Best Cheap Health Insurance in Washington, D.C. (2024)
With rates as low as $481 per month, the Silver Virtual Forward plan from Kaiser Permanente is the best cheap health insurance in D.C.
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Kaiser Permanente has the cheapest Bronze, Gold and Platinum plans in the District of Columbia, too. CareFirst and Kaiser Permanente are the only two health insurance companies that sell Affordable Care Act plans in Washington, D.C.
A Silver health insurance plan costs an average of $538 per month for a 40-year-old in Washington, D.C.
Kaiser Permanente sells the best health insurance in Washington, D.C. ValuePenguin's editors give the company 4.5 out of 5 stars because of its high plan quality, low rates and excellent customer satisfaction.
How much does health insurance cost in Washington, D.C.?
Health insurance costs an average of $538 per month in the District of Columbia, for a 40-year-old with a Silver plan. The level of coverage you buy and your age usually have the largest effect on your health insurance rates. Higher plan tiers cost more, and older people pay more than younger people for the same coverage.
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Across all plan levels, a 60-year-old pays more than twice as much as a 40-year-old for the same coverage. The health insurance company you choose, how many people you insure and whether or not you use tobacco will also impact how much health insurance costs for you and your family.
Most people qualify for savings that lower the monthly rate of health insurance, so you may not pay the full price for your plan. These discounts are called premium tax credits, or premium subsidies, and eligibility is based on income level.
Cheapest health insurance in Washington, D.C.
No matter what plan tier you are looking for, Kaiser Permanente sells the cheapest options in D.C. The best cheap health insurance plan in Washington, D.C., is the Silver Virtual Forward from Kaiser Permanente. It can be up to 11% cheaper than the state average for Silver plans and gives you good coverage.
Higher-tier plans like Gold and Platinum cost more each month but cover more of your medical bills. Lower-level plans like Bronze are cheaper but require you to pay for more of your health care yourself.
Tier | Cheapest plan | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Kaiser Permanente Standard Bronze 6350 | $446 |
| Silver | Kaiser Permanente Silver Virtual Forward | $481 |
| Gold | Kaiser Permanente Gold 1600 | $558 |
| Platinum | Kaiser Permanente Standard Platinum | $708 |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Although Kaiser Permanente is the cheapest health insurance company in Washington, D.C., CareFirst is the most popular. Almost 62% of all health insurance plans in the nation's capital are from CareFirst.
CareFirst is part