Foster care and adoption assistance
Here for you. Here for the ones you care about.
Getting affordable health insurance for kids in your care is your priority. It’s ours, too. Children in foster care and adoption assistance may be eligible for Virginia Medicaid, the state’s health insurance program. And they can get a full range of health benefits and more from the Anthem HealthKeepers Plus plan.
What do foster children get?
- More than 25,000 doctors and hospitals to choose from across the state
- All their Medicaid benefits, plus extras they can really use at no cost
- Case management and behavioral health services
- Case management for members aging out of foster care to help them find health care and support focused on their individual needs
Who can get it?
- Foster care children under age 18
- Eligible former foster care youth who had Medicaid and foster care services in any state at the time of their 18th birthday and are currently under age 26
- Children adopted under the Adoption Assistance program may be eligible
How to sign up and switch health plans
Former foster care youth under 26
Many ways to apply:
- Go online to CommonHelp.
- Call Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282.
- Print the paper application.
- Call your local Department of Social Services at 1-804-726-7000.
Foster care children under 18
Foster care children under age 18 don’t need to apply. They’re automatically enrolled in Medicaid and given a health plan.
You can switch plans.
Want to choose the Anthem HealthKeepers Plus plan for children in your care? It’s easy to switch. Call your caseworker any time throughout the year and tell them you choose us. Only your caseworker can call the Managed Care HelpLine at 1-800-643-2273 (TTY 711) for foster children under 18 to make the change. Former foster care youth can call the Managed Care HelpLine directly to switch plans.
Want to switch PCPs? If your foster child is already enrolled with us, you can change his or her PCP by calling Member Services at 1-800-901-0020 (TTY 711) or logging into your secure account.
Community partners and support
Community partners
New Found Families (formerly called FACES, or Family Advocacy Collaboration Empowerment Support of Virginia Families) is a nonprofit organization that offers support and resources so despite challenges, the experience for both foster parents and children is rewarding and helpful. To learn more, call 1-877-VA-FACES.
Great Expectations helps Virginia’s foster youth finish high school, get access to a community college education and shift successfully from the foster care system to living independently.
Project LIFE helps foster youth thrive while they’re in the program and as they grow up. It gives them the opportunity to make connections and helps them get the resources they need. Project LIFE serves youth ages 14 to 21 and works together with local departments of social services to prepare youth for success after foster care.
Foster Care Alumni Association of Virginia (FCAA) is a group that offers a network of alumni, allies and organizations that join together to form a permanent community and use their skills to help the lives of people in foster care. Call 1-888-ALUMNI-(0) to find local resource information.
More support
Cover Virginia is a useful resource to learn more about Virginia’s health care programs for kids, pregnant women and adults. Any young adult who was in foster care on their 18th birthday can apply for benefits with the Former Foster Care program online or by calling Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282.
The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is one of the largest Commonwealth agencies, partnering with 120 other local departments, along with faith-based and nonprofit organizations, to promote the well-being of children and families statewide.
Find your local Department of Social Services.
Get more information about foster care and FAQs.
Help us learn more.
Fill out the Health Asessment, so we can learn more about the children in your care and their needs. When we know them better, we can find doctors and benefits to fit their needs.