Moving to or from Virginia with Medicaid
Moving TO Virginia
Cardinal Care (Virginia's Medicaid program) does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new Virginia resident applies fresh through Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on Virginia's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving Virginia
Leaving Virginia ends your Cardinal Care (Virginia's Medicaid program) case — no state will take it over. Close the case with Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services ↗ (application page)
Virginia Medicaid at a glance
| Program name | Cardinal Care |
|---|---|
| ACA Medicaid expansion | Yes — adults covered on income |
| Adult income limit | 138% of the federal poverty level |
| Processing | up to 45 days |
Common questions
Who runs Medicaid in Virginia?
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, which runs the program as Cardinal Care. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does Virginia make new residents wait for Medicaid?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for Medicaid. You apply as soon as you live in Virginia; eligibility is decided on Virginia's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving Virginia?
Contact Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (official link below) to report the move and close your case effective your move month.
Every move involving Virginia
From Virginia to…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
To Virginia from…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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