If you live in Virginia, the following health insurance contact information may be helpful to you:
Virginia Bureau of Insurance
The Virginia Bureau of Insurance is responsible for regulating all types of insurance sold in the state of Virginia -- including health insurance policies.
If you are looking for health insurance coverage, the Bureau of Insurance keeps lists of insurance companies licensed to sell policies in Virginia.
You can also search for information about agents.
If you are having trouble resolving a claims dispute with your insurer, you can file a complaint with the Insurance Department. Find more information about how to file a complaint, including an online complaint form.
Virginia Bureau of Insurance
Street Address: Tyler Building, 1300 E. Main St., Richmond, Virginia 23219
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1157 Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: 800-552-7945 (Virginia only) or 804-371-9741
Email: bureauofinsurance@scc.virginia.gov
U.S. Department of Labor
If you get your insurance through your job, your plan is also regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). They make and enforce the rules that your employer must follow when offering health insurance coverage to employees -- for example, your employer cannot single out an individual employee to exclude her from the plan because she (or one of her dependents) has a costly illness. Also, if there are 20 or more employees at your job, you should be offered COBRA continuation coverage when you leave your job.
The EBSA works to make sure that all of this happens and your rights are protected.
If you have concerns about your employer's practices in administering your job-based health coverage -- for example, if you think you should have been offered COBRA continuation coverage, but were not, or if you feel that you were wrongly terminated from your health plan -- contact your regional EBSA office.
U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration
Washington District Office
1335 East-West Highway, Suite 200
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Elizabeth Bond - Supervisor
Tel 202.693.8700
Fax 202.693.8736
Buying Individual Policies in Virginia
You may also qualify for coverage as a "HIPAA-eligible" individual if you:
- had at least 18 months of continuous creditable coverage, the last day of which was under a group plan AND
- you have exhausted all COBRA continuation coverage which was available to you.
If you are not sure whether you are a HIPAA-eligible individual, your insurance agent or the Virginia Bureau of Insurance can help you find out.
Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS)
The FAMIS program provides health insurance coverage for children whose family income meets certain guidelines.
FAMIS
Phone: 1-866-87FAMIS (1-866-873-2647)
Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP)
VICAP provides free one-on-one counseling for Medicare beneficiaries with questions about any aspect of Medicare, including the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, or Medigap coverage.
VICAP
Phone: 800-552-3402 or 804-662-9333
Virginia Medicaid
Medicaid is a government program designed to help the poor and indigent obtain health care services. Pregnant women and children under age 19 who meet certain income requirements may be eligible for Medicaid coverage, along with aged, blind, and disabled individuals.
Virginia Medicaid
Phone: Contact your local city/county Department of Social Services Office