The Inflation Reduction Act
lowers health insurance premiums
for District residents

How does the Inflation Reduction Act help me to afford private health insurance?

The Inflation Reduction Act lowers health insurance premiums on DC Health Link.

I already get premium reductions. Will my premiums go down?

Yes. The Inflation Reduction Act extends lower premiums through 2025. Under the American Rescue Plan, lower premiums would have ended December 31, 2022.

I didn’t qualify for lower premiums under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Does the Inflation Reduction Act reduce my premiums?

Yes. The Inflation Reduction Act extends lower premiums from the American Rescue Plan for three years, through December 2025.

The American Rescue Plan reduced your premiums so you will not pay more than 8.5% of your income on premiums. For example, if you are a 30-year-old resident with an annual income of $45,000, you would have paid $309/month for a silver plan. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, your premium went down to $273/month.

The ACA lowered premiums for people who had incomes up to 400% of Federal Poverty Level (FPL) — $51,520 per year (or $106,000 per year for a family of 4). Having a higher income meant that you did not qualify for premium reductions under the ACA. The American Rescue Plan protected everyone. No one pays more than 8.5% of their income on health insurance premiums.

I am in the U.S. on a visa and don’t qualify for Medicaid coverage because of my visa status. Will my premiums for private health insurance go down?

Yes. Depending on your income, your premiums may be as low as $11/month. The Inflation Reduction Act extends the American Rescue Plan’s lower premiums for immigrants who don’t qualify for Medicaid coverage. Visit the Eligible Immigration Statuses for Private Health Coverage Through DC Health Link FAQ page for categories of immigrants who qualify for reduced premiums.

If I enroll, how long will my premium stay this low?

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 extends lower premiums under the American Rescue Plan through December 2025, unless Congress extends them again or makes them permanent.

What if my income changes?

Your monthly premium is based on your income. If your income goes down, you may qualify for lower monthly premiums. If your income goes up, your monthly premium may go up. You will not pay more than 8.5% of your annual income on health insurance premiums.

Do I have to enroll in a specific plan?

No. You can enroll in any plan – bronze, silver, gold, or platinum – and apply the amount of monthly reductions you qualify for to the plan of your choice. The Inflation Reduction Act calculates the amount of the reduction using the cost of the second lowest silver plan, your income, and your age to determine your monthly premium reductions.

Will everyone’s premium be reduced?

No. Not everyone will qualify for monthly premium reductions because affordability is determined by the cost of the second lowest price silver plan, age, and income. Because DC’s premiums are already among some of the lowest in the country, some people already pay less than 8.5% of their income on premiums.

I qualify for monthly premium reductions, but I chose to pay my full monthly premium instead. Can I claim the amount of reduced premiums during tax time when I file my taxes?

Yes. You can get the amount of reduced premiums when you file your taxes. When you do that, each month you pay full price for premiums.

When will this benefit be available on DC Health Link?

As of April 2021, this benefit has been available on DCHealthLink.com. It will continue through December 2025.

I am currently enrolled in a health plan through DC Health Link and pay full price for my premiums. What do I have to do to get lower monthly premiums?

Login to your DC Health Link account to provide your income and household information. You'll instantly find out if and how much your monthly premiums will decrease. You’ll also be able to apply those premium reductions and see your new premium.

I am currently enrolled on DC Health Link and pay reduced monthly premiums. What do I have to do to lower my monthly premiums more?

Nothing. The Inflation Reduction Act will continue your reduced premiums, including at renewal for the next year.

I am currently not enrolled on DC Health Link. What do I do to get low monthly premiums provided by the Inflation Reduction Act?

Go to DCHealthLink.com and do a quick check to see how much in premium reductions you may qualify for under the Inflation Reduction Act. Provide information about your income and household, find out how much your premiums will be reduced, select a health plan, and enroll.

Is there any additional COVID-19 help available for DC Health Link enrollees?

Some residents and small businesses may be eligible for emergency COVID-19 relief. This is to help District residents and small businesses stay insured and help them recover from the economic and human toll the pandemic has caused.

DC Health Link enrollees who had past-due health (medical) insurance premiums from January 2020 through June 2022 may be eligible for relief.

If you are eligible, you will have received a message from DC Health Link. The relief payment shows as a ’credit’ on your invoice and in your DC Health Link account.

Which District businesses are eligible for Mayor Bowser’s emergency COVID-19 relief?

The relief program came from funding for cities and states under the American Rescue Plan. Eligibility for relief is pursuant to federal guidelines. Under federal guidelines, a few examples of DC Health Link small businesses that qualified for relief include:

• Businesses in hard-hit industries like tourism, travel, and hospitality;
• Businesses that received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 public health emergency;
• Businesses located in ZIP codes where data shows these businesses suffered significant losses in revenue; and
• Businesses with a history of clean, consistent, and timely payments before the pandemic, and that went into arrears during the pandemic.

Is there an application process for this relief?

No. There is no application process. DC Health Link enrollees who are eligible for relief do not need to do anything. DC Health Link made this automatic. Based on federal guidelines, DC Health Link determined eligibility for residents and employers in arrears. DC Health Link notified eligible residents and employers. In January 2022, we implemented an individualized determination program for employers who did not qualify for relief under federal guidance on presumptive qualifications. DC Health Link accounts and invoices reflect these payments as a ‘credit’.