Virginia Opens $150M Health Premium Savings Enrollment
Eligible residents can apply for state-funded discounts on health insurance premiums through the state marketplace during open enrollment.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Insurance
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Virginia opened open enrollment on November 1 with $150 million in state funds to lower health insurance premiums, first come, first served. Gov. Abigail Spanberger created the Virginia Premium Savings program, which could help up to 200,000 Virginians.
Why it matters
Rising premiums are a central pressure on household budgets, and the state funding offers direct relief to eligible residents. Federal changes beginning in January 2027 will also affect who receives premium tax credits, so timing matters for applicants.
The state has $150 million available, and some enrollees may receive up to 70% off monthly rates for households with incomes between 138% and 250% of the federal poverty level. The extraction does not indicate how many of the up to 200,000 eligible Virginians will ultimately enroll or how quickly the funding will be exhausted.
The players
Abigail Spanberger
Governor of Virginia who created the Virginia Premium Savings program to lower health insurance premiums for eligible residents.
The details
Applicants apply for funding through Virginia's Healthcare Marketplace, where eligible savings appear alongside multiple plan options. Separately, beginning in January, ACA premium tax credits and discounts will be limited to U.S. citizens, green card holders, certain Cuban and Haitian entrants, and Freely Associated States migrants, and premiums for others may increase.
Timeline
November 1: Open enrollment began.
December 31: Deadline to apply for coverage starting January 1, 2027.
January 2027: Federal limits on premium tax credits take effect.
End of January: Open enrollment period closes.
Roadmap
The state-funded savings arrive as federal Affordable Care Act premium tax credits are being limited to specific citizen and immigrant groups starting in January 2027. Premiums for people outside those groups may rise, placing state-level relief against a shifting federal baseline.
Eligible households with incomes between 138% and 250% of the federal poverty level may cut monthly premiums by up to 70%. Residents who fall outside the newly limited immigration groups should expect possible premium increases starting in January.
The takeaway
Enrollees who want state savings should apply early, since funding is first come, first served and the window for January 1, 2027 coverage closes December 31.
What happens next
Applicants must apply by December 31 to receive coverage starting January 1, 2027, and open enrollment closes at the end of January.
Further reading
Explore more coverage of Virginia insurance and related premium changes.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 8News.
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