The Virginia Health Care Foundation is dedicated to helping strengthen and expand Virginia's health safety net to make primary care more available to Virginia's uninsured.
Depending on your age, location, income and medical needs, the following programs and providers may be able to help you receive the care you need.
Primary Health Care Services
Virginia's robust network of Community Health Centers and Free Clinics provide free or affordable health care to uninsured Virginians in many communities across the Commonwealth.
Other health safety net providers may be able to provide you with services such as prenatal care, immunizations, or emergency care.
In addition to medical care, there is a growing network of dental care providers in Virginia's safety net.
State Sponsored Health Insurance for Children
Children and expectant mothers may be eligible for state-sponsored health insurance through FAMIS, FAMIS Plus or FAMIS Moms. FAMIS is Virginia's program that helps families provide health insurance to their children. FAMIS stands for Family Access to Medical Insurance Security.
Looking for help? VHCF offers a wealth of information on FAMIS, including local organizations that provide enrollment assistance for FAMIS programs.
Medicaid
The Virginia Medicaid program covers a broad range of services with nominal cost sharing for some of the beneficiaries as permitted under federal law.
While Medicaid was created to assist persons with low income, coverage is dependent upon other criteria as well. Eligibility is primarily for those persons falling into particular categories such as low income children, pregnant women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and parents meeting specific income thresholds.
To be eligible for Medicaid, applicants must meet non-financial and financial requirements and must be in one of four major groups:
- Medically Indigent Children and Pregnant Women (MI) - Medicaid generally provides coverage to pregnant women and children with countable family income below 133% of the federal poverty level (FPL) who meet the non-financial requirements. Eligibility under this component is determined without regard to the individual's resources.
- Low Income Families and Children (LIFC) - Medicaid covers families who meet the non-financial requirements and the income and resource requirements.
- Aged, Blind and Disabled (ABD) - Medicaid covers individuals over 65 and individuals with disabilities who meet the non-financial requirements and the income and resource requirements. Medicaid covers Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who meet the resource requirements.
- Long-Term Care (LTC) - Medicaid provides coverage to individuals who require care in a medical facility or whose care can be provided in the home and whose income and resources are insufficient to cover the cost of their care.
For individuals who meet income and resource limits for full coverage, Medicaid covers a comprehensive range of services, including hospital care, doctor's visits, prescriptions, mental health services, and rehabilitative services (see the Virginia Medicaid Program: At a Glance)
To apply for Medicaid, you need to follow these steps:
- Complete screening for potential eligibility
- Obtain proof of citizenship (PDF)
- Submit application to your local department of social services (you can also pick up an application at your local office or ask them to mail one to you).
To learn more about Medicaid and to see if you are eligible visit the Virginia Department of Social Services Medicaid website. Your local Department of Social Services office can provide you with help if you need assistance completing your Medicaid application.
Other Programs for the Uninsured
The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) administers Virginia's Medicaid program and also provides information regarding other programs that are available to uninsured Virginians and to those with disabilities, long-term illnesses and the elderly (see the Commonwealth of Virginia Roadmap to Services).
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