Applying for Medicaid

How to apply for Medicaid

Apply in one of these ways:

• Apply online at commonhelp.virginia.gov.
• Call the Cover Virginia Call Center Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 833-5CALLVA (TDD: 1-888-221-1590).
• Apply online at the Virginia's Insurance Marketplace at marketplace.virginia.gov.
• Mail or drop off a paper application to your local Department of Social Services (DSS), mailing may take longer than other ways of applying.  To find your local DSS, go to dss.virginia.gov/localagency.
  • All application forms are available at coverva.dmas.virginia.gov/apply/applications/. 
• If you also want to apply for other benefits, you can apply online at commonhelp.virginia.gov, or call the Virginia Department of Social Services Enterprise Call Center at 1-855-635-4370.

When you apply, you will need this information:

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Social Security numbers (or document numbers for any legal immigrants who need insurance)
  • Note: You may be asked to prove citizenship or immigration status after you apply. Read a list of acceptable [PDF] verification documents.
• Employer and income information for everyone in your family (for example, from paystubs, W-2 forms, or wage and tax statements)
  • Note: If self-employed, read [PDF] Self-employment Expenses Information.
• Policy numbers for any current health insurance
• Information about any job-related health insurance available to your family

Application Assisters

If you need help with your application, find an Application Assister.

How to send information we ask for

We will send you a letter if we need more information. You can send your information to Virginia Medicaid in one of these ways:

• Online: commonhelp.virginia.gov
• Email: verify_docs@coverva.org

You can scan and upload, attach electronic copies, or take a photo of your information and attach it to the email. To keep your information secure, this email address only receives information. You will not get a reply.

• Mail: Use the address on the letter we send asking for information.
• Fax: 1-888-221-9402

For questions, call Cover Virginia at 833-5CALLVA.

To learn more about how to appeal a decision, go to the DMAS Applicant/Member Appeals webpage.