Health Insurance in District of Columbia, DC — 2026 Plans & Premiums
27 ACA marketplace plans are available in District of Columbia, DC, from 3 insurers. The cheapest plan starts at $223.07/month before subsidies.
27
Plans Available
$223.07
Cheapest Plan/mo
3
Insurers
DC Health Link
Exchange
Insurers Serving District of Columbia
Plans Available in District of Columbia
Sorted by monthly premium · 30-year-old · Before subsidies
CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc. BlueChoice HMO young adult 10600 Virtual Connect Plus
CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc.
$223.07/mo
Ded: $10,600
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc. KP DC Catastrophic 10600 Ded/Vision
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc.
$301.45/mo
Ded: $10,600
CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc. BlueChoice HMO HSA Bronze 6350
CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc.
$403.75/mo
Ded: $6,350
CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc. BlueChoice HMO Essential Bronze 7500
CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc.
$420.81/mo
Ded: $7,500
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc. KP DC Bronze 6350 Ded/HSA/Vision
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc.
$430.71/mo
Ded: $6,350
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc. KP DC Bronze 6500 Ded/Vision
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc.
$435.39/mo
Ded: $6,500
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc. KP DC Essential Bronze 7500 Ded/1000 RxDed
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc.
$443.92/mo
Ded: $7,500
GHMSI BluePreferred PPO HSA Bronze 6350
GHMSI
$450.11/mo
Ded: $6,350
Average Premiums in District of Columbia
Avg Bronze Plan
$434/mo
7 plans
Avg Silver (Subsidy Benchmark)
$494/mo
Eligible for CSR cost reductions
All Counties in District of Columbia
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Compare plansFrequently asked questions about ACA insurance in District of Columbia
What is the health insurance marketplace in District of Columbia?
The District of Columbia (DC) health insurance marketplace is DC Health Link (https://www.dchealthlink.com/), a state-based ACA exchange where residents compare and enroll in qualified health plans. Policymage lists 27 plans with live premium data. Open Enrollment runs November 1 through January 31.
How do I compare health insurance plans in District of Columbia?
Use policymage.com/get-quotes: enter your ZIP code, household ages, and income. Policymage fetches ACA Marketplace plans for your county, calculates APTC subsidies, and lets you compare up to 3 plans side-by-side on premium, deductible, network, and benefits. Free, no account, no broker bias. Plans in District of Columbia start from $223.07/month before subsidies.
Which Medicaid plan is best in District of Columbia?
There is no single "best" Medicaid plan in District of Columbia — Medicaid is administered through MCOs such as CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Kaiser Permanente. The right plan depends on your county, doctors, and prescriptions. Medicaid (income up to 138% FPL, ~$21,597/year for an individual) is separate from ACA Marketplace plans at DC Health Link. Apply year-round through your state Medicaid office.
Is short-term health insurance available in District of Columbia?
Short-term health insurance is sold outside the ACA Marketplace in District of Columbia by private insurers. These plans are not ACA-compliant: they can exclude pre-existing conditions, skip Essential Health Benefits, and lack guaranteed renewal. For comprehensive coverage with subsidies, enroll in an ACA Marketplace plan at DC Health Link during Open Enrollment (Nov 1–January 31). See policymage.com/faq for more on short-term vs ACA plans.
How much is health insurance in Washington, D.C.?
Health insurance in Washington, D.C. starts as low as $223.07/month for a 30-year-old on a Bronze plan before subsidies. Most District of Columbia residents who qualify for APTC pay significantly less — some as low as $0/month for a Silver plan.
What is the cheapest health insurance option in Washington, D.C. for 2026?
The cheapest ACA option in Washington, D.C. for 2026 is typically a Bronze-tier plan or, for residents under 30, a catastrophic plan — both carry the lowest monthly premium in exchange for a higher deductible. Compare exact District of Columbia plans and prices at policymage.com/get-quotes.
When does Open Enrollment end in District of Columbia for ACA plans?
Open Enrollment for District of Columbia residents runs from November 1 through January 31. District of Columbia runs its own exchange (DC Health Link), which set the January 31 deadline. Outside Open Enrollment, you need a Qualifying Life Event to enroll in a Special Enrollment Period.
How much does ACA health insurance cost in District of Columbia?
Bronze-tier plans in District of Columbia start as low as $223.07/month for a 30-year-old before subsidies. With APTC tax credits, many District of Columbia residents pay $0–$50/month for Bronze coverage. Costs vary by age, county, tobacco use, and household size.
Does District of Columbia use HealthCare.gov or its own state exchange?
District of Columbia runs its own state-based Marketplace called DC Health Link (https://www.dchealthlink.com/). You enroll there directly — not at HealthCare.gov. Plan offerings, enrollment dates, and customer support are managed by District of Columbia, not the federal government.
Has District of Columbia expanded Medicaid under the ACA?
Yes. District of Columbia has expanded Medicaid, so adults with household income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (approximately $21,597/year for an individual) qualify for free or very low-cost Medicaid. There's no Open Enrollment window — you can apply year-round.
What are the income limits for ACA subsidies in District of Columbia?
Premium Tax Credit eligibility starts at 100% of the Federal Poverty Level — about $15,650/year for an individual or $32,300/year for a family of 4. District of Columbia residents above 400% FPL still qualify if benchmark Silver costs more than 8.5% of their income. Use the DC Health Link subsidy calculator for your exact estimate.
What are the metal tiers in District of Columbia (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum)?
District of Columbia ACA plans come in four metal tiers based on actuarial value (the percentage of medical costs the plan covers on average): Bronze (~60%), Silver (~70%), Gold (~80%), and Platinum (~90%). Bronze has the lowest premium and highest deductible; Platinum has the highest premium and lowest deductible. Silver is the "benchmark" tier used to calculate APTC subsidies, and it's the only tier eligible for Cost-Sharing Reductions if you qualify by income.
Are HSA-eligible plans available in District of Columbia?
Yes. HSA-eligible High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) are available in District of Columbia through DC Health Link. For 2026, HDHPs must have a deductible of at least $1,650 (individual) or $3,300 (family), and you can contribute up to $4,300 (individual) or $8,550 (family) to your HSA pre-tax. HSA contributions roll over year-to-year and can be invested.
Do District of Columbia ACA plans cover dental and vision?
District of Columbia ACA Marketplace plans for adults include preventive care, mental health, prescriptions, hospitalization, and the 10 Essential Health Benefits — but adult dental and vision are not federally required. Most District of Columbia plans cover pediatric dental and vision automatically. For adult dental/vision, you typically buy a separate standalone plan through DC Health Link or directly from an insurer.
What is a Qualifying Life Event for Special Enrollment in District of Columbia?
Outside Open Enrollment, District of Columbia residents can enroll in or change ACA plans within 60 days of a Qualifying Life Event: loss of other health coverage, marriage or divorce, birth or adoption of a child, moving to a new county or state, a change in income that affects subsidy eligibility, becoming a US citizen, or release from incarceration. Have documentation ready when applying through DC Health Link.
How do I find in-network doctors and hospitals in District of Columbia?
Each District of Columbia ACA plan has its own provider network. Before enrolling, look up the plan on DC Health Link, click the carrier name to access their provider directory, and search for your specific doctors and preferred hospitals by name. Out-of-network care typically isn't covered (HMO plans) or costs significantly more (PPO plans). If you have an existing provider relationship, network match is usually more important than the lowest premium.
Find the Right Plan in District of Columbia
Enter your ZIP code, age, and income to see all plans available to you — with your actual subsidy applied, or see how District of Columbia compares to the District of Columbia state average.
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