Quick Answer: For the 2027 plan year, Virginia is launching Virginia Premium Savings, a new $150 million state subsidy program that lowers monthly Marketplace premiums for eligible residents with household income from 138% to under 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL). It stacks on top of any federal premium tax credit you qualify for. To get it, you must enroll in a non-catastrophic qualified health plan through Virginia’s official Marketplace at Marketplace.Virginia.gov during open enrollment, which runs November 1, 2026 through January 29, 2027. Coverage is effective January 1, 2027 if you enroll by December 15, 2026. Funding is limited, so it helps to act early.
If you buy your own health insurance in Virginia, 2027 brings one of the most significant pieces of good news in years. After a difficult 2026, when many Virginians saw premiums jump sharply, the Commonwealth has created a state-funded program designed specifically to bring costs back down for working households. This guide explains exactly what Virginia Premium Savings is, who qualifies, how it interacts with federal subsidies, the deadlines that matter, and how to enroll.
What Is Virginia Premium Savings?
Virginia Premium Savings is a new state-funded subsidy program created by the 2026 Virginia General Assembly and administered by the Virginia Health Benefit Exchange. The Commonwealth allocated $150 million to directly reduce monthly premiums for eligible consumers who buy a qualified health plan through Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace for the 2027 plan year.
The program exists for a clear reason. When Congress allowed the enhanced federal premium tax credits to expire at the end of 2025, Virginia Marketplace enrollees saw their premium costs rise by an average of roughly 75% for 2026, driven both by that subsidy loss and by higher carrier rates. Many working households were priced out. Virginia Premium Savings is the state’s response, designed to bring back residents who dropped coverage and to help those still enrolled keep it affordable.
State officials estimate that about 200,000 Virginians could benefit, and that qualifying consumers could save a meaningful share of their monthly premium. It is important to be clear-eyed, though: this program supplements the lost federal help rather than fully replacing it. As one state legislator put it, it will not do everything the expired federal credits did, but it is expected to make a real difference for a large number of Virginians.
Note: Virginia Premium Savings is funded through the state budget currently running through mid-2028. Funding beyond the 2027 plan year is not guaranteed, which is one more reason eligible residents should take advantage of it during this enrollment period.
Who Qualifies for the 2027 State Subsidy?
Virginia Premium Savings is generally available to eligible Marketplace consumers with household income from 138% to under 250% of the federal poverty level. For rough reference, that range works out to approximately $22,000 to $40,000 a year for a single person, and roughly $45,000 to $82,500 for a family of four, based on current federal poverty guidelines.
To qualify for the savings, you generally must:
- Have household income between 138% and under 250% of FPL
- Enroll in a non-catastrophic qualified health plan (QHP) through Virginia’s official Marketplace
- Be a Virginia resident who is eligible to buy Marketplace coverage
- Complete your enrollment during the open enrollment window described below
A few important clarifications:
- Below 138% FPL: Virginia is a Medicaid expansion state, so most adults with income under 138% of FPL are generally directed to Medicaid (Cardinal Care) rather than the Marketplace.
- Catastrophic plans do not qualify for Virginia Premium Savings. You must select a non-catastrophic metal-tier plan (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum) through the state Marketplace.
- First-come, first-served: Because the program is funded by a fixed $150 million pool, enrolling early in the window is the safest way to secure your savings.
In some situations, Virginia Premium Savings may be available even when an applicant cannot receive the federal Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC). Because these interactions depend on your specific circumstances, it is worth confirming your eligibility during the application process or with a licensed advisor.
How Virginia Premium Savings Works With Federal Tax Credits
This is the part that trips people up, so here is the simple version.
Federal help is applied first. Virginia Premium Savings is applied second, on top.
- When you apply through Virginia’s Marketplace, the system first determines whether you qualify for the federal Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC), the long-standing federal subsidy based on income.
- That federal credit is applied to lower your monthly premium.
- Then, if you fall in the 138% to under 250% FPL range and meet the other requirements, Virginia Premium Savings is layered on top, reducing your premium further.
The result is that eligible Virginians in that income band can see a substantially lower monthly premium than the federal credit alone would provide. When you shop on the state Marketplace, the combined savings are shown to you automatically during the application process, so you can see your real net premium before you choose a plan.
This “stacked” structure is what makes Virginia’s approach notable. Only a handful of states supplement federal subsidies with their own funds, and Virginia’s new program puts it among them for 2027.
Virginia’s 2027 Enrollment Deadlines
Virginia runs its own state-based Marketplace, which means it sets its own enrollment calendar, and it is longer than the federal HealthCare.gov window that many other states use. Here are the dates that matter for 2027 coverage:
| Milestone | Date |
| Open enrollment begins | November 1, 2026 |
| Deadline for coverage starting January 1, 2027 | December 15, 2026 |
| Open enrollment ends | January 29, 2027 |
| Coverage start if you enroll Dec 16 to Jan 29 | February 1, 2027 |
If you want your coverage and your Virginia Premium Savings to begin on January 1, 2027, enroll by December 15, 2026. If you enroll between December 16 and the January 29, 2027 final deadline, your coverage will typically begin February 1, 2027. After January 29, you can only enroll if you have a qualifying life event that opens a Special Enrollment Period.
Because Virginia Premium Savings is first-come, first-served against a fixed funding pool, the practical advice is simple: do not wait until late January. Enroll as early in the window as you reasonably can.
Where to Enroll: Marketplace.Virginia.gov
Here is a critical point that confuses many Virginians: Virginia no longer uses HealthCare.gov. Since 2023, Virginia has operated its own state-based exchange, and the official destination for all Virginia Marketplace enrollment and financial assistance is: Marketplace.Virginia.gov
This is the only place where you can apply for Virginia Premium Savings and federal financial assistance together. If you land on HealthCare.gov, you will be redirected, but going directly to the state Marketplace avoids confusion.
