(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, one day after the kickoff of open enrollment, Mayor Bowser proclaimed November 1, 2017 – January 31, 2018 “Get Covered, Stay Covered” months in Washington, DC. Over the next three months, the Bowser Administration will encourage residents to sign up for or re-enroll in health insurance at DCHealthLink.com, the District’s state-based health insurance exchange established under the Affordable Care Act. With more than 96 percent of District residents covered, Washington, DC has one of the lowest uninsured rates in the nation. The goal is to get 100 percent of residents insured. Read the Mayor’s “Get Covered, Stay Covered” proclamation at mayor.dc.gov/facts.
“While some elected officials are focused on making it more difficult to access health insurance by shortening enrollment periods and reducing outreach and support, in DC, we remain committed to giving all residents the time and resources they need to shop around and enroll,” said Mayor Bowser. “Americans fought for years to expand access to quality and affordable health insurance, and over the past year, millions fought to protect it. Now, we must work together as friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors to ensure that all people get connected to the plans and care they need and deserve.”
On Saturday, the Mayor will highlight efforts to connect residents—particularly the hardest-to-reach and most vulnerable residents—to high-quality, affordable health insurance at the DC Health Link Health Fair. The Health Fair will:
- provide an opportunity for District residents, small business owners, and their employees to learn more about DC Health Link and to enroll in health insurance;
- offer onsite enrollment support and help attendees navigate the web portal with trained experts and DC Health Link certified insurance brokers; and
- have experts available to answer questions about benefits and the enrollment process.
Health Link provides health insurance to approximately 18,000 residents through the individual marketplace and more than 76,000 people through the small business marketplace. Despite the federal marketplace now limiting its open enrollment period to six weeks, DC Health Link is offering a three-month open enrollment period. In the individual market, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and Kaiser Permanente offer 26 plans for individuals and families to choose from in 2018.
Throughout “Get Covered, Stay Covered” months, the Bowser Administration will highlight efforts to eliminate barriers to obtaining health insurance and encourage all residents to sign up for or re-enroll in coverage. Residents should visit DCHealthLink.com to shop for and compare health insurance.