Health insurance help for Virginia residents
Compare Medicare, health insurance marketplace plans and Medicaid in Virginia, with a guide for every county and each major city, reviewed by a licensed agent.
- Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed agent (NPN 21255551)
- No cost to call
- No obligation to enroll
What is different about coverage in Virginia
Virginia Medicaid is run by the Department of Medical Assistance Services, and since November 2023 Virginia has run its own state-based ACA marketplace, Virginia's Insurance Marketplace, replacing the federal HealthCare.gov site. Virginia Medical Insurance is free to use for Virginia callers working through Medicare, ACA, life, or supplemental coverage questions.
- Virginia Medicaid and FAMIS (Virginia's children's health insurance program) are administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) -- DMAS, through the Cover Virginia call center, is the right place to start if your Virginia Medicaid eligibility changed.
- Virginia's Insurance Marketplace, launched November 1, 2023, fully replaced HealthCare.gov as the place Virginia residents shop for individual and family ACA coverage.
- Free Medicare counseling is available in Virginia through VICAP (Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program) at 1-800-552-3402, run by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services and separate from Virginia Medical Insurance's own free phone help.
Worth knowing: Virginia's insurance regulator isn't a standalone department the way most states structure it -- the Bureau of Insurance is a division of the State Corporation Commission (SCC), the same body that also oversees Virginia's Insurance Marketplace.
Coverage questions we help Virginia residents with
Health plans (ACA marketplace)
How Virginia’s marketplace works, who qualifies for help with costs, and when you can enroll.
Medicare
Turning 65, Medicare Advantage, Medigap and drug plans, with Virginia’s free counseling program.
Medicaid
Where to apply in Virginia, and what to do when your coverage changes.
Virginia by county
Medicare Advantage plans and marketplace premiums are set county by county, so the plans open to you depend on where in Virginia you live. Start with your county.
Major Virginia cities
Virginia colleges and universities
- University of Virginia
- Virginia Tech
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- George Mason University
- James Madison University
- Old Dominion University
State bird: Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis. Virginia’s official state bird, shown here as a local touch.
Photo: Unknown (Public domain), via Wikimedia CommonsCommon Virginia questions
Where do I shop for ACA health plans in Virginia?
Virginia residents shop through Virginia's Insurance Marketplace (https://www.marketplace.virginia.gov). An independent agent such as Lander LLC can explain the plans for you, but the marketplace is the only place premium tax credits are applied.
How do I apply for Medicaid in Virginia?
Medicaid in Virginia is run through Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) (https://www.dmas.virginia.gov). Eligibility depends on income, household size and other factors, and it is decided by the state, not by an insurance agency.
Who regulates insurance in Virginia?
Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance (https://www.scc.virginia.gov/boi) regulates insurance companies and agents in Virginia. You can use it to check that an agent or company is licensed and to file a complaint.
Is there free, unbiased Medicare help in Virginia?
Yes. VICAP (Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program) (1-800-552-3402) offers free Medicare counseling through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), separate from any insurance agency.
Does Virginia Medical Insurance cost anything to use?
There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent. Insurance premiums and plan costs are set by the insurance companies and are separate from our help.
Talk with a licensed agent about Virginia coverage
Call Lander LLC to go over your options. There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent, and you are never required to enroll in anything.
Call 855-367-1095Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed insurance agent (NPN 21255551), Lander LLC. Last updated October 3, 2026. This page is educational and is not a quote, an offer of coverage, or legal or tax advice.