How to Qualify and Apply for Medicaid in Virginia

OnlineApply online at coverva.org.

By PhoneTo apply over the phone, call Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-82821-855-242-8282, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

In Person Apply at your local Department of Social Services in the city or county where you live.

By Mail Print a paper application online from coverva.org and mail it to your local Department of Social Services.

In addition to completing your Medicaid application, you may be asked to provide additional documents such as:

• Proof of Identity/U.S. Citizenship or Immigration Status
• Proof of residency (you must live in the state in which you apply)
• Household income
• Proof of legal guardianship (if applicable)

 It could take up to 45 days to determine your eligibility for Medicaid.

Once your paperwork has been reviewed and approved, you’ll receive a plastic DMAS ID card from the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) in the mail. Once you receive your card you can start using your Medicaid benefits.

Then you’ll receive an enrollment packet, which allows you to choose the managed care organization (MCO) to provide your care.

• Select a Managed Care Organization (MCO) by calling the Managed Care Help Line at 1-800-643-22731-800-643-2273, or by visiting the Managed Care website at virginiamanagedcare.com and selecting “Enroll”, then “Get Started”. In order to have Kaiser Permanente as your provider, you must select Virginia Premier as your MCO.
• Virginia Premier will automatically assign you to Kaiser Permanente as your primary care provider if you live in the Kaiser Permanente Service Area.
• If you don’t select an MCO, one will be automatically chosen for you.
• If you want to change to another MCO, you’ll need to call the Managed Care Help Line at 1-800-643-22731-800-643-2273 within 90 days of your effective date with your current MCO.

After you select Kaiser Permanente as your MCO, you’ll receive a new-member packet, which includes your Virginia Premier and Kaiser Permanente ID card.