Virginia CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program
Updated August 2026
FAMIS is Virginia's name for the federal Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). There are two FAMIS programs: FAMIS Plus (Medicaid-funded for families up to 133% FPL) and FAMIS (CHIP-funded for families from 133% to 200% FPL). Both are administered by DMAS and applied for through commonhelp.virginia.gov or CoverVirginia at 1-855-242-8282.
133%–200%
FPL income range for FAMIS (CHIP)
FAMIS
Program name (Family Access to Medical Insurance Security)
45 days
Typical application processing time
FAMIS covers children in mixed-status households
Eligible children can apply for FAMIS regardless of the immigration status of parents or other household members. Parents do not need to provide their Social Security numbers if they are not applying for coverage themselves. This protection has been Virginia DMAS policy since at least 2020.
Who qualifies for FAMIS (Virginia CHIP)
FAMIS covers uninsured children under 19 whose family income is between 133% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level — the income range above standard Medicaid (FAMIS Plus) but below the point where private insurance is typically affordable without a significant subsidy. Children must not have access to other creditable health coverage.
- Child must be under age 19
- Family income up to approximately $67,650/year ($5,638/month) for a family of 4 for FAMIS, or up to approximately $48,840/year ($4,070/month) for a family of 4 for FAMIS Plus (Medicaid) — see table below for other household sizes
- Child must be uninsured and not eligible for other government health programs
- Child must be a U.S. citizen, national, or qualified non-citizen
- Family must reside in Virginia
| Family size | FAMIS Plus (Medicaid) yearly / monthly | FAMIS yearly / monthly |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $23,621 / $1,969 | $32,718 / $2,727 |
| 2 | $32,028 / $2,669 | $44,362 / $3,697 |
| 3 | $40,434 / $3,370 | $56,006 / $4,668 |
| 4 | $48,840 / $4,070 | $67,650 / $5,638 |
| 5 | $57,247 / $4,771 | $79,294 / $6,608 |
| 6 | $65,653 / $5,472 | $90,938 / $7,579 |
| Each additional | +$8,407 / +$701 | +$11,644 / +$971 |
1
- FAMIS Plus (Medicaid) yearly / monthly
- $23,621 / $1,969
- FAMIS yearly / monthly
- $32,718 / $2,727
2
- FAMIS Plus (Medicaid) yearly / monthly
- $32,028 / $2,669
- FAMIS yearly / monthly
- $44,362 / $3,697
3
- FAMIS Plus (Medicaid) yearly / monthly
- $40,434 / $3,370
- FAMIS yearly / monthly
- $56,006 / $4,668
4
- FAMIS Plus (Medicaid) yearly / monthly
- $48,840 / $4,070
- FAMIS yearly / monthly
- $67,650 / $5,638
5
- FAMIS Plus (Medicaid) yearly / monthly
- $57,247 / $4,771
- FAMIS yearly / monthly
- $79,294 / $6,608
6
- FAMIS Plus (Medicaid) yearly / monthly
- $65,653 / $5,472
- FAMIS yearly / monthly
- $90,938 / $7,579
Each additional
- FAMIS Plus (Medicaid) yearly / monthly
- +$8,407 / +$701
- FAMIS yearly / monthly
- +$11,644 / +$971
Source: DMAS/CoverVA "Medicaid for Children and FAMIS" income guidelines, 2026 (as of January 13, 2026), which include a 5% FPL income disregard.
FAMIS vs. FAMIS Plus: what's the difference
FAMIS and FAMIS Plus are closely related programs with the same application, similar benefits, and the same Cardinal Care managed care structure — but they are funded differently and serve different income ranges. Per DMAS/CoverVA, there are no monthly premiums, co-payments, deductibles, or other costs for covered services for children enrolled in either program.
| Feature | FAMIS Plus (Medicaid) | FAMIS (CHIP) |
|---|---|---|
| Income range | Up to 133% FPL | 133%–200% FPL |
| Funding source | Medicaid (federal/state) | CHIP (Title XXI) |
| Premiums, co-pays, deductibles | None | None |
| Dental and vision | Full EPSDT coverage | Full EPSDT coverage |
| Delivery model | Cardinal Care MCO | Cardinal Care MCO |
Income range
- FAMIS Plus (Medicaid)
- Up to 133% FPL
- FAMIS (CHIP)
- 133%–200% FPL
Funding source
- FAMIS Plus (Medicaid)
- Medicaid (federal/state)
- FAMIS (CHIP)
- CHIP (Title XXI)
Premiums, co-pays, deductibles
- FAMIS Plus (Medicaid)
- None
- FAMIS (CHIP)
- None
Dental and vision
- FAMIS Plus (Medicaid)
- Full EPSDT coverage
- FAMIS (CHIP)
- Full EPSDT coverage
Delivery model
- FAMIS Plus (Medicaid)
- Cardinal Care MCO
- FAMIS (CHIP)
- Cardinal Care MCO
What FAMIS covers for children
FAMIS covers a comprehensive benefit package equivalent to EPSDT. Like FAMIS Plus, FAMIS delivers coverage through the Cardinal Care managed care plans. Children enrolled in FAMIS receive most of the same services as children enrolled in Medicaid.
- Doctor visits and well-child checkups
- Prescriptions
- Emergency room care
- Inpatient hospital care
- Mental health services
- Dental care (full EPSDT scope)
- Vision screenings and eyeglasses
- Specialty care referrals
- Medical transportation when needed
How to apply for FAMIS
Apply for FAMIS and FAMIS Plus through the same process — a single application determines which program your child qualifies for. Apply online at commonhelp.virginia.gov, call CoverVirginia at 1-855-242-8282 (TTY: 1-888-221-1590), or visit your local Department of Social Services office.
Processing typically takes up to 45 days. Applications submitted for pregnant women are processed in 15 days under federal standards.
What CHIP is
CHIP — the Children's Health Insurance Program — is a federal-state partnership that covers children in families whose income is too high for Medicaid but too low to afford private insurance. Congress created CHIP in 1997 under Title XXI of the Social Security Act. Like Medicaid, CHIP is jointly funded by the federal government and each state, and each state administers its own program.
CHIP serves children up to age 19 (some states cover to 21 for children in foster care). It is not available to adults — CHIP is specifically designed to address the coverage gap for children in working families.
Nationally, CHIP covers approximately 7 million children, according to CMS data. In most states, it is a seamless part of the broader children's health coverage system alongside Medicaid.
Virginia Medicaid
- Apply for FAMIS and FAMIS Plus: commonhelp.virginia.gov
- CoverVirginia phone line: 1-855-242-8282 (TTY: 1-888-221-1590)
- Virginia DMAS: dmas.virginia.gov
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