DMAS says Virginia launched Cardinal Care Managed Care on July 1, 2025, with five Medicaid health plans serving 1.4 million Virginians and emphasizing member-centered care.
Cardinal Care Managed Care begins
The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) announced on July 1, 2025, that Virginia had launched its new Cardinal Care Managed Care program. DMAS said the program serves Virginians who are eligible for Medicaid and is intended to modernize health care delivery and enhance care and support for people served by the program.
According to DMAS, the launch was announced by Governor Glenn Youngkin and the department. The department described Cardinal Care Managed Care as the largest Medicaid health program launch in Virginia’s history.
Five Medicaid health plans
DMAS said five health plans began serving Virginians eligible for Medicaid on July 1, 2025: Aetna Better Health of Virginia, Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, Humana Healthy Horizons of Virginia, Sentara Health Plans, and UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc.
The DMAS release identified Humana Healthy Horizons of Virginia as new. It also said Cardinal Care Managed Care includes a foster care specialty plan administered by Anthem HealthKeepers Plus.
Program scope and stated goals
DMAS said that, as of July 1, 2025, the five plans served 1.4 million Virginians in Medicaid. The department also described the program as affecting 1.4 million lives across the Commonwealth.
According to DMAS, the plans are intended to enhance individual and population wellness and health outcomes, create a personalized care experience, support providers and health systems in delivering care, and improve care for people with complex needs and community services. DMAS also said the program would upgrade the platform for service delivery.
The department said the initiative aligns with the Governor’s goal of ensuring that vulnerable populations receive high-quality health care coverage. DMAS described the new contracts as focusing on the health and well-being of vulnerable Virginians.
What this means for Virginia patients
DMAS’s announcement describes a change in Virginia Medicaid managed care options, with five participating plans and a foster care specialty plan. For people looking for treatment locally, the directory lists 79 published clinics in Virginia; coverage and available services may depend on an individual’s Medicaid plan and care arrangements.
This is general information, not medical advice.
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This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.