DC Medicaid

DC Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage for children, pregnant people, parents, older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income adults. The District expanded Medicaid to cover adults ages 21 to 64 without dependent children, so apply even if you were turned down years ago. Apply online at districtdirect.dc.gov or by phone at (202) 727-5355.

There is no in-person interview requirement. It can take up to 45 days to hear back, or up to 60 days if you are disabled. Each eligibility group has its own pathway, so a denial for one person in your home does not decide the others. You renew your eligibility each year to keep coverage.

Most people who are approved enroll in a managed care plan. The DC Healthy Families managed care plans are AmeriHealth Caritas DC, MedStar Family Choice DC, and Wellpoint DC. You pick one when you enroll.

The coverage is broad. Covered services include doctor visits, hospital care, dental and vision care, prescription drugs, mental health services, lab and radiology, medically necessary transportation, durable medical equipment, and home and community based services.

There are a couple of rules to follow. You must report any other health insurance to the Department of Health Care Finance and assign your rights to medical payments from any source to DHCF as a condition of eligibility. If you think a provider billed for services you did not get or is charging you for a covered service, you can report it to DHCF at 1-877-632-2873.

If you are not eligible for Medicaid because of your immigration status, the locally funded DC Health Care Alliance may cover you instead. While your application is processing, dial 2-1-1 to find a community health center.