Private PPO Health Insurance in Virginia
Virginia stretches from Northern Virginia and Richmond to Hampton Roads, Roanoke and the Shenandoah Valley. Government contractors, consultants and small business owners across the state often buy their own coverage between contracts or jobs.
This guide covers how private PPO plans work in Virginia, example estimates from our quote tool, Virginia’s continuation rule for small employer plans, and how to confirm an agent is licensed.
Who shops for private coverage in Virginia
How a private PPO plan works
A PPO (preferred provider organization) plan has a network of providers who agree to set prices. You can usually see in-network providers without a referral, and some PPO plans also pay part of the cost outside the network. Four numbers decide what a plan really costs you:
- Premium: what you pay every month to keep the plan.
- Deductible: what you pay for covered services before the plan starts sharing costs. Some private plans offer $0 deductible options; others trade a higher deductible for a lower premium.
- Copays and coinsurance: your share of each covered service after the deductible.
- Out-of-pocket maximum: the most you pay for covered in-network services in a plan year.
Private plans are offered by insurance carriers, and benefits vary by plan. Applications can include questions about your household and history, so approval is not guaranteed, and some plans limit what they cover based on your answers. Always read the plan documents before you enroll. More detail: how PPO networks work and deductibles, copays and out-of-pocket maximums explained.
Contract work in Northern Virginia
If your work comes in contracts, a plan you own stays in place when a contract ends, as long as premiums are paid. That can make the gap between contracts much simpler.
Regional networks
If you live in one region and work or travel in another, for example Northern Virginia and Richmond, check providers in both before you apply.
What affects the price of a plan in Virginia
Your monthly price depends mainly on the ages of the people covered, the number of people on the plan, where you live, tobacco use, the plan design you pick (deductible and out-of-pocket maximum) and the carrier's underwriting.
| Household | Estimated monthly range |
|---|---|
| One adult, age 30 | $191 to $235 |
| One adult, age 45 | $209 to $256 |
| Two adults age 40 and one child age 9 | $425 to $516 |
These are example estimates from our quote tool, not offers. They assume non-tobacco use and do not include add-ons. Your actual rate depends on your age, household, plan choice and underwriting, and can be higher or lower. Get an estimate for your household.
Leaving a job-based plan in Virginia
When you leave a job in Virginia, compare federal COBRA or Virginia continuation with a private plan of your own.
| Option | How it works |
|---|---|
| Federal COBRA | Employers with 20 or more employees. Usually up to 18 months for the employee, at up to 102% of the plan premium. You generally have at least 60 days to elect. |
| Virginia state continuation (Va. Code 38.2-3541) | Group plans not subject to federal COBRA. Up to 12 months. You must have been covered for the 3 months before. Apply and pay within 31 days of the written notice, and no later than 60 days after coverage ends. Premium is the group rate plus up to 2%. |
| Private individual plan | Your own plan, not tied to any employer. Price and approval depend on the carrier and underwriting. Many private plans accept applications year round. |
The employer must send the Virginia continuation notice within 14 days of learning you lost eligibility. Compare the continuation premium with a private plan estimate as soon as it arrives.
More on this: leaving a job-based plan and COBRA vs a private plan.
Taxes for the self-employed
If you are self-employed and not eligible to join a plan offered by your own or your spouse's employer, you may be able to deduct health insurance premiums for yourself, your spouse and your dependents on your federal return (IRS Form 7206). Virginia has a state income tax. Ask your tax preparer how the federal self-employed deduction carries into your Virginia return. See the self-employed health insurance deduction.
Check the license, know the regulator
Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance. The Bureau of Insurance, part of the State Corporation Commission, licenses agents and insurance companies in Virginia and handles consumer questions and complaints. You can look up an agent license through the SCC.
Virginia health insurance questions
How long does Virginia state continuation last?
What does Virginia continuation cost?
Are the prices on this page what I will pay?
How do I check that an agent is licensed in Virginia?
Sources
- Code of Virginia 38.2-3541 (continuation)
- Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance
- U.S. Department of Labor: COBRA continuation coverage
General information, not legal or tax advice. Plan availability, benefits and prices vary by carrier and are subject to underwriting. Last reviewed November 2026.
Other state guides: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin. All 31 states.
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