Return to Normal Enrollment


COVID-19: Return to Normal Enrollment

Virginia Medicaid will soon return to our 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.

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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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 do not yet know when this process will start. We will not cancel or reduce coverage for our members without asking them for updated information.

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.

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.orgcommonhelp.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.

COVID-19 Resources

This fact sheet outlines our policies to streamline application processing and maintain coverage for our members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[PDF] COVID-19 Medicaid Information Eligibility, Enrollment, and Appeals (Updated 06/29/2021)

Cover Virginia has an email inbox for verification (proof) returns. This lets customers send proof by email in addition to fax or mail. We will tell customers about this return method during calls for applications, status, and renewal submissions. It is also on the Verification Checklist (VCL) we send customers asking for information.

The new inbox lets Virginians send proof by email. They can still use fax or U.S. mail. Applicants and members who call will be given the email address. The new option is also on the Verification Checklist (VCL) that we send to Virginians who ask for information. They can still use the email inbox after the emergency ends

Community Partner Information and Updates

These forms authorize (allow) individuals or groups, including application assisters, Navigators and Certified Application Counselors (CACs), to help Medicaid applicants after getting verbal consent. The verbal consent authorization will expire at the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

[PDF] Acknowledgment of Receipt of Verbal Consent (English)
[PDF] Acknowledgment of Receipt of Verbal Consent (Spanish)
[PDF] Consumer-Directed (CD) Services Personal Care COVID-19 Flexibilities Fact Sheet - 2020
[PDF] Consumer-Directed (CD) Services COVID-19 Fact Sheet on Personal Protection - 2020

[PDF] COVID-19 One Page Flyer

[PDF] Frequently Asked Questions