Health insurance help for West Virginia residents
Compare Medicare, health insurance marketplace plans and Medicaid in West Virginia, with a guide for every county and each major city, reviewed by a licensed agent.
- Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed agent (NPN 21255551)
- No cost to call
- No obligation to enroll
What is different about coverage in West Virginia
Call (877) 716-1212 to reach the Bureau for Medical Services, the agency inside West Virginia's Department of Human Services that decides Medicaid eligibility, since coverage in this state splits between that office and the federal Marketplace for anyone shopping ACA plans. West Virginia Medical Insurance's phone help for West Virginia callers -- Medicare, ACA, life, or supplemental coverage -- costs nothing.
- Applications, renewals, and eligibility disputes for West Virginia Medicaid all route through the Bureau for Medical Services at (877) 716-1212.
- West Virginia hasn't built its own ACA exchange, so anyone comparing Marketplace plans or checking subsidy eligibility works through HealthCare.gov directly.
- For a no-cost second opinion on Medicare choices, WV SHIP counselors are reachable at (877) 987-4463, entirely apart from what West Virginia Medical Insurance offers by phone.
Worth knowing: West Virginia recently split its old, single Department of Health and Human Resources into three separate departments -- Health, Human Services, and Health Facilities -- so Medicaid's Bureau for Medical Services now sits under the Department of Human Services specifically, not the older combined agency name still seen on some websites.
Coverage questions we help West Virginia residents with
Health plans (ACA marketplace)
How West Virginia’s marketplace works, who qualifies for help with costs, and when you can enroll.
Medicare
Turning 65, Medicare Advantage, Medigap and drug plans, with West Virginia’s free counseling program.
Medicaid
Where to apply in West Virginia, and what to do when your coverage changes.
West Virginia by county
Medicare Advantage plans and marketplace premiums are set county by county, so the plans open to you depend on where in West Virginia you live. Start with your county.
Major West Virginia cities
West Virginia colleges and universities
- West Virginia University
- Marshall University
- West Virginia State University
- Fairmont State University
- Shepherd University
State bird: Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis. West Virginia’s official state bird, shown here as a local touch.
Photo: Rhododendrites (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia CommonsCommon West Virginia questions
Where do I shop for ACA health plans in West Virginia?
West Virginia residents shop through HealthCare.gov (federal Marketplace) (https://www.healthcare.gov/west-virginia/). An independent agent such as Lander LLC can explain the plans for you, but the marketplace is the only place premium tax credits are applied.
How do I apply for Medicaid in West Virginia?
Medicaid in West Virginia is run through West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Medical Services (https://bms.wv.gov). Eligibility depends on income, household size and other factors, and it is decided by the state, not by an insurance agency.
Who regulates insurance in West Virginia?
West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner (https://www.wvinsurance.gov) regulates insurance companies and agents in West Virginia. You can use it to check that an agent or company is licensed and to file a complaint.
Is there free, unbiased Medicare help in West Virginia?
Yes. West Virginia SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) ((877) 987-4463) offers free Medicare counseling through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), separate from any insurance agency.
Does West Virginia Medical Insurance cost anything to use?
There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent. Insurance premiums and plan costs are set by the insurance companies and are separate from our help.
Talk with a licensed agent about West Virginia coverage
Call Lander LLC to go over your options. There is no cost to call or to speak with an agent, and you are never required to enroll in anything.
Call 855-367-1095Reviewed by Richard Lander, licensed insurance agent (NPN 21255551), Lander LLC. Last updated October 3, 2026. This page is educational and is not a quote, an offer of coverage, or legal or tax advice.