Health insurance cost in Washington, DC
If you're moving to Washington, DC without job-based coverage, here's what a Marketplace plan costs before subsidies. Washington, DC ranks #25 of 51 for the lowest benchmark premium.
Where to enroll for 2027 coverage
RelocateMath is an independent guide. Apply, compare current plans and confirm eligibility at DC Health Link, the official marketplace for Washington, DC.
Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027. The closing date is not necessarily the deadline for January 1 coverage. Ask DC Health Link about the required plan-selection and payment dates.
Platform checked 2026-10-01; enrollment guidance checked 2026-10-01. Check official dates and instructions. Costs below are 2026 averages, not a quote for 2027 coverage.
State average premiums and modeled costs by age
These 2026 figures compare one adult before premium tax credits. KFF weights each county's second-lowest-cost silver (benchmark) and lowest-cost bronze premiums by Marketplace plan selections. They are state averages, not a quote or the price of one plan available throughout Washington, DC. Your location, plan and household details affect your premium.
| Age | Benchmark silver average | Avg. lowest bronze |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | $455 | $377 |
| 30 | $487 | $403 |
| 40 | $610 | $505 |
| 50 | $895 | $741 |
| 60 | $1,313 | $1,087 |
| 64 | $1,365 | $1,130 |
Washington, DC sets its own age curve. It keeps the 3:1 limit between ages 64 and 21, but prices stop rising at 61 instead of 64. Amounts at ages other than 40 are modeled from the state averages. Excludes tobacco surcharges.
The Washington, DC benchmark rose 6% for 2026, less than the 26% national increase, leaving it 2% below the U.S. average for a 40-year-old.
What is different in Washington, DC
- Where to enroll
- DC Health Link
- Open enrollment for 2027
- November 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027
- Marketplace insurers, 2026
- 2
- Medicaid expansion
- Since Jan 2014
- Penalty if uninsured
- Yes, at tax time
- Average selected-plan premium after credits, 2026
- $725/mo
- Where and when. Washington, DC runs its own marketplace, DC Health Link, so you apply there rather than at HealthCare.gov. Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027. The closing date is not necessarily the deadline for January 1 coverage. Ask DC Health Link about the required plan-selection and payment dates.
- Choice of insurers. 2 insurers sell Marketplace plans in Washington, DC for 2026, the same number as in 2025. With so few to choose from, check that your doctors are in a plan's network before you pick it. 16,053 people picked a Marketplace plan here for 2026, up 8% from 2025, one of 10 states (counting DC) where sign-ups rose even as the enhanced federal credits ran out.
- Average premiums for selected plans. Plans selected during open enrollment had an average monthly premium of $725 after advance premium tax credits for 2026, up 19% from the $610 average for 2025 (U.S. average: $178). Before credits, selected plans averaged $815. These averages include people without tax credits and compare different mixes of people and plans; they aren't records of premiums actually paid or a quote for your household.
- Medicaid. Washington, DC expanded Medicaid in January 2014, when the ACA expansion took effect. Adults with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level can generally get Medicaid instead of a Marketplace plan.
- Going uninsured. The District requires residents to have coverage. For tax year 2024 the penalty is $795 per adult and $397.50 per child (up to $2,385 a household), or 2.5% of household income above the tax filing threshold if that is more, capped at the District's average bronze-plan premium. In 2024, 4.7% of residents had no health insurance, one of the five lowest shares (U.S.: 8.2%), and 4.6% bought their own coverage.
Medicaid income limits above describe the adult categories shown. Pregnancy, disability, age, household circumstances and other eligibility rules can create different pathways. Apply even if your state has not expanded Medicaid; the application checks whether you qualify under your state's rules.
Subsidies in 2026
The enhanced premium tax credits of 2021–2025 expired. Under the 2026 federal rules, household incomes generally between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level may qualify, subject to the other eligibility conditions; income alone does not establish eligibility. The expected contribution toward the benchmark plan ranges from about 2.1% to 9.96% of income, and above 400% there is no federal credit. An affordable employer offer that meets minimum value, or eligibility for certain public coverage, can affect credits even if you do not enroll in the employer plan. Confirm your eligibility and price with the official marketplace.
Use expected household income for the year you want coverage, including income before and after a job change, rather than only your new job's annual salary. These are 2026 subsidy and premium figures; select the appropriate coverage year at DC Health Link when applying. Eligibility guidance checked October 21, 2026.
Moving outside open enrollment
A move to a new ZIP code or county may create a Special Enrollment Period if it changes the plans available to you. Moving only for a vacation or medical treatment does not qualify.
Generally, a moving SEP requires qualifying coverage for at least one day in the 60 days before the move, and enrollment within 60 days after it. Exceptions include a move from abroad or a U.S. territory. Keep proof of your old coverage, move date and new address. The marketplace decides eligibility and when coverage starts; do not cancel existing coverage until the replacement start date is confirmed.
Check whether you may qualify at HealthCare.gov. For DC Health Link enrollment, ask the official marketplace about your move.
Sources: HealthCare.gov moving guidance and CMS moving-SEP requirements. Checked September 30, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much is health insurance in Washington, DC in 2026?
For one 40-year-old before premium tax credits, the state average benchmark silver premium is $610 a month and the average lowest-cost bronze premium is $505. KFF weights each county's second-lowest-cost silver and lowest-cost bronze premiums by plan selections. The benchmark average is up 6% from 2025. Your ZIP code and plan can give a different quote.
How much does health insurance cost for a 60-year-old in Washington, DC?
The modeled state average benchmark silver premium is about $1,313 a month before premium tax credits, scaled from the age-40 average using the District's own age curve. Your location and plan determine the actual quote.
Is there a penalty for not having health insurance in Washington, DC?
Yes. The District requires residents to have coverage. For tax year 2024 the penalty is $795 per adult and $397.50 per child (up to $2,385 a household), or 2.5% of household income above the tax filing threshold if that is more, capped at the District's average bronze-plan premium.