Washington, DC
Mayor Bowser Encourages DC Residents to Get Covered During 2021 Open Enrollment Period
(Washington, DC) – Mayor Muriel Bowser is encouraging DC residents to sign-up for high-quality, affordable health insurance at DCHealthLink.com, the District’s online state-based health insurance marketplace established under the Affordable Care Act. Open enrollment for District residents runs through January 31, 2021. For coverage to be effective January 1, 2021, residents must enroll by December 15, 2020.
“The pandemic has shown us how important it is to have health care coverage, and there is no better time to enroll in a plan that is right for you and your family,” said Mayor Bowser. “We’re proud that DC Health Link has been a model for ensuring District residents have access to quality, affordable health insurance.”
For 2021, there are 25 private health insurance options from CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield and Kaiser Permanente for residents to fit all budgets – 15 of the available 25 health plans will have lower premiums than in 2020. Additionally, DC Health Link’s standard plans at all metal levels (except Health Savings Account plans) cover many services like primary care, specialists, mental health, urgent care, and generic prescriptions without any deductibles. All DC Health Link health plans cover COVID-19 diagnosis, testing, and treatment without deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
Washington, DC has the second lowest uninsured rate among all states in the nation, with nearly 97% of District residents covered. To date in 2020, DC Health Link has provided health insurance to more than 20,000 residents through the individual marketplace. Currently, individual marketplace enrollment is up more than 7% compared to one year ago. Since opening for business in 2013, DC Health Link has helped cut the District’s uninsured rate in half.
For residents like Jennifer, DC Health Link makes it possible for her to have career independence and give her the peace of mind that comes with quality affordable health insurance coverage. Jennifer also knows first-hand how DC Health Link coverage can save her from financial hardship. “Not long after first enrolling in an individual health plan through DC Health Link, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer,” said Jennifer. “Without this quality coverage, I would have been responsible for medical costs for surgery and treatment that exceeded $25,000. DC Health Link enables people like me to pursue non-traditional career paths with the knowledge that they can receive the same kind of medical coverage as their peers who have jobs that include health insurance.”
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. Residents who enroll on or before December 15, 2020 will have their coverage start January 1, 2021. 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.