Know Your Rights! DC Healthcare Alliance
The Alliance gives free health insurance to lowincome people who live in D.C. and can’t get Medicaid. It will pay for doctor or hospital visits, home health care, dental services, prescription drugs, and many other services.
You can get the Alliance if you:
- Are 21 years or older
- Are a D.C. resident
- Don’t have health insurance (including Medicaid or Medicare)
- Have less than $4,000 (individuals) or $6,000 (2+ people) in cash or your bank account.
- Have low income. See the chart below.
| Household Size |
Your total income must be less than: |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,146/month |
| 2 | $2903 |
| 3 | $3660 |
| 4 | $4417 |
| 5 | $5173 |
| 6 | $5930 |
| 7 | $6,687 |
| 8 | $7,743 |
Yes. The law says the government has to help you in your language. Tell the agency you want help in your language.
Yes! All eligible District residents, no matter your immigration status, can get the Alliance. This includes undocumented immigrants.
Some documented immigrants may need to buy private insurance or face a tax penalty. Contact Legal Aid to learn more.
The Alliance can pay for:
- Doctor visits
- Preventative care (checkups, diet, and nutrition)
- Prenatal care (pregnancy)
- Prescription drugs
- Laboratory services
- Medical supplies
- Dental services up to $1,000
You can apply for all public benefits, including food stamps, TANF, Medicaid, and D.C. Healthcare Alliance on the same application.
Step 1: Get the documents you need. Don’t send the originals! Take a picture or make a copy.
- Your photo ID
- Your Social Security Card (if you have one)
- Proof of income (such as pay stubs)
- Proof of address (such as a utility bill)
- Birth certificates of everyone in your household
Step 2: Apply in one of five ways:
In person at one of these ESA service centers. Ask for a receipt when you apply.
- Anacostia Service Center
2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE
(202) 645-4614 - Congress Heights Service Center
4001 South Capitol Street SW
(202) 645-4546 - H Street Service Center
645 H Street NE
(202) 698-4350 - [Closed] Fort Davis Service Center
3851 Alabama Avenue SE
(202) 645-4500 - [Closed] Taylor Street Service Center
1207 Taylor Street NW
(202) 576-8000
Smartphone: Download the District Direct app in the app store. Apply through your phone. Write down your confirmation number.
Online: Apply online through District Direct at https://districtdirect.dc.gov/ua/. Write down your confirmation number. Save a copy of what you submit.
In person at these hospitals or community health clinics.
- Hospitals: United Medical Center, Washington Hospital Center, Providence Hospital, Howard University Hospital
- Congress Heights Health Center
3720 MLK Jr. Ave. SE, 20032
(202) 279-1800 - Hunt Place Community Health Center
4130 Hunt Pl. NE, 20019
(202) 388-8160 - La Clínica del Pueblo
2831 15th St. NW, 20009
(202) 462-4788 - Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care
2333 Ontario Rd. NW, 20009
(202) 483-8196 - Southwest Community Health Center
850 Delaware Ave. SW, 20024
(202) 548-4520
Fax: Fax the completed application to DHS ESA at (202) 671-4400.
If you’re approved, you’ll get enrolled in plan with a Managed Care Organization (MCO). The three MCO plans are AmeriHealth Caritas, CareFirst Community Health Plan, and MedStar Family Choice. To learn more about plans, go to dchealthyfamilies.com or call DC Families Customer Service at (800) 620-7802.
You have the right to appeal. You need to appeal within 90 days of the notice that your benefits were denied, cut
off, or reduced. There are three steps to appeal.
Step 1: Get the appeal form online at https://oah.dc.gov/node/154252.
Step 2: Fill out the appeal form.
Step 3: File the form in one of these ways:
Email it to oah.filing@dc.gov.
Bring it in person to the Office of Administrative Hearings, 441 Fourth Street NW, Suite 450N, Washington, DC 20001. Keep a copy of the form.
Mail it the address on the left. Keep a copy of the form. Write down the date you sent it. This option isn’t recommended.
Once you get Alliance, you have rights. if you can’t get a service or see a doctor, file a “grievance” with your MCO. A grievance is a formal way to complain about an issue. If the grievance is denied, appeal the denial by asking for a “fair hearing” at OAH (see the appeal instructions above).