, how many people are in their household, and their estimated yearly income.

Learn more at enrollva.org or 888-392-5132:

• Get help from trained assisters, called navigators, to sign up for health coverage online or in person.
• Compare plans and cost with an easy, anonymous online tool
• Find out how much financial help you may qualify to receive
• Get enrolled!

How can I get more information?

Virginia Medicaid will keep members up to date through coverva.org, commonhelp.virginia.gov., emails, text messages and social media.

Where can I send questions or share my views?

Members can reach us at covervirginia@dmas.virginia.gov.

We will also give our partners policy and operational information through our Bi-Monthly Stakeholder Meeting, at dmas.virginia.gov/covid-19-response/ and through our Partner Points newsletter.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicaid members have been able to keep their health coverage even if their eligibility status changed. Soon Virginia and all other states will begin re-evaluating eligibility for Medicaid members. This process will be a heavy lift, and the Virginia Medicaid agency is committed to working in partnership with community partners to ensure our members have the information they need to complete their renewal documents. We need to prepare now! Federal officials plan to give states 12 months to review Medicaid coverage for all members, but they have not yet announced the start date for this process. We want all eligible Virginians to keep their health coverage. We will need the support of our health care advocates and stakeholders to achieve this goal.

• Help Us Return to Normal Medicaid Enrollment Processes 
• Ayúdenos A Volver A Los Procesos Normales De Inscripción En Medicaid