Moving to Virginia in 2026 opens coverage options that are meaningfully broader than in most Southern and Mid-Atlantic states. Virginia expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act in January 2019, which means that any adult between 19 and 64 who moves to Virginia with income at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level ($22,025 for a single adult, $45,540 for a family of four in 2026) qualifies for free Virginia Medicaid regardless of employment status, disability status, or family structure. Virginia Medicaid is administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) and enrollment goes through the Cover Virginia portal at coverva.dmas.virginia.gov or by calling 1-855-242-8282. For families with children, FAMIS (Family Access to Medical Insurance Security) is Virginia's CHIP program, covering children at incomes up to 205% FPL with low or no premiums. Both Medicaid and FAMIS accept applications year-round with no Special Enrollment Period required.
Virginia is also distinct because it operates its own state-based Marketplace called Virginia's Insurance Marketplace at Marketplace.Virginia.gov. Unlike most states, Virginians do not use the federal healthcare.gov to enroll in Marketplace plans; all ACA plan shopping, premium tax credit applications, and Special Enrollment Period requests go through Marketplace.Virginia.gov. The SEP window for a Virginia move is 60 days from your move date. Your prior state's plan network will not cover Virginia providers in-network after you establish Virginia residency, making prompt enrollment critical. Most movers arriving in Virginia with income between 100% and 400% of the 2026 Federal Poverty Level ($15,960 to $63,840 single) should check Virginia Medicaid first via the Medicaid income limits table, then compare Virginia Marketplace plans using the ACA income limits and federal poverty level references to determine the best path.
7 Steps to Get Coverage
Common Mistakes That Cost People Thousands
The most expensive mistakes people make when moving to Virginia:
- Going to healthcare.gov instead of Marketplace.Virginia.gov. Virginia launched its own state-based Marketplace in 2023. Trying to enroll through healthcare.gov will redirect you but you risk delays and confusion during the 60-day SEP window.
- Missing the prior-coverage requirement for the SEP. The move SEP requires you had minimum essential coverage for at least one of the 60 days before your move. Arriving in Virginia uninsured does not trigger the SEP; you may have to wait until November Open Enrollment.
- Skipping the Virginia Medicaid check. Virginia expanded Medicaid, so adults with income up to 138% FPL can get free coverage through Cover Virginia year-round. Many movers jump straight to Marketplace plans when they would qualify for free Medicaid instead.
- Defaulting to COBRA without comparing. COBRA charges 102% of the full premium, often $700 to $2,000 per month for an individual. Virginia Marketplace plans with premium tax credits almost always cost less, especially if your income dropped or changed with the move.
- Not canceling your prior state plan after enrolling in Virginia coverage. Double coverage can trigger subsidy reconciliation problems on your 2026 Form 1095-A and may result in a tax bill at filing time.
- Failing to upload proof of move to Virginia's Insurance Marketplace after enrollment. The Marketplace sends a documentation request after you use the SEP. Missing the upload deadline can cancel your enrollment and leave you uninsured.
Virginia Medicaid and FAMIS in 2026: Who Qualifies When You Move
Virginia Medicaid operates as an expanded program under the ACA, making it accessible to a much wider population than non-expansion states. Adults ages 19 to 64 who move to Virginia with income at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for full Virginia Medicaid through a Managed Care Organization. The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) administers the program. Enrollment and applications are handled through the Cover Virginia portal at coverva.dmas.virginia.gov or by calling 1-855-242-8282. Virginia Medicaid covers a comprehensive benefit package including primary care, specialist visits, hospital care, mental health services, prescription drugs, and preventive care, typically with no premium and very low or no cost-sharing for expansion adults in 2026.
