DC Health Link Special Enrollment Period for Loss of Employer Health Coverage

If you are a DC resident who lost (or will lose) your employer health coverage, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in a DC Health Link private health insurance plan.

You Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if:
  • You’re a DC resident — or a dependent of a DC resident (e.g. spouse, domestic partner, or child) — who lost employer health coverage in the past 60 days OR will lose coverage in the next 60 days.
COBRA or Temporary Continuation Coverage
  • If you enroll in COBRA or other continuation coverage, you do NOT qualify for a DC Health Link Special Enrollment Period.
  • You must wait until your COBRA or other continuation coverage ends, or DC Health Link’s open enrollment period which is from November 1-January 31.
Deadline

You can apply for DC Health Link health insurance as early as 60 days before and up to 60 days after you lose your employer health coverage.

To avoid a gap in health coverage:

  • Know when your employer health coverage ends: Contact your employer or HR department to confirm the exact date your coverage ends.
  • Gather your information and documents: Use our application checklist to collect the information and documents you’ll need to complete your application.
  • DC Health Link Plans: Use DC Health Link’s Plan Match tool to see if you qualify for lower premiums, compare plan features and benefits, and find a plan that meets your budget and needs.
  • Enroll before your employer health coverage ends: This helps you avoid a gap in coverage.
Important: Your last chance to enroll in coverage on DC Health Link is 60 days after you lose your employer health coverage.
Coverage Start Dates

Your plan start date depends on when you select a plan:

You Select a Plan… Plan Start Date
Before your health coverage ends 1st day of the month after your employer health coverage ends
After your health coverage ends 1st day of the following month

Example:

My employer health coverage ends on March 31, 2025. When can I enroll in a plan?

Your Special Enrollment Period runs from January 30 – May 30, 2025.

If you select a plan: Your plan start date is:
January 30 to March 31, 2025 April 1, 2025
April 1 to April 30, 2025 May 1, 2025
May 1 to May 30, 2025 June 1, 2025
Important: Creating a DC Health Link account or submitting an application for lower monthly premiums does NOT guarantee a plan start date. You must select a plan to secure a plan start date. To avoid a gap in coverage, be sure to select a plan before your employer health coverage ends.
Plan Options

DC Health Link offers 27 private health insurance plans across 4 metal levels: platinum, gold, silver, and bronze.

All DC Health Link plans include:

  • Coverage for doctors, hospitals, lab work, prescription medications, and other services.
  • Free preventive care including vaccinations, screening for numerous conditions, well-child check-ups, tobacco intervention and counseling, birth control, diet counseling, and more.
  • Plan options from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (HMO or PPO) and Kaiser Permanente.
Lower Premiums

Depending on your income, you may qualify for lower premiums, with plans as low as $13/month. Find out in 60 seconds or less by going to DC Health Link’s Plan Match tool. You can also use Plan Match to compare plan features and benefits side-by-side, check if your providers are in-network, and see if your prescription drugs are covered.

Important: If you qualify for Medicaid, you do not qualify for lower premiums for private health plans on DC Health Link. Medicaid eligibility is based on your monthly income. For more information about Medicaid and income eligibility requirements, go to our Medicaid and Lower Your Premiums pages.
DC’s Requirement to Have Health Coverage

DC requires all District residents to have qualifying health coverage, get an exemption, or pay a penalty on their DC taxes. For more information, go to our DC Individual Responsibility Requirement page.

Next Steps

Enrollment is easy! If you’re ready to enroll yourself and your family into a DC Health Link private health insurance plan:

  1. 1. Create a DC Health Link account by selecting 'Individual & Family' (or login to your existing account).
  2. 2. Complete an application.
  3. 3. Select ‘Lost or will soon lose other health coverage’ as your Special Enrollment Period, enter the last day you’ll have health coverage, and select a plan before your Special Enrollment Period ends!

Remember: Once your employer health coverage ends, you have 60 days to enroll in coverage!

Need Help?

DC Health Link offers free, in-person expert help. Go to our Get Help page to find a DC Health Link enrollment center near you.

You can also schedule an appointment with one of our DC Health Link Assisters.

Still have questions? Call the DC Health Link Contact Center at (855) 532-5465 / TTY: 711. We’re open Monday-Friday, from 8am-6pm.