What Individuals are Saying About
DC Health Link
DC Health Link has made my life significantly easier. In 2013, I was paying high premiums to get health insurance through COBRA. After DC Health Link launched, I got in touch with a health insurance broker, who got me signed up for coverage quickly. The coverage I have now is great and I have outstanding doctors. I save $250 every month, and I have a lower deductible than I did through my former employers plan. The monthly savings I receive gives my wife and me more flexibility. We can use that money to pay for other expenses or put some of it away in savings. Every little bit helps.
John S
Cyber Security Consultant
When I returned from living abroad, my insurance company refused to cover a pre-existing condition that I had lived with for years. Even though I had lived in a country with national health insurance and I had always been covered in the U.S. before that, I was told that this coverage didn't count and would need to do an 18-month waiting period before they would cover my condition. As a result, I had to pay a lot of money out-of-pocket to cover my prescriptions. All of that has changed since I signed up for health insurance through DC Health Link. I now have great coverage at a great price. My new doctor is a leading specialist in his field, and I couldnt be happier with the care Im receiving. Getting the coverage I have has made a night and day difference in my life. Thanks to DC Health Link for an absolutely great job!
Myles H
Graduate Student
For years, I had wanted to take the leap in my career and become an educational consultant and be my own boss. However, as a single woman, I would have to give up my health benefits because I just didnt have the option of going on a spouses health plan. When DC Health Link opened, I went on their website and researched plans. I found a plan with better coverage than I had before, and I would pay less out-of-pocket and spend less time at the doctors office. Because I was able to get affordable health coverage through DC Health Link, I had the flexibility to leave my job and pursue my career goals on the terms I want. DC Health Link has made a big difference in my life because I now have the independence to do what I love doing.
Alka P
Education Consultant
Living on a budget, I thought health insurance was an expense I could do without. For almost 2 years, I went without coverage and would pray that nothing major happened. Getting covered on my own seemed like a daunting task. However, once DC Health Link came along, I knew I had to take ownership of my health and get covered. I called the contact center, they referred me to two insurance brokers, and I was able to get signed up within a day. The next month I had my first doctors appointment and it felt great to hear directly from my doctor that I was healthy.
Wordna W
Nonprofit Advisor
Every smile that I see at Ice Cream Jubilee, every new flavor or sundae we create, every new employee that I welcome to our team, is possible, in part, because DC Health Link made enrolling in quality health care coverage convenient and affordable for me. DC Health Link gave me the independence to become an entrepreneur and the peace of mind to focus on my business. I hope that my experience in business and with DC Health Link can encourage people to explore the pursuits that make them as happy as ice cream makes me.
Victoria L
Owner, Ice Cream Jubilee
Getting coverage through DC Health Link has been a life-changing event for me. Between the struggle of not being able to compete in races and fighting denials of health coverage and care just because I'm transgender, the last several years were extremely difficult. But now I have coverage that respects who I am and meets all my needs ? and that would not have been possible without DC Health Link.
Kellan B
Triathlete
In 2014, I was facing the prospect of working without health insurance. It was an anxious feeling to say the least. I had heard a lot about DC Health Link so during the first Open Enrollment a friend and I decided to go to a #GetCovered event at Howard University Hospital. The assister at the event walked us through the enrollment process and I was able to select a plan and enroll. Getting covered gave me peace of mind and allowed me to take responsibility for myself. I tell all my friends in a similar situation to get signed up and use your coverage to stay healthy. It's good citizenship.
Jason M
Bicycle Enthusiast
Making the switch to self-employment was less scary once I knew I could get great coverage through DC Health Link, and I have been extremely pleased with my plan. I found out that I will qualify for tax credits through DC Health Link’s website, and my monthly premiums went down for 2017! Not only do I have quality, affordable insurance and I can continue to see the doctors I want, but I’m now my own boss and I get to set my work schedule. I can’t imagine a better scenario, and DC Health Link helped make it all possible.
Alex R
School Entrepreneur
In 2015, I was employed full-time at a job with excellent benefits. A number of previous partners and clients began approaching me to take on some contract work, which I did in addition to my full-time job. I was soon faced with a decision about my career as to whether I should make the intimidating jump into starting my own business and leaving my job along with its benefits. I ultimately made the choice to strike out on my own, and I am happier and more fulfilled because I can pick and choose the projects I want to work on and set my own schedule. On top of that, my income has increased. As happy as I am now with my decision, I don’t think I would have made it without DC Health Link, which took the uncertainty out of my choice. Knowing that I would have access to quality, affordable health insurance—even as a young, healthy, working professional—gave me the confidence to leave my job and pursue my career on my own terms. It also meant that I didn’t have to make other big, important decisions—like marrying my long-term partner—just for the sake of health insurance. I would not have had these options if not for the Affordable Care Act, and I am incredibly grateful that I never had to compromise my career or life choices because I got excellent coverage through DC Health Link.
Katie K
Health Care Consultant
I was coping with a set of terrifying diagnoses and the complete collapse of my personal universe when DC Health Link was launching in 2013. I was desperate -- seriously ill, alone, and confused. DC Health Link took care of everything, making it incredibly easy for me to sign up and get everything taken care of. When there were issues or questions, DC Health Link repeatedly took care of them - and me - with the minimal amount of effort on my part. Words can’t express how much I needed such calm "taking care of business" attitudes and how grateful I am for the DC Health Link team.
