Virginia Medicaid (Cardinal Care) & FAMIS
Last updated August 2026
Virginia Medicaid now goes by Cardinal Care, and it covers more people than many Virginians realize. Since expansion, adults 19 to 64 qualify on income alone: under 138 percent of the federal poverty level. For 2026 that means $22,025 a year ($1,836 a month) for one person, $37,702 a year for a family of three, $45,540 for four, up to $76,894 for eight. Apply through Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282 or online through CommonHelp.
One brand, many doors. Cardinal Care also covers children through children's Medicaid and FAMIS, pregnant people, and Virginians who are aged, blind, or disabled, each with its own income rules. A parent who earns too much for adult coverage should still apply for the kids, and a denial for one person decides nothing about the others.
Do not trust a screening tool's guess, including your own. Cover Virginia's guidance is blunt: eligibility is not final until you actually apply. Income deductions, household math, and category rules regularly surprise people in both directions, so a ten-minute application beats a year without coverage.
CommonHelp lets you apply for health coverage alone or together with food, cash, child care, and energy help in one filing. Health-care questions route to Cover Virginia at 855-242-8282 (TTY 1-888-221-1590).
Have the basics ready: identity, Social Security numbers, income proof, and Virginia residency. Watch your mail and respond to any request for more information quickly, and complete renewals on time so coverage does not lapse.
A pregnancy is the moment to apply regardless of past denials, and 2-1-1 can point you to community health centers that see patients no matter their coverage while an application processes.
Phone 1-855-242-8282
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Virginia residents who meet the income rules for their group; adult coverage expanded to low-income adults 19 to 64 under Medicaid expansion
- Children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities each have their own pathway, so apply even if you were denied before
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Apply through CommonHelp online, or call Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282.
- 2
Have proof of identity, income, Social Security numbers, and Virginia residency ready.
- 3
Watch your mail and respond fast to requests for more information.
- 4
If approved, complete renewals on time and report changes.
What to have ready
- Photo ID or another proof of identity and date of birth
- Proof of income and Social Security numbers for those applying
- Proof of Virginia residency, such as a lease or utility bill.
What the application looks like
Common questions
Who qualifies for Virginia Medicaid now?
Adults 19 to 64 with income under 138 percent of poverty, about $1,836 a month for one person in 2026, plus children, pregnant people, and aged, blind, or disabled Virginians under their own rules.
What is Cardinal Care?
The brand name for Virginia Medicaid. Same program, same application; the name covers all of Medicaid's coverage groups.
How do I apply?
Call Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282 (TTY 1-888-221-1590) or apply online through CommonHelp, alone or with other benefits in one filing.
A screener said I make too much. Should I still apply?
Yes. Cover Virginia itself says eligibility is not final until you apply. Deductions and category rules surprise people in both directions.
Can my kids be covered if I am not?
Often, yes. Children's Medicaid and FAMIS reach higher incomes than adult coverage. Apply for the children even if the parents are over the adult limit.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
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