While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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Medicaid is a federal U.S. health insurance program that provides health coverage to millions of Americans. The program primarily covers low-income adults, children pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
Federal guidelines for the Medicaid program are established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Learn more about Medicaid at a national level on the CMS website here.
The Washington DC Medicaid program is administered by the Washington DC Department of Health Care Finance. Learn more about Medicaid in Washington DC on the Department of Health Care Finance website here.
Through Medicaid, people gain access to health care services that may not be affordable without it. Additionally, some programs and benefits include special protections—such as provider network and payment methods—that help ensure services are accessible. Medicaid also provides preventive care and other services help people stay healthy and avoid costlier care.
Medicaid covers medical and health care services such as:
*Additional services, such as nursing homes or personal care services, may be available to those who have special needs.
Medicaid does not cover the following types of medical services:
Learn more about medical and health care services that are covered by Medicaid in Washington DC on the Department of Health Care Finance page here.
Medicaid recipients in Washington DC may need to pay a monthly premium, which is a monthly fee for enrollment in the program. Premium amounts are based on the recipient’s annual income.
Recipients may sometimes need to pay a small out-of-pocket cost for treatments, which are known as copayments. Copayment amounts depend on the recipient’s age, household income and what the state pays for the specific service. There is a limit to the amount you can pay in copayments each month.
To qualify for Medicaid in Washington DC, you must:
Income limits vary depending on household size, medical status and other factors and are subject to change annually. Find the current Medicaid income limits based on household size in Washington DC here.
Learn what documents you can submit to prove your citizenship and identity here.
Find further information on Washington DC Medicaid eligibility here.
To apply for Medicaid in Washington DC, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents you need here.
To apply for Medicaid online, click here to access the DC Health Link Portal.
To apply for Medicaid by mail, click here to access the application form, fill it out, and mail it with the necessary documents to:
DC Health Link
Department of Human Services
Case Record Management Unit
P.O. Box 91560
Washington, DC 20090
To apply for Medicaid in person, click here to find your nearest Economic Security Administration (ESA) Service Center.
To apply for Medicaid by phone, call the DC Health Link Customer Service line toll-free at (855) 532-5465.
To apply for Medicaid by fax, click here to access the application form, fill it out, and fax it with the necessary documents to (202) 671-4400.
Regardless of your method of application, a face-to-face or phone interview may be required to process your application.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, call the DC Health Link Customer Service Center at 1 (855) 532-5465.
Or, contact your nearest local Washington DC Economic Security Administration office.
Find contact information for local ESA Service Centers here or refer to the list below.
| Location | Address | Phone Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| H Street Service Center | 645 H St., NE Washington, DC 20002 |
(202) 698-4350 | Monday – Friday, 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM |
| Congress Heights Service Center | 4001 South Capitol St., SW Washington, DC 20032 |
(202) 645-4546 | Monday – Friday, 8:15 AM –4:45 PM |
| Anacostia Service Center | 2100 Martin Luther King Ave., SE Washington, DC 20020 |
(202) 645-4614 | Monday – Friday, 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM |
| Fort Davis Service Center | 3851 Alabama Ave., SE Washington, DC 20020 |
(202) 645-4500 | Monday – Friday, 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM |
| Taylor Street Service Center | 1207 Taylor St., NW Washington, DC 20011 |
(202) 576-8000 | Monday – Friday, 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM |
Washington DC Medicaid recipients must report changes that can influence their eligibility status, including:
You can submit your change information in the following ways:
You can check the status of your application in the following ways:
The Washington DC Department of Health Care Finance will review your application to verify if you are eligible for Medicaid. In some cases, the District of Columbia may ask for additional information before approving your application. DC Health Link will mail applicants a letter detailing if their Medicaid application was approved or denied.
It takes 1 to 2 weeks to process a Medicaid application. If you are approved, you will receive information on how to enroll in a Medicaid plan.
Medicaid applications will be denied when applicants do not meet the eligibility requirements. Also, beneficiaries can have their benefits terminated or reduced if their eligibility status changes while they are enrolled.
If your Medicaid application is denied or your benefits amount is reduced, you have the right to file an appeal. You must submit a verbal or written appeal request within 90 days of when you receive notice of the denial or benefits reduction.
You can download a DC Health Link Appeal Request form here. After completing the form, submit it in one of the following ways:
Office of Administrative Review and Appeals <
64 New York Avenue NE, 5th Floor
Washington DC 20002
The Washington DC Department of Health Care Finance will review your claim and may ask for additional information or evidence of your eligibility.
