Renew Your Coverage

You must renew your Virginia Medicaid coverage every year to keep your benefits. Due to the COVID-19 related Public Health Emergency, renewals may only be processed if the agency is able to continue coverage. Some agencies are not processing renewals until the Public Health Emergency is over. The state will mail you a form when it is time to renew.

Your renewal date is the month before the month you originally applied. For example, if you applied in March 2020, your renewal is due February 2021. Renewals must be completed prior to cut-off in the 12th month of eligibility. The first 12-month period begins with the month of application for Medicaid.

How to Renew

Once you get your renewal form in the mail, you have several ways to renew:

Phone:
Call Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282 (TTY: 1-888-221-1590). Available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Online:
Go to commonhelp.virginia.gov and choose "Renew Benefits"

Mail:
Complete the paper renewal form and return it to your local Department of Social Services

Information Needed

You may be asked for the following information when you renew:

  • legal names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and citizenship or immigration status for you and family members
  • pay stubs and other information about your job and income for the last month
  • information about other taxable income, such as unemployment benefits, Social Security benefits, pensions, retirement income, rental income, and alimony received
  • current health insurance information if you are switching to Medicaid from another type of health insurance, including the policy number

Things to Remember

Have you moved?

If so, the state needs your new address to send your renewal form. Contact Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282 (TTY: 1-888-221-1590) and let them know.

Didn’t get a renewal form?

It could mean that the state has all the information it needs to complete your renewal automatically. If this is the case, they will tell you. You will receive a notice in the mail if your coverage will continue for another year. If you do not receive a notice, call Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282 (TTY: 1-888-221-1590).

Questions?

If you have questions about your Optima Health Medicaid plan, you can call member services at the number on the back of your member ID card.

Stay Covered

Medicaid members, don’t lose your healthcare coverage. The renewal process is back.
Learn what to do next.

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