FAMIS (Family Access to Medical Insurance Security) is Virginia's CHIP program for children. FAMIS Plus covers children at Medicaid income levels (up to 148% FPL) with essentially the same comprehensive benefit package. The standard FAMIS program covers children at incomes from 148% FPL up to 205% FPL in 2026 with low premiums. Both FAMIS and FAMIS Plus are year-round programs with no Special Enrollment Period required. Children's coverage does not transfer from your prior state, so apply through Cover Virginia immediately after establishing Virginia residency. Pregnant women qualify for Virginia Medicaid at incomes up to 143% FPL or for FAMIS MOMS at up to 205% FPL. Processing times for Virginia Medicaid and FAMIS applications typically average 10 to 20 business days, though same-day presumptive eligibility may be available at some qualified entities.
Virginia's Insurance Marketplace in 2026: What New Residents Need to Know
Virginia's Insurance Marketplace, the Commonwealth's state-based ACA exchange, launched in fall 2023 and replaced the prior reliance on the federal healthcare.gov. New Virginia residents must use Marketplace.Virginia.gov to apply for premium tax credits and enroll in Qualified Health Plans. The Marketplace is administered by the State Corporation Commission (SCC) Bureau of Insurance. For 2026, eight insurers offer plans on the Virginia Marketplace, with plan availability varying by county and ZIP code. Standard metal tiers are available: Bronze (lowest premium, highest cost-sharing), Silver (best for incomes 100-250% FPL with cost-sharing reductions), Gold (higher premium, lower cost-sharing for frequent users), and Catastrophic (for adults under 30 or with a hardship exemption). The 2026 ACA Marketplace out-of-pocket maximum is $10,600 for an individual plan.
Virginia movers arriving from states that use the federal exchange (healthcare.gov) will find the Marketplace.Virginia.gov platform functionally similar but with a Virginia-specific account. If you had a healthcare.gov account in your prior state, you will still need to create a new account on Marketplace.Virginia.gov and report your Virginia move as the qualifying life event. Movers arriving from other state-based exchanges (such as California's Covered California, New York State of Health, or Massachusetts's Health Connector) should similarly create a new Marketplace.Virginia.gov account. Virginia's Marketplace does not automatically import prior-state accounts. The Virginia Navigator and Assister network (available through enrollva.org) provides free, unbiased enrollment help in multiple languages if you need assistance navigating the Marketplace.Virginia.gov application.
Documents You Need to Enroll in Virginia Health Coverage After Moving
Gathering documentation before you start the Marketplace.Virginia.gov or Cover Virginia application saves significant time and reduces the risk of your Special Enrollment Period being denied. The SEP for a move requires two key proofs: prior minimum essential coverage for at least one of the 60 days before the move, and current Virginia residency. Virginia Medicaid through Cover Virginia also requires identity verification and citizenship or immigration status documentation. Keep digital copies of all documents and upload them as soon as possible after submitting your application. For Virginia Medicaid and FAMIS, the Cover Virginia portal at coverva.dmas.virginia.gov accepts document uploads electronically or by mail to your local Department of Social Services office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does moving to Virginia trigger a Special Enrollment Period?
Yes. Permanently moving to Virginia, where different qualified health plans are available, triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period for Virginia's Insurance Marketplace at Marketplace.Virginia.gov. One key requirement: you must have had minimum essential coverage for at least one of the 60 days before your move. If you were uninsured before moving to Virginia, you do not qualify for the move-triggered Marketplace SEP and may need to wait until November 2026 Open Enrollment for 2027 Marketplace coverage. However, Virginia Medicaid through Cover Virginia is year-round with no SEP required, so check eligibility there regardless.
Has Virginia expanded Medicaid and do I qualify as a new resident?
Yes. Virginia expanded Medicaid under the ACA effective January 2019. Adults ages 19 to 64 moving to Virginia with income at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level ($22,025 single, $45,540 for a family of 4 in 2026) qualify for free Virginia Medicaid regardless of employment status or family structure. Apply through the Cover Virginia portal at coverva.dmas.virginia.gov. Medicaid coverage does not transfer from your prior state, so you must apply in Virginia. Eligibility is typically determined within 10 to 20 business days. Virginia Medicaid is year-round with no deadline.
