How do I enroll on Virginia's Insurance Marketplace?

Live in Virginia? Virginia runs its own health insurance marketplace, so you'll enroll at Marketplace.Virginia.gov, not HealthCare.gov. Here's how to enroll step by step, and how to get your StretchDollar reimbursements started once you're covered.

Good to know: you don't have to buy through the Marketplace. Any individual health plan qualifies, on or off the Marketplace, including plans on the Shop page of your StretchDollar portal.

How to enroll on Virginia's Insurance Marketplace

1. Create your account. Go to Get Covered and set up a login with your email. Save your username and password.
2. Start a new application. Add everyone in your tax household, even people who won't need coverage.
3. Report your ICHRA offer. When the application asks about job-based coverage or an HRA, answer yes. Enter your employer's details and your monthly ICHRA allowance exactly as shown on your notice.
4. Select your qualifying life event. If you're enrolling outside Open Enrollment, choose gain of employer-sponsored HRA and enter your ICHRA start date. Upload proof if you're asked to.
5. Review your eligibility results. Most people with an ICHRA won't qualify for a premium tax credit. See the next section for why.
6. Compare plans. Filter by metal level, network and estimated yearly cost, and check that your doctors and prescriptions are covered. Want to preview prices first? Try the Plan Comparison Tool.
7. Choose your plan and confirm. Make sure the plan's start date matches your ICHRA start date.
8. Pay your first premium to the insurance company. Payment goes to the carrier, not the Marketplace, and your coverage isn't active until it's paid.

Prefer some help? A Virginia certified agent or certified assister can walk you through enrollment at no cost.

ICHRA or premium tax credit: you pick one

For any month, you can use your ICHRA allowance or a premium tax credit, never both. Which one is open to you depends on whether your ICHRA counts as "affordable."

How affordability is checked: take the monthly premium for the lowest-cost Silver plan for just you in your area, and subtract your monthly ICHRA allowance. If what's left is less than a set share of your household income (9.96% for 2026), your ICHRA is affordable. The Marketplace runs this check for you when you report your ICHRA.

• Opting out means waiving your StretchDollar benefit. Do it before your ICHRA starts, and usually no more than once per plan year. See How do I change my benefit selection?
• Don't claim both. Taking advance tax credits while you're being reimbursed by your ICHRA can mean paying the credit back at tax time.

After you enroll: get your reimbursements started

1. Pay your first premium by the carrier's due date. If it isn't paid, the plan never takes effect.
2. Enroll in Auto-Reimbursements. In your StretchDollar portal, click Auto-Reimbursements in the left menu and upload your proof of coverage, such as the carrier's confirmation letter with payment details or a premium invoice showing your name. You only need to do this once. After your admin approves it, your reimbursement is paid each month. See What are Auto-Premium Reimbursements? How do I enroll?
3. Keep confirming your coverage. Your employer may ask you to confirm each plan year (and sometimes each month) that you still have individual coverage.
4. Report changes to both the Marketplace and StretchDollar: a new plan, a move, a new household member, or cancelled coverage.

FAQ

Do I have to buy through the Marketplace?

No. Any individual health plan qualifies, on or off the Marketplace. The Marketplace is the only place to get a premium tax credit if you opt out of an unaffordable ICHRA.

Can I buy dental or vision with my allowance?

Only if your employer's ICHRA allows it. Adult dental and vision aren't included in most Marketplace health plans, but stand-alone dental plans are sold on the Marketplace.

What if the plan I want costs more than my allowance?

You pay the difference. Ask your employer whether off-Marketplace premiums can be paid pre-tax through payroll.

Can I change plans later?

Only during Open Enrollment, or after another qualifying life event (a Special Enrollment Period). See What is a qualifying life event (QLE)?

Where to get help

Sources: Virginia's Insurance Marketplace FAQs and Special Enrollment Periods.