Losing a job in Virginia means losing employer-sponsored health coverage, often the same day or 30 days after your last paycheck. Virginia is one of the 40 states plus DC that expanded Medicaid under the ACA, so a sharp drop in income may make you eligible for CoverVA Medicaid through the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) immediately. For those above the Medicaid income threshold, Virginia operates its own state-based Insurance Marketplace at marketplace.virginia.gov, separate from the federal healthcare.gov platform. Virginia's 2026 Open Enrollment Period ran from November 1, 2025, through January 30, 2026 (an extended deadline compared to the federal January 15 cutoff), so outside that window you need a qualifying life event like job loss to enroll. The job-loss Special Enrollment Period gives you exactly 60 days. Most Virginians who act within that window pay far less for 2026 Marketplace coverage than they would have expected, because APTC subsidies averaged $461/month for eligible enrollees, reducing net premiums to roughly $124/month per the Virginia Insurance Marketplace 2026 enrollment report.
Virginia's coverage landscape after job loss has three tiers. CoverVA Medicaid covers adults 19-64 earning under 138% FPL: no premiums, no deductibles, comprehensive benefits through managed care organizations like Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, Molina, and Optima Health. Virginia's Insurance Marketplace covers those above the Medicaid line but below 400% FPL with premium tax credits; Silver plans often cost under $50/month after subsidies in Virginia's mid-tier counties per KFF 2026 Virginia Marketplace analysis. COBRA covers everyone at 102% of the full group premium but is almost always the most expensive path. This guide walks through the 7 steps to evaluate all three options within your 60-day Virginia SEP window and explains how to document your qualifying life event for Virginia's Marketplace or apply for CoverVA Medicaid at commonhelp.virginia.gov. Virginia residents can also call Virginia's Insurance Marketplace at 1-888-687-1501 for free enrollment assistance.
7 Steps to Get Coverage
Common Mistakes That Cost People Thousands
The most costly mistakes Virginia residents make after losing job-based coverage in 2026:
- Going to healthcare.gov instead of Virginia's Marketplace. Virginia operates its own state-based exchange at marketplace.virginia.gov. Applying on the federal platform will not show Virginia-specific plans or process correctly for Virginia residents.
- Defaulting to COBRA without checking Virginia Marketplace or CoverVA first. COBRA in 2026 averages $500 to $2,800/month for Virginia group plans. Virginia Marketplace plans with subsidies average $124/month net. The math almost never favors COBRA for recently unemployed Virginians.
- Using your old Virginia salary to estimate 2026 income. Virginia Marketplace subsidies are calculated on your projected income for the rest of 2026, not what you earned before losing your job. Using your former annual salary inflates your subsidy calculation and could result in owing money back on your 2026 tax return.
- Forgetting that unemployment compensation counts as income. Virginia unemployment benefits count toward MAGI for both Virginia Marketplace subsidy and CoverVA Medicaid eligibility calculations. Include your expected weekly benefit amount in your 2026 income projection.
- Missing the 60-day Virginia SEP window. Without an active SEP, Virginia residents must wait until the next Open Enrollment Period, which runs November 1, 2026 through January 30, 2027 for 2027 coverage. A coverage gap can result in large out-of-pocket medical bills.
- Skipping CoverVA Medicaid for children. Virginia children may qualify for CHIP through CoverVA even if the parent does not qualify for Medicaid. Virginia CHIP income limits reach up to 200-300% FPL for children, with year-round enrollment and low or zero premiums.
CoverVA Medicaid: Virginia's Free Coverage Option After Job Loss
CoverVA is the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) brand for the state's Medicaid program. Virginia expanded Medicaid under the ACA in January 2019, covering adults ages 19 to 64 with household incomes up to 138% FPL (in 2026, that is $22,025 for a single person and $45,540 for a family of 4. CoverVA Medicaid has no premium, no deductible, and no annual enrollment window. Virginians who lose job-based coverage and project income below the 138% FPL threshold should apply immediately at commonhelp.virginia.gov or by calling DMAS at 1-855-242-8282. Most applications are processed within a few business days. Benefits include primary and specialist care, emergency services, mental health and substance use treatment, prescription drugs, and for many enrollees dental and vision coverage through managed care organizations like Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, Molina Healthcare of Virginia, Optima Health (Sentara), and United Healthcare Community Plan.
