Enrollment and Renewal

How Do I Renew?

smiling woman wearing headset
Renewing your Cardinal Care benefits

Your Virginia Medicaid Cardinal Care benefits need to be renewed each year. If your local department of social services has all the information they need, they will automatically renew your benefits. You’ll get a notice in the mail telling you if your coverage will continue for another year.

If your coverage cannot be renewed automatically, you will get a paper renewal form in the mail. If you get this form, you must take action to renew your Cardinal Care benefits.

It’s easier to renew online or by phone. You can renew your Medicaid coverage by:


If you do not complete your renewal, you will lose your Medicaid coverage. If you have questions about your health plan, call us at (800) 424-4518 (TTY 711). We’re here Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.


Keep your benefits. Renew on time. 

Did you know you must renew your Medicaid benefits every year?

Since you’re enrolled in Virginia Medicaid, the state reviews your information each year to make sure you’re still eligible for benefits. When the time comes, it’s important that you act quickly.

As your health plan, we want to make sure you’re able to keep getting the care you need, when and where you need it. So, we try to make it easy for you by telling you what you need to know, what you need to do, and what you can expect.

 

When to renew

When your renewal date is near, you should get a renewal letter by mail from Cover Virginia. Be sure to open the letter and read the instructions. Follow the instructions and return any requested information as soon as possible. 

Molina Healthcare will send you reminders, too, so you won’t miss a deadline.

Note: Make sure your contact information is up to date with Cover Virginia and with Molina Healthcare so you don’t miss an important message  about your renewal. You have several options to update your information: 

 

Information you need

To make it easier when you renew, you should have the following ready:

  • Full legal name
  • Birthdates for all members of your household
  • Social Security numbers (or document numbers for any legal immigrants who need insurance) Employer and income information for everyone in your family (for example, from paystubs, W-2 forms, or wage and tax statements)
  • Policy numbers for any current health insurance
  • Information about any job-related health insurance available to your family
  • Income information for all adults and minors 14 and over who are required to file a tax return. This may include:
    • Paystubs
    • W-2 forms
    • Wage and tax statements

 

How to renew

There are several ways to renew. Choose the one that’s best for you:

  • Online: Submit the completed form/documents online at commonhelp.virginia.gov.
  • By Phone: Call Cover Virginia at (855) 242-8282 (TTY: (888) 221-1590) to submit your renewal information. Have the requested information gathered and ready to give over the phone.
  • By Mail: Mail the completed form/documents to the address listed on the form or checklist by the due date. Medicaid will send you a prepaid return envelope, or you can turn in the form/documents by fax or in person at your local Department of Social Services office (www.dss.virginia.gov/localagency/index.cgi)

 

How to get help

If you need help completing your renewal  form, we can help. Call the VA Health Plan Renewals Team at (833) 638-7184 (TTY/TDD: 711).

If you have questions for us, please call Member Services at (800) 424-4518 (TTY/TDD: 711). We’re available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday.

 

Commonly asked questions and their answers 

Q. What happens if I miss my renewal date?
A. If you miss your renewal deadline, you may lose your coverage. However, if you are closed for a “failure to renew” reason, you have three months after your closure to return the form or verifications in order for us to review your benefits – you don’t have to reapply! After the three months if we don’t hear from you then you will need to reapply if you would like us to see if you might be eligible again.

Q. What happens if I’m no longer eligible for Virginia  Medicaid ? 
A. If you are turning 65 years old or have certain disabilities, you may also qualify for Medicare whether or not you are still eligible for Medicaid. We offer Medicare Advantage plans which include all Original Medicare benefits and much more.  If you are eligible or may become eligible for Medicare, call (844) 358-9292, TTY/TDD: 711 or visit the Medicare website here.

Q. What if I didn’t receive a renewal packet?
A. Have you moved or changed your phone number? Cover Virginia may not have your current contact information. 

Q. What if I need a ride to the Department of Social Services?
A. As a Molina Healthcare member, you may use your transportation benefit to schedule a ride to your local Department of Social Services office. Call Veyo at (877) 790-9472 at least 3 business days in advance. Call Veyo 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday.

Q. What should I do if my benefits were ended by mistake?
A. If you think your Medicaid benefits were ended by mistake you will receive a notice in the mail with Information on how to file an appeal.

Q. What should I do if my income changes?
A. You must report income changes to Cover Virginia as soon as possible. Changes of include can include:

  • One-time gifts or payments
  • A change in hourly wage or salary
  • A change in full- or part-time employment status
  • Gain or loss of employment

If you don’t report income changes, you may lose your benefits and may have to pay for any bills paid by Molina Healthcare or Cover Virginia.