By Southwester Staff
Eligible DC residents can sign up for affordable health insurance at DCHealthLink.com, the District’s online health insurance marketplace, during the open enrollment period for individuals and families through January 31, 2024.
This year, there are 27 private insurance options available from CareFirst BCBS and Kaiser Permanente for individuals and families on any budget. Additionally, DC residents will see greater savings—estimated at almost $36 million dollars—following investments from the Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022.
“Our goal is to help every single resident get covered and stay covered, while at the same time always advocating for the best possible options at the best rates for our customers,” DC Healthcare Benefit Exchange Authority Executive Director Mila Kofman said in a press release. “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act customers will see reduced premiums—even as low as $13 per month.”
DC Health Link is the District’s state-based health insurance exchange established under the Affordable Care Act and managed by the DC Healthcare Benefit Exchange Authority (DCHBX). Since 2013, DC Health Link has helped hundreds of thousands of DC residents access affordable healthcare plans, reducing the number of uninsured residents by over 50% and ranking the District of Columbia with the second-lowest uninsured rate in the nation. During this time, DC Health Link plans have saved DC residents millions in healthcare costs.
Eligible District residents can enroll in a health insurance plan online through DCHealthLink.com, or by calling 855-532-LINK [5465]. Some residents will qualify for reduced premiums. Eligible residents who enroll on or before December 15, 2023, will have their coverage effective January 1, 2024. After that date, plan selections made by the 15th of each month during Open Enrollment will be effective on the first day of the following month. Small businesses – as well as individuals and families eligible for Medicaid – can enroll through DCHealthLink.com throughout the year.
Residents can also get assistance with enrolling by using the Virtual One Touch Enrollment Center. Individuals can schedule a virtual appointment at dconetouch.setmore.com or by calling 1-855-532-5465. During the virtual appointment, residents will receive free expert enrollment support, ID proofing and verification services, case management assistance, and multilingual translation services (Spanish, Amharic, French, Mandarin, Korean, and Chinese).
In-person enrollment at storefront enrollment centers is available with support from certified and trained assisters and licensed health insurance brokers who will help residents navigate the enrollment process and select from various health insurance plans. Residents can find and contact enrollment centers near them by visiting dchealthlink.com/enrollmentcenters.