Virginia children under 19 may qualify for CHIP (marketed under CoverVA) at higher income thresholds: up to 200% FPL for most children and up to 300% FPL for children in certain age groups for most children and up to 300% FPL for children in certain age groups. Virginia CHIP enrollment is also year-round with no deadline. If the parent does not qualify for CoverVA Medicaid but the household income is under $37,615 (family of 3) or $45,540 (family of 4) in 2026, the children likely qualify for CHIP separately. Apply at the same commonhelp.virginia.gov portal, which routes the application to the right Virginia program based on household income.
Virginia's State-Based Marketplace: How It Differs from Healthcare.gov
Virginia launched its own state-based insurance exchange in fall 2023, replacing its previous use of the federal healthcare.gov platform. Virginia residents must enroll through marketplace.virginia.gov; applying on the federal platform will not work for Virginia-specific plans. The Virginia's Insurance Marketplace is operated under the oversight of the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) Bureau of Insurance and the Virginia Health Benefit Exchange. For job-loss SEP enrollments, go directly to marketplace.virginia.gov, select 'Special Enrollment,' choose 'Loss of Coverage' as your qualifying event, and enter your projected 2026 household income to see your APTC subsidy amount before selecting a plan. Virginia's 2026 Open Enrollment Period ended January 30, 2026 (15 days later than the federal January 15 deadline), so Virginia residents have a slightly longer window each year. Outside open enrollment, job loss is among the most common qualifying events that open a 60-day Virginia Marketplace SEP.
Virginia Marketplace plans are offered by multiple carriers including Anthem HealthKeepers, CareFirst BlueChoice, Optima Health (Sentara), and others depending on the county. The 2026 average net premium after APTC for Virginia subsidy-eligible enrollees was approximately $124/month per Virginia SCC enrollment data, compared to an unsubsidized benchmark Silver plan cost that varies by age and region. Virginians with income between 100% and 250% FPL also qualify for cost-sharing reductions (CSR) on Silver plans, which can reduce deductibles from the 2026 ACA marketplace standard out-of-pocket maximum of $10,600 to as low as $700 for the highest CSR tier. Silver plans with CSR represent the best value for most moderate-income Virginia households after job loss.
Virginia ACA Subsidy Income Limits and 2026 FPL Thresholds
Virginia follows the 48-state Federal Poverty Level guidelines published by HHS ASPE. For 2026, the key income thresholds for Virginians after job loss are: Under 138% FPL (under $22,025 single / $45,540 family of 4): CoverVA Medicaid, free, year-round. Between 138% and 400% FPL ($22,025 to $63,840 single / $45,540 to $132,000 family of 4): Virginia Marketplace premium tax credits on a sliding scale; the lower the income above the Medicaid line, the larger the subsidy. Above 400% FPL: no premium tax credits in 2026; the ACA subsidy cliff returned after enhanced PTCs from the American Rescue Plan Act and Inflation Reduction Act expired January 1, 2026. Virginians above 400% FPL who lose job coverage may still benefit from comparing unsubsidized Marketplace plan costs against COBRA: Marketplace individual premiums often run $400 to $700/month unsubsidized for a 40-year-old in Virginia's mid-tier counties, versus COBRA at $700 to $900/month for the same person.
Virginia Medicaid and ACA Marketplace Income Thresholds by Household Size, 2026| Household size | CoverVA Medicaid (138% FPL) | ACA subsidy ceiling (400% FPL) |
|---|
| 1 person | $22,025/yr | $63,840/yr |
| 2 people | $29,863/yr | $86,560/yr |
| 3 people | $37,702/yr | $109,280/yr |
| 4 people | $45,540/yr | $132,000/yr |
| 5 people | $53,378/yr | $154,720/yr |
Based on 2026 HHS ASPE Federal Poverty Guidelines. Virginia follows 48-state guidelines (not Alaska or Hawaii). Income thresholds updated January 13, 2026 per Virginia DMAS.
Source: HHS ASPE 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines; Virginia DMAS CoverVA eligibility
State-Specific Virginia Rules That Affect Job-Loss Coverage Decisions
Virginia's state-based exchange has several rules that differ from the federal marketplace and from neighboring states. Virginia's Open Enrollment Period runs through January 30 each year, 15 days longer than the federal January 15 deadline, giving Virginians a small additional window to shop plans during annual enrollment. Virginia does not have a state continuation coverage law equivalent to California's Cal-COBRA for small employers; federal COBRA applies to employers with 20 or more employees, and employees of smaller Virginia employers (under 20 workers) may have more limited continuation options. Virginia Medicaid, administered through CoverVA, does NOT have a 30-day retroactive eligibility rule that some other states offer; coverage typically starts the month of approval, not the month of application. Virginia's CHIP program covers children through age 18 (standard age) with no state extension to age 21 or higher. Virginia also participates in the federal Navigator program and has certified application counselors available statewide for free in-person or phone enrollment assistance; call 1-888-687-1501 (Virginia's Marketplace) or 1-855-242-8282 (DMAS/CoverVA) for referral.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to get health insurance after losing my job in Virginia?
