District of Columbia Health Insurance

District of Columbia has many health insurance companies that provide various levels of benefits and coverage. DOC residents will be able to compare plans and apply instantly online.

For a complete list of health insurance companies, view below. Learn about health insurance rules and regulations in the District of Columbia along with programs that are currently available to DOC residents.

Ready to compare District of Columbia health insurance options? Fill out the quote form below to view plans and start the process of finding health insurance.

Not a resident of the District of Columbia? Search health insurance by state here.

Resources on this page

Health Insurance Laws and Regulations in the District of Columbia

Public Health Insurance Programs for District of Columbia Residents

District of Columbia Health Insurance High Risk Pools

District of Columbia Health Insurance Companies

Contact Info for the District of Columbia Department of Insurance and Department of Health Services

District of Columbia Health Insurance Laws and Regulations

As you look for a District of Columbia health insurance plan, you're protected under certain state and federal laws.

Once you're accepted into a health plan, your insurance company can't cancel you coverage if you get sick or injured as long as you pay your premiums. This is called guaranteed renewability.

But District of Columbia health insurance companies do look at your health status before they accept your application. If you're turned down for coverage, CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield offers one plan where all applicants are accepted regardless of health status or pre-existing health conditions.

District of Columbia health insurance plans are also required to cover certain health care services under District of Columbia health insurance laws, such as:

• Care for pregnant women
• Screening for prostate, breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer
• Newborn health hearing screenings
• Vaccinations for children
• Equal coverage for mental and physical health conditions

If you recently left a group health plan with an employer and meet other requirements, you are protected under the federal law, HIPAA. This law prohibits District of Columbia health insurance companies from denying your application and restricting your coverage because of a pre-existing condition.

Top of Page

District of Columbia Public Health Insurance Programs

There are several public District of Columbia health insurance programs to help residents get coverage. They include:

• Medicaid
  The Medicaid program in the District of Columbia provides low-income and disabled residents free health insurance coverage. To learn more about Medicaid in the D.C. area, visit the Medical Assistance Administration online.


• DC Healthy Families
  This program provides health insurance for children, parents, and pregnant women who do not qualify for Medicaid. Find out more about DC Healthy Families here.


• DC HealthCare Alliance
  Certain health care providers in the District of Columbia provide free services to members of the DC HealthCare Alliance. Get more information about this District of Columbia health insurance program on their website.


• Project WISH
  This program offers free mammograms and cervical cancer screenings for low-income women in the D.C. area. To find out more about Project WISH, visit them online.


• District of Columbia Medicare
  Seniors looking for District of Columbia health insurance can get coverage through Medicare Advantage, Supplement and Original Medicare.

The Federal Health Coverage Tax Credit is also available to help early retirees and trade workers in the District of Columbia afford health insurance premiums. Learn more about this tax credit here.

Top of Page

District of Columbia Health Insurance High Risk Pools

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act established nationwide high risk pools to provide health insurance coverage for people with medical conditions.

The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) in District of Columbia will run similar to regular District of Columbia health insurance plans. Enrollees will be required to pay monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

District of Columbia residents with PCIP will pay around the same amount that an individual without a medical condition pays for health insurance. There will also be a deductible that must be met before coverage for health insurance benefits will start.

Individuals with medical conditions will have health insurance coverage for prescription drugs, doctor and hospital visits, emergency services and more.

District of Columbia residents are eligible if they are a United States citizen, have been without health insurance for six months and have a pre-existing condition.

For more information on the District of Columbia health insurance high risk pools visit http://www.healthcare.gov/index.html.

Top of Page

The following list of companies offer District of Columbia health insurance plans:

Top of Page

District of Columbia Department of Insurance and Department of Health Services

Find the contact information for the District of Columbia health insurance and health services departments at:

Go to Top of the District Of Columbia Health Insurance Page