Transferring Medicaid from Virginia to North Dakota
No — Medicaid does not move with you. Your Virginia coverage ends when you stop being a Virginia resident, and you apply again with North Dakota Medicaid after you arrive. There is no residency waiting period, and coverage can reach back to your application date.
Both states cover adults under expansion rules at 138% of the federal poverty level, so if you qualified on income in Virginia, you will likely qualify in North Dakota too.
Official North Dakota Medicaid agency: North Dakota Health and Human Services ↗ (application page)
Your step-by-step checklist
Before you move
- 1
Gather your documents before the move
You will reapply from scratch: proof of identity, income (pay stubs or award letters), your new address, and immigration documents if applicable.
- 2
Tell Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services you are leaving
Report your move and ask for your case to be closed effective the end of the month you leave. Medicaid cannot cover you in two states at once.
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services ↗
Moving week
- 3
Time the closure to the end of your move month
Keep coverage through the month you travel. Your old state's coverage generally ends the month you stop being a resident.
After you arrive
- 4
Apply with North Dakota Health and Human Services as soon as you arrive
There is no waiting period based on how long you have lived there — apply immediately. Processing: up to 45 days.
Online application ↗ - 5
Ask about retroactive coverage
Most states can cover eligible medical bills up to 3 months before your application date — ask when you apply if you had care during the gap.
Virginia vs North Dakota: the numbers that decide it
| Virginia (old state) | North Dakota (new state) | |
|---|---|---|
| Program name | Cardinal Care | North Dakota Medicaid |
| Agency | Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services | North Dakota Health and Human Services |
| ACA Medicaid expansion | Yes — adults covered on income | Yes — adults covered on income |
| Adult income limit | 138% of the federal poverty level | 138% of the federal poverty level |
Verified 2026-08-08 (Virginia) and 2026-08-08 (North Dakota) against the official sources cited below.
Moving with more than one benefit?
The checklist generator merges Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, unemployment, and TANF into one ordered to-do list for this exact move.
Build the full Virginia → North Dakota checklistCommon questions
Can I use my Virginia Medicaid in North Dakota while I wait?
Generally no. Virginia Medicaid only pays providers for Virginia residents, and out-of-state care is limited to emergencies. Once you live in North Dakota, you need North Dakota coverage — apply immediately and ask about retroactive coverage for bills in the gap.
Is there a waiting period for Medicaid in North Dakota?
No. States cannot impose a minimum-residency waiting period. You qualify (or not) on North Dakota's income and category rules from the day you become a resident. The application itself takes up to 45 days.
Can I have Medicaid in two states at once?
No. You can only receive Medicaid from the state where you live. Keeping an old case open while opening a new one can create repayment problems — close the Virginia case effective your move month.
Where do I actually apply in North Dakota?
Through North Dakota Health and Human Services (online application linked above). Official Medicaid pages for both states are cited at the bottom of this page.
Related guides
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified.
- Cover Virginia (DMAS) — Adults 19-64 — accessed 2026-08-08
- CommonHelp — apply for Virginia assistance online — accessed 2026-08-08
- ND HHS Medicaid — accessed 2026-08-08
- ND HHS Medicaid Expansion — accessed 2026-08-08