Virginia gives you a 60-day Special Enrollment Period (SEP) starting the day after your employer-sponsored coverage ends. During those 60 days, you can enroll in a plan through Virginia's Insurance Marketplace at marketplace.virginia.gov. CoverVA Medicaid has no deadline and accepts applications year-round. Your spouse's employer plan typically has a 30-day window from your coverage loss date. Virginia's next Open Enrollment Period runs November 1, 2026 through January 30, 2027 if you miss the SEP.
Do I use healthcare.gov or a different website to enroll in Virginia after losing my job?
Virginia operates its own state-based Insurance Marketplace at marketplace.virginia.gov, not the federal healthcare.gov platform. Virginia residents must use marketplace.virginia.gov to shop for and enroll in ACA Marketplace plans. For CoverVA Medicaid, use commonhelp.virginia.gov or call DMAS at 1-855-242-8282. Applying at healthcare.gov will not show Virginia-specific plans and may not process correctly for Virginia residents.
Do I qualify for CoverVA Medicaid after losing my job in Virginia?
Virginia adults ages 19 to 64 who project income under 138% FPL qualify for CoverVA Medicaid. In 2026, that threshold is $22,025 for a single person and $45,540 for a family of 4. CoverVA has no premium, no deductible, and enrollment is year-round. Losing your job and projecting unemployment compensation as your only income often puts Virginians well under the 138% FPL line. Apply at commonhelp.virginia.gov. Virginia processed most 2026 applications within a few business days of submission.
Is COBRA worth it after losing a job in Virginia?
Almost never, for most Virginia residents who lose job coverage in 2026. COBRA charges 102% of the full group premium, typically $500 to $900/month for individual coverage or $1,400 to $2,800/month for family coverage in Virginia employer plans. Virginia's Insurance Marketplace plans with advance premium tax credits averaged a net premium of $124/month in 2026, with more than 78% of enrollees qualifying for subsidies. COBRA makes sense only if you have ongoing treatment with a specialist who is out-of-network on every Virginia Marketplace plan, or if you have met most of your 2026 deductible.
What if I miss the 60-day Special Enrollment Period in Virginia?
If you miss Virginia's 60-day SEP after losing job coverage, you must wait until the next Open Enrollment Period. Virginia's runs November 1, 2026 through January 30, 2027 for 2027 coverage. CoverVA Medicaid is the exception: it accepts applications year-round with no deadline. Missing the SEP window and going uninsured risks large out-of-pocket bills. Virginia has no state subsidy or safety-net program that fills the gap outside of Medicaid and the federal Marketplace SEP rules.
Does unemployment compensation count as income for Virginia Marketplace subsidies and Medicaid?
Yes. Virginia unemployment compensation from the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) counts as Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for both Virginia Marketplace premium tax credit calculations and CoverVA Medicaid eligibility. Include your expected weekly benefit amount times the number of weeks you project receiving benefits in your 2026 income estimate. Using your former salary instead of projected unemployment income inflates your subsidy calculation and may result in owing money back at tax time via Form 8962.
What documents does Virginia's Insurance Marketplace require to prove job loss?
Virginia's Marketplace requires proof of your qualifying life event within 30 days of selecting a plan. Acceptable documents include: a termination letter from your Virginia employer confirming the last day of coverage, a COBRA election notice from your employer or plan administrator, or a letter from your health insurer confirming the coverage end date. For CoverVA Medicaid, you need Social Security numbers for all household members, proof of Virginia residency, and recent pay stubs or a VEC unemployment award letter. Missing the documentation deadline cancels the enrollment even if you applied within 60 days.
What happens to my children's coverage after I lose my job in Virginia?
Virginia children under 19 may qualify for CHIP through CoverVA even if the parent does not qualify for Medicaid. Virginia CHIP income limits reach up to 200-300% FPL for children depending on age group, well above the adult Medicaid limit. CHIP enrollment is year-round with no deadline and premiums are low or zero. Apply at commonhelp.virginia.gov. Additionally, children are covered by the same 60-day Virginia Marketplace SEP as adults if you choose a Marketplace plan, and their premium tax credits are calculated as part of the household subsidy.