What is FAMIS and does it cover my children after moving to Virginia?
FAMIS (Family Access to Medical Insurance Security) is Virginia's CHIP program for children from birth through age 18. FAMIS Plus covers children at Medicaid income levels (up to 148% FPL in 2026). Standard FAMIS covers children at incomes from 148% FPL up to 205% FPL ($67,650 for a family of 4 in 2026) with low premiums. FAMIS MOMS covers pregnant women at incomes up to 205% FPL. Apply through coverva.dmas.virginia.gov or call 1-855-242-8282. FAMIS is year-round with no Special Enrollment Period required. Children's coverage does not transfer from your prior state.
How do I enroll in Virginia Marketplace plans after moving?
Virginia uses its own state-based Marketplace called Virginia's Insurance Marketplace at Marketplace.Virginia.gov, not the federal healthcare.gov. Create an account at Marketplace.Virginia.gov, report your move to Virginia as the qualifying life event, and enter your Virginia ZIP code to compare plans. Eight insurers offered plans in 2026. Silver plans typically offer the best value for incomes between 100% and 250% FPL due to cost-sharing reductions. Coverage typically starts the first of the month following mid-month enrollment. If you need help, free navigator and assister services are available at enrollva.org.
What is the SEP deadline and what happens if I miss it?
Your 60-day Special Enrollment Period for Virginia's Insurance Marketplace starts on your Virginia move date. If you move on July 1, 2026, your SEP window closes August 30, 2026. Miss the window and you generally must wait until the next Open Enrollment Period (November 1 through January 30 for 2027 coverage) unless another qualifying life event occurs, such as the birth of a child, marriage, or job loss. Virginia Medicaid and FAMIS are always open with no SEP deadline for eligible applicants. Without coverage, one emergency visit can cost $5,000 to $30,000 in Virginia.
How do I document my Virginia move for the Special Enrollment Period?
After enrolling at Marketplace.Virginia.gov using the move SEP, the Marketplace will send a documentation request. Acceptable proof of a permanent move to Virginia includes: a signed lease or mortgage statement with your Virginia address, a utility bill at the Virginia address dated within 30 days, government mail at your new address, or a Virginia driver's license or state ID. Also submit proof of prior minimum essential coverage (prior insurance card, HIPAA creditable coverage certificate, or prior Marketplace termination notice). Upload documents within the verification window (typically 30 to 90 days). Missing the upload deadline cancels your enrollment.
Can I keep COBRA after moving to Virginia?
You can elect COBRA within 60 days of losing prior employer coverage, which runs parallel to your Virginia Marketplace SEP window. COBRA charges 102% of the full premium, typically $700 to $2,000 per month for an individual. The main reason to keep COBRA after moving to Virginia: you are mid-treatment with a specialist who is not in any Virginia Marketplace network and the treatment cannot be transferred. In almost every other case, a Virginia Marketplace plan with premium tax credits or free Virginia Medicaid will cost significantly less than COBRA. Compare both options at Marketplace.Virginia.gov before electing COBRA.
What are my options if I move to Virginia with income above 400% FPL?
The 2026 ACA subsidy cliff means premium tax credits stop at 400% of the Federal Poverty Level ($63,840 for a single adult, $132,000 for a family of 4). Adults moving to Virginia with income above 400% FPL do not qualify for Marketplace subsidies or Virginia Medicaid expansion coverage. Options include: a full-price ACA Marketplace plan at Marketplace.Virginia.gov (compliant with essential health benefits and no pre-existing condition exclusions), a Virginia employer plan if employed, or COBRA continuation from prior employer coverage. An unsubsidized Gold or Silver plan at full price may still be less expensive than COBRA if you are below 60 years old, since COBRA charges the full employer plus employee share plus a 2% administration fee.
