Watch: Using CommonHelp After Applying

You can check the status of your case and benefits by contacting our Customer Call Center at 703-324-7500, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. We recommend waiting at least 24 hours until after applying to ensure your case has been routed for processing.

Do you need to renew your benefits? Keep your coverage by updating your contact information and completing the renewal process online at CommonHelp or call the Enterprise Call Center at 855-635-4370.

If you need to report a change to your case or request that your case be closed, you can do so by:

• Updating your case in CommonHelp
• Calling your case worker directly or calling the Customer Call Center at 703-324-7500, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• Emailing your case worker at DFSMyCase@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Providing documents related to the change/request by

• Drop off your documents any time, any day at a secure drop box location.
• Email your documents any time, any day, to DFSMyCase@fairfaxcounty.gov.
• Fax your documents to 703-653-6679 any time, any day. 
• Mail your documents to:
  12011 Government Center Parkway
  Suite 232, Pennino Building
  Fairfax, VA 22035

Everyone approved for Medicaid receives a Notice of Action in the mail   that lists a Medicaid Enrollee ID Number. The Enrollee ID Number is the number that will be listed on your Medicaid card and can be used to receive services before your physical card is received. 

View sample Medicaid cards:

• English
• Spanish

Medicaid coverage is provided by the Department of Medical Assistance Services. Common services provided through Medicaid are doctor visits, hospital care, mental health services, prescriptions, and rehabilitative services.

Once someone is approved for Medicaid, information on selecting a Managed Care Organization (MCO) will be provided based on the Medicaid covered group. If a Medicaid recipient does not select an MCO within 90 days, an MCO will be selected for them.

After the MCO has been selected, the Medicaid recipient will not be able to change their Managed Care Organization until it is time to renew their benefits. 

Please review the section of the Notice of Action titled “Using your health coverage” for information about finding a provider. Some providers only accept coverage provided by certain Managed Care Organizations so please check with the provider before receiving services.

Medicaid recipients with private insurance, with Medicare, that are receiving long-term care services, or are a child in foster care will not be placed into a Managed Care Organization.

For questions about MCOs please contact the Managed Care Helpline at (800) 643-2273.

Please feel free to call the Department of Family Services at (703) 324-7500 to speak with a representative or contact the Human Service Worker managing the case directly using the telephone number provided on the most recent notice.

The Medicare Program is a government-sponsored health insurance available to those aged 65 or older, who have been receiving Social Security benefits for at least 24 months due to disability, and/or people who have been diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease.

If someone is a Medicare Part A recipient and over the income limit for full coverage Medicaid, they may be eligible for a limited coverage Medicare Saving Plan (MSP). Depending on the level of coverage approved, MSPs will cover various out-of-pocket medical costs including Medicare Part A and B premiums. The MSP coverage process is commonly referred to as Medicare “buy-in” programs. 

Once approved for both Medicare and Medicaid, it may take up to three (3) months for Medicaid to start covering costs covered by the buy-in. Your   eligibility date will depend on the type of coverage. Recipients will be reimbursed for covered months.

When a person has both Medicare and Medicaid, eligible expenses will be covered by Medicare first, followed by Medicaid as the last to pay program.

Learn more about Medicare and Medicaid. If you have more general questions about Medicare, please call 1-800-633-4227.

If you have questions about Medicaid, please call the Department of Family Services at (703) 324-7500 to speak with representative or contact your Human Service Worker directly using the telephone number provided on your most recent notice.
 

The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) provides Medicaid coverage to enrollees through two systems once a Medicaid application is approved: fee-for-service (FFS) or managed care organization (MCO) health insurance plan.

Fee-For-Service (FFS) is an indemnity plan in which the provider charges a fee for each service and receives payment from the Department of Medical Assistance for each service. Most Medicaid members are only in fee-for-service for a short time until they get a managed care health plan.  

A Managed Care Organization (MCO) is a network of healthcare providers contracted by DMAS and allows a recipient to select a primary care physician (PCP). Once approved for Medicaid, if a recipient does not select an MCO for themselves within 90 days, DMAS will assign an MCO.

After an MCO has been selected, the recipient will not be able to change their selection until their renewal. For questions about MCOs, recipients should contact the Managed Care Helpline at (800) 643-2273.

Clients should review the section of their notice titled “Using your health coverage” for information about finding a provider.

Some providers may accept Fee-For-Service Medicaid, and some may only accept coverage through a MCO so please inform recipients to check with the provider before receiving services.