Debbie A
Entrepreneurial Consultant
As someone with a pre-existing condition, I have always had to make decisions based on maintaining access to medication and care. Knowing that I would have access to quality health insurance that I could afford through DC Health Link gave me peace of mind and the motivation to stay in DC after graduating Georgetown to pursue a career in a competitive job market. When I was able to land a position with a startup think tank that is working towards offering its employees health coverage, I knew that I could take the job because I would have access to the coverage I needed. This was a huge relief and allowed me to get my foot in the door in my field. Not having to make decisions based on whether I will be able to receive affordable and accessible treatment for my pre-existing condition is extremely freeing and life-altering! I have had nothing but the best experience with DC Health Link since I enrolled. I also know that if an emergency arises, I won't be left without options or bankrupted. Having coverage through DC Health Link helps me to focus on all the REST of the very exciting things in my life. Thank you DC Health Link!
Anna B
Program Associate
I have been a proud participant in DC Health Link since it first launched. I have been very happy with the service I have received and the coverage options that have been available. My premiums are slightly less than what I had on a previous individual plan and my coverage is much better (thanks in part to the essential services provision from the ACA). As someone who is self-employed, I am very grateful to have a way to obtain comprehensive medical coverage. I was especially grateful for my DC Health Link plan in late 2016 when I was unexpectedly faced with a potential cancer diagnosis. Thanks to the ACA, I got the consultations and scans needed to identify the issue and the surgery required to treat my condition, which was luckily not malignant. Following recovery from surgery, I was able to return to living a productive and enriching life. Without insurance, the medical costs for this one event would have completely wiped me out, requiring more money than I have in savings and retirement accounts or can feasibly make in well over a year. That was prevented thanks to my ACA health plan and DC Health Link.
Tracy C
Scientific Communications Consultant
Since I completed my PhD, I have held a number of different fellowships and term positions. Without DC Health Link, I would not have been able to pursue the path I have. From its easy-to-use Plan Match tool to its team members who have never failed to answer my questions, I could not be more satisfied with and appreciative of DC Health Link.
Jennifer W
Consultant
When I lost my job, I was concerned about getting health insurance. I wondered how easy it would be to sign up for it and how much it would cost. But using the DC Health Link was a breeze. It was easy to navigate through the site. I was surprised at the number of plans offered and the wide range in costs of the plans. It was easy to pick something that fit my budget. The thing that I really liked about the site was the ability to search by doctor’s name. I was able to look up my current doctors and find out what plans they accepted. This allowed me to choose a plan that all of my different doctors accepted. So I was able to pick an affordable plan and keep all of my doctors. Using DC Health Link worked out just great for me.
Jason P
Consultant
For nearly 20 years, I always got my insurance through my employers. Then, in 2016, I decided to follow my wife’s lead and start my own business as a communications and marketing consultant. When she and I were weighing the decision to both be self-employed, the biggest question was how we were going to get our family of four covered. DCHealthLink.com made it an easy choice. The site was easy to shop, the process was straightforward, and I found the rates to be competitive for coverage comparable to what my family was used to. By being able to afford quality insurance through DC Health Link, I can now chaperone my son's field trip or enjoy a kid-free lunch in the neighborhood with my wife, because I have more control over my schedule. The ability to be involved in my children's school and activities, while working alongside my wife, is a fantastic benefit that comes with career flexibility—and DC Health Link helps make it possible.
Massie R
Communications Consultant
In 2014, I launched my marketing consulting business, and I was finally happy and successful doing what I loved. However, as someone with a number of pre-existing conditions, my ability to afford health insurance was critical to keeping my professional dream alive. Unfortunately, after three years of living and running my freelance business in Arlington, VA, the cost of health insurance through the national exchange became untenable. I had to make the choice to either give up my business and get a full-time job or move. Luckily, I looked across the river and saw if I moved to DC, the cost of my health insurance premium would go down without sacrificing the quality of care. In fact, I got to keep my doctors! Not only did I decide to move to DC, but I made the District the place where I bought my first home. DC Health Link helped make this possible and keep my professional dreams alive.
Lisa K
Marketing Consultant
Growing up, I knew that I wanted to try to be my own boss someday. However, as a woman with some chronic health conditions, my only health insurance options before the ACA were overpriced policies that didn’t cover many of my health care needs. That changed when the ACA became law and DC Health Link opened for business. When I relocated back to DC and set up my consulting business here in early 2016, I knew I could afford comprehensive health insurance that would let me take care of all my health care needs and still be able to start up a new business. I’ve now been able to fulfill a lifelong dream of self-employment, one that literally would not have been possible without DC Health Link.
Rebecca B
Health Policy Consultant
DC Health Link ensured I was able to find quality, affordable health care coverage so that I could confidently launch my consulting firm Smart As A Fox LLC. The Affordable Care Act and DC Health Link made it easy for me to find a plan and get covered, which allowed me to focus on growing my business. That focus is especially important for a freelance consultant, because my income is not always consistent. It’s crucial that basic physical and mental health care continue to be accessible and affordable. Thanks to affordable coverage through DC Health Link, independent consultants like me can build our businesses and continue to thrive in the District of Columbia.