If you are granted a hearing, you will receive a notice with the date, time and location of the hearing. Learn more about the appeal process on the DC Health Link’s Individual and Family Appeal Rights page here.
Washington DC Medicaid recipients must report changes that can influence their eligibility status, including relocating to a new address.
If you move to a new residence within Washington DC, you can submit your change information in the following ways:
Note: Medicaid benefits do not transfer. If you move to a new state, you must reapply for Medicaid in your new location. If you have further questions about moving with Medicaid, visit the national Medicaid Contact Us here.
For help with a Medicaid application, or for any further questions about the Medicaid program, contact DC Health Link:
Department of Human Services
Economic Security Administration
Case Record Management Unit
P.O. Box 91560
Washington, DC 20090
You can also visit or call a local Economic Security Administration Service Center for further assistance. Find your nearest ESA Service Center and contact information here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Medicaid program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Medicaid Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
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To apply for Medicaid in Washington DC, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents you need here.
To apply for Medicaid online, click here to access the DC Health Link Portal.
To apply for Medicaid by mail, click here to access the application form, fill it out, and mail it with the necessary documents to:
DC Health Link
Department of Human Services
Case Record Management Unit
P.O. Box 91560
Washington, DC 20090
To apply for Medicaid in person, click here to find your nearest Economic Security Administration (ESA) Service Center.
To apply for Medicaid by phone, call the DC Health Link Customer Service line toll-free at (855) 532-5465.
To apply for Medicaid by fax, click here to access the application form, fill it out, and fax it with the necessary documents to (202) 671-4400.
Regardless of your method of application, a face-to-face or phone interview may be required to process your application.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, call the DC Health Link Customer Service Center at 1 (855) 532-5465.
Or, contact your nearest local Washington DC Economic Security Administration office.
Find contact information for local ESA Service Centers here or refer to the list below.
| Location | Address | Phone Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| H Street Service Center | 645 H St., NE Washington, DC 20002 |
(202) 698-4350 | Monday – Friday, 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM |
| Congress Heights Service Center | 4001 South Capitol St., SW Washington, DC 20032 |
(202) 645-4546 | Monday – Friday, 8:15 AM –4:45 PM |
| Anacostia Service Center | 2100 Martin Luther King Ave., SE Washington, DC 20020 |
(202) 645-4614 | Monday – Friday, 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM |
| Fort Davis Service Center | 3851 Alabama Ave., SE Washington, DC 20020 |
(202) 645-4500 | Monday – Friday, 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM |
| Taylor Street Service Center | 1207 Taylor St., NW Washington, DC 20011 |
(202) 576-8000 | Monday – Friday, 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM |
Washington DC Medicaid recipients must report changes that can influence their eligibility status, including:
You can submit your change information in the following ways:
You can check the status of your application in the following ways:
The Washington DC Department of Health Care Finance will review your application to verify if you are eligible for Medicaid. In some cases, the District of Columbia may ask for additional information before approving your application. DC Health Link will mail applicants a letter detailing if their Medicaid application was approved or denied.
It takes 1 to 2 weeks to process a Medicaid application. If you are approved, you will receive information on how to enroll in a Medicaid plan.
Medicaid applications will be denied when applicants do not meet the eligibility requirements. Also, beneficiaries can have their benefits terminated or reduced if their eligibility status changes while they are enrolled.
If your Medicaid application is denied or your benefits amount is reduced, you have the right to file an appeal. You must submit a verbal or written appeal request within 90 days of when you receive notice of the denial or benefits reduction.
You can download a DC Health Link Appeal Request form here. After completing the form, submit it in one of the following ways:
Office of Administrative Review and Appeals <
64 New York Avenue NE, 5th Floor
Washington DC 20002
The Washington DC Department of Health Care Finance will review your claim and may ask for additional information or evidence of your eligibility.
If you are granted a hearing, you will receive a notice with the date, time and location of the hearing. Learn more about the appeal process on the DC Health Link’s Individual and Family Appeal Rights page here.
For help with a Medicaid application, or for any further questions about the Medicaid program, contact DC Health Link:
Department of Human Services
Economic Security Administration
Case Record Management Unit
P.O. Box 91560
Washington, DC 20090
You can also visit or call a local Economic Security Administration Service Center for further assistance. Find your nearest ESA Service Center and contact information here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Medicaid program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Medicaid Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