When you apply, have these documents ready for each adult who will be covered: Social Security numbers, your most recent tax return, recent pay stubs, and immigration documents if applicable. The state Marketplace also offers free help through certified navigators and licensed agents across the Commonwealth.
If you would like an independent, licensed advisor to walk you through your Virginia options and compare plans, AHiX can help at no cost. Start with our Virginia health insurance page, or call a licensed advisor at 800.800.5735.
What About 2027 Premium Increases?
You may have seen headlines about Virginia premiums rising for 2027. Here is the accurate, current picture.
Nine insurers plan to participate in Virginia’s individual market for 2027, and they have requested rate increases ranging from about 3.9% to 22.7%, with an average requested increase of about 16.7% over 2026 rates. Insurers cite the elimination of enhanced federal subsidies, market uncertainty, and rising hospital and pharmacy costs as the main drivers.
Important: these figures are proposed rates, not final approved rates. Virginia’s State Corporation Commission reviews insurer filings, and final approved premiums may differ from what was requested. We will update this guide when Virginia finalizes 2027 rates. Until then, treat 16.7% as a proposed average, not a confirmed premium change.
The encouraging context is that Virginia Premium Savings, the state’s existing reinsurance program (the Commonwealth Health Reinsurance Program, which has reduced rates roughly 15% or more below what they would otherwise be), and federal tax credits all work to offset these increases for eligible residents. In other words, the sticker-price increase and what you actually pay after assistance can be very different numbers, which is exactly why comparing your real net premium on the state Marketplace matters so much this year.
For a broader look at how 2027 rates are moving nationally, see our guide on private health insurance costs in 2026 and 2027.
What to Do Right Now
If you are a Virginia resident who buys your own health insurance, here is a simple action plan:
- Mark your calendar. Open enrollment runs November 1, 2026 to January 29, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for January 1 coverage.
- Estimate your 2027 household income. If it falls between 138% and under 250% of FPL, you are likely in range for Virginia Premium Savings.
- Plan to enroll early. The state subsidy is first-come, first-served against a fixed fund.
- Use the official Marketplace. Apply at Marketplace.Virginia.gov, the only place to get both federal and state assistance.
- Compare before you commit. Before enrolling, it helps to see how a subsidized Virginia Marketplace plan actually stacks up against private and short-term options for your situation. A licensed AHiX advisor can run that comparison with you for free, then point you to the right place to enroll, including Marketplace.Virginia.gov for state and federal assistance.
- Choose a non-catastrophic QHP to stay eligible for the savings, and compare your real net premium, not the sticker price, across plans.
If you had a marketplace plan and dropped it in 2026 because of cost, this is a strong reason to look again. Roughly 45% of Virginians who lost Marketplace coverage this year fall into the exact income band this program targets.
Not sure whether the subsidized Marketplace plan or a private plan is your best value? That is exactly the kind of question AHiX advisors answer every day. Call 800.800.5735 or start at AHiX, free, no pressure. If the state marketplace turns out to be your best path, we will tell you that too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Virginia Premium Savings?
Virginia Premium Savings is a new $150 million state-funded subsidy program for the 2027 plan year. It lowers monthly Marketplace premiums for eligible Virginia residents with household income from 138% to under 250% of the federal poverty level, and it is applied on top of any federal premium tax credit you qualify for. You must enroll through Virginia’s official Marketplace at Marketplace.Virginia.gov.
Who qualifies for Virginia Premium Savings in 2027?
Virginia residents with household income between 138% and under 250% of the federal poverty level who enroll in a non-catastrophic qualified health plan through Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace generally qualify. That income range is roughly $22,000 to $40,000 for a single person and about $45,000 to $82,500 for a family of four. In some cases the savings may be available even when a person cannot receive the federal Advance Premium Tax Credit.
When can I enroll for 2027 coverage in Virginia?
Open enrollment for Virginia’s Marketplace runs from November 1, 2026 through January 29, 2027. To have coverage start on January 1, 2027, enroll by December 15, 2026. If you enroll between December 16 and January 29, your coverage typically begins February 1, 2027. After January 29, you can only enroll with a qualifying life event.
How does Virginia Premium Savings work with federal subsidies?
Federal assistance is applied first. When you apply, the Marketplace determines your federal Advance Premium Tax Credit based on income and applies it to lower your premium. Then, if you are eligible, Virginia Premium Savings is layered on top to reduce your premium further. The combined savings are shown automatically when you shop for plans.
Do I still use HealthCare.gov in Virginia?
No. Virginia operates its own state-based Marketplace and no longer uses HealthCare.gov. The official site for enrollment and financial assistance, including Virginia Premium Savings, is Marketplace.Virginia.gov. If you go to HealthCare.gov, you will be redirected to the state Marketplace.
Are Virginia’s 2027 premium increases final?
No. As of September 2026, insurers have requested an average individual-market increase of about 16.7% for 2027, with a range of roughly 3.9% to 22.7%. These are proposed rates under review by the Virginia State Corporation Commission and are not final approved premiums. Final rates may differ, and eligible consumers can offset increases with federal tax credits and Virginia Premium Savings.
Do catastrophic plans qualify for Virginia Premium Savings?
No. To receive Virginia Premium Savings, you must enroll in a non-catastrophic qualified health plan (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum) through Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace. Catastrophic plans are not eligible for the state subsidy.
What if my income is below 138% of the federal poverty level?
Virginia is a Medicaid expansion state, so most adults with income under 138% of FPL are generally directed to Medicaid (Cardinal Care) rather than to Marketplace coverage with subsidies. When you apply at Marketplace.Virginia.gov, the system will help determine which program you qualify for.
