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How to Qualify and Apply for Medicaid in Virginia
The steps below will help you understand how to apply for Medicaid in Virginia and get care through Kaiser Permanente for yourself or your child.
3. Complete your Medicaid application.
Online
Apply online at coverva.org
By Phone
To apply over the phone, call Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282, 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)
4. Receive approval for Medicaid or FAMIS.
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.
After you’ve been approved for Medicaid, here’s what you need to do to select Medicaid with Kaiser Permanente:
1. Choose Sentara Health with Kaiser Permanente as your Managed Care Organization.
- Select a Managed Care Organization (MCO) by calling the Managed Care Help Line at 1-800-643-2273, 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 Sentara Health as your MCO.
- Sentara Health 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 1-800-643-2273 within 90 days of your effective date with your current MCO.
2. Receive a new-member packet from Sentara Health and Kaiser Permanente once you’re enrolled.
After you select Sentara Health with Kaiser Permanente as your MCO, you’ll receive a new-member packet, which includes your Sentara Health and Kaiser Permanente ID card.
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Call the Kaiser Permanente Medicaid Assistance Center at
1-800-394-7715 (toll free) or 711 (TTY),
11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Español: 1-800-394-7518