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Your Virginia Medicaid (Cardinal Care) Renewal, Explained
Also called: Medicaid Renewal Form, Renewal Packet
Last reviewed 2026-07-16
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What this notice usually means
Virginia Medicaid, known as Cardinal Care, checks your coverage once a year. This is called a renewal. First, the Department of Medical Assistance Services, or DMAS, tries to renew your case using records it already has. If that works, you get a letter saying your coverage continues. If it does not work, you get a paper renewal form in the mail, or a checklist asking for papers like pay stubs. The due date is printed on your own form, not on this page. Your local Department of Social Services, or DSS, and DMAS decide if your coverage continues.
See every source line for this notice
“The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) plays an essential role in the Commonwealth’s health care system by offering health care coverage to more than one in five Virginians through our Medicaid program, known as Cardinal Care.”
“You must renew your Virginia Medicaid health coverage each year. This is called an annual renewal.”
“The due date will be printed on the form when you receive it.”
“If we don’t receive your form or your verifications, your health coverage will end for “failure to renew” and you will receive a letter letting you know when your benefits will close.”
“Online: Go to commonhelp.virginia.gov . Select "Renew my benefits." Read below for how to create an account.”
“By phone: Call Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282 (TTY: 1-888-221-1590). The call is free.”
“By email: Scan, take a picture, or attach electronic copies to an email and send to covervadocs@coverva.org.”
What to do now
- 1
Find the due date on your own form
Virginia's own renewal materials say the due date is printed on the form or checklist you receive. DMAS's fact sheet for Aged, Blind, or Disabled renewals gives 30 days to return the form and 10 days to return extra proof. Check your own packet for your exact date.
- 2
Gather the papers your letter asks for
If you get a checklist, it lists exactly what DMAS still needs, often pay stubs or bank statements. Send only what your own letter or checklist requests.
- 3
Send it back through a listed channel
You have four ways to renew. Go online at CommonHelp.virginia.gov. Call Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282. Mail or drop off your form at your local DSS. Or email copies of documents to covervadocs@coverva.org.
- 4
Act fast even if the date has passed
Virginia's own materials give you about 3 months after your coverage closes for failure to renew. Turn in your form or proof in that time. You get a full review, and you do not have to start a new application.
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Virginia's fact sheet for Aged, Blind, or Disabled renewals sets two deadlines. Return the form in 30 days. Return extra proof in 10 days. Other Virginia Medicaid renewals may use a different timeline. Your own form has the real due date. State materials also describe a 3 month window to fix a missed deadline. You do not have to start a new application. Your own letter or form has the date that controls, not this page.
“If the member does not return the renewal form within 30 days or the additional information within 10 days, coverage will be cancelled.”
“If the member does not return the renewal form within 30 days or the additional information within 10 days, coverage will be cancelled.”
“however a member has 3 months to return the renewal form and/or additional information to receive a full evaluation”
“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!”
Wondering which date applies to you? Check it with Plainly
In Virginia
- Phone
- 1-855-242-8282
- Online portal
- CommonHelp
Ways to send it, from the published rules:
- Online
https://commonhelp.virginia.gov
Go to commonhelp.virginia.gov and select "Renew my benefits" (or "Check my benefits" to link an existing case using your case number and member ID). Documents can also be scanned/photographed and emailed to covervadocs@coverva.org.
- Phone
Cover Virginia. TTY: 1-888-221-1590. The call is free; free language assistance is available.
- Mail
Your local Department of Social Services (DSS)
Fill out the paper renewal form and return it to your local DSS.
- In person
Your local Department of Social Services (DSS)
The renewal page groups this with mail: "By mail or in person: Fill out the paper renewal form. Return it to your local DSS."
- Fax
The standard DSS request-for-information/verification-checklist letter offers faxing a copy of documents as an option ("2. By fax. Fax a copy to us at"); the fax number is case-worker/office-specific and was redacted in the published sample template, so no single statewide fax number is published — call Cover Virginia or your local DSS for the correct fax number.
This rule has not been verified yet. Check the official source before you rely on it.
Sources
- Cover Virginia (Department of Medical Assistance Services)Retrieved 2026-07-16
- Virginia Medicaid (Department of Medical Assistance Services)Retrieved 2026-07-16
- Cover Virginia (Department of Medical Assistance Services), LTSS Medicaid Renewals for Aged, Blind, or Disabled Members Fact SheetRetrieved 2026-07-16
- Cover Virginia (Department of Medical Assistance Services), Medicaid Renewal Process Flow SheetRetrieved 2026-07-16
- Virginia Medicaid (Department of Medical Assistance Services)Retrieved 2026-07-16
Last reviewed 2026-07-16
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