What the 12-month postpartum extension covers
Virginia Medicaid covers people for 12 months after pregnancy ends (since July 2022).
Federal law requires at least 60 days of coverage after a pregnancy ends and lets each state choose to extend it to 12 months (42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)).
During pregnancy and for a year after, CDC asks you to get medical care right away for urgent warning signs such as a headache that won't go away, changes in vision, trouble breathing, chest pain, extreme swelling of the hands or face, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. See the full CDC list.
For Black families
Virginia Medicaid, also called Cardinal Care, pays state-certified community doulas for prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care, a benefit CMS approved effective January 1, 2022. A plan amendment effective July 1, 2026 allows up to 10 doula visits, up to four during pregnancy and up to six in the 12 months after birth, with more if medically necessary. Members on Medicaid for Pregnant Women or FAMIS MOMS keep full coverage for 12 months after the pregnancy ends.
Where to get help in Virginia
- The application line Cardinal Care lists on its own pages: 1-855-242-8282.
- Community health centers in Virginia: /clinics/va/. Federally funded community health centers discount their fees by income, with a full discount at or below the poverty line (42 CFR 51c.303(f)).
- Health profile for Black residents of Virginia: /health/virginia/.
More Virginia Medicaid facets
If you have Medicaid, the coverage on this page is the route to use first: it costs you nothing and it is what these programs exist for. If you are not covered yet, there is still a free option. Our directory of free and charitable clinics lists centers by state. The option below is self-pay and is not billed to Medicaid. It is here for readers who are between coverage or who prefer to pay out of pocket:
Sesame Care
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Same-day video visits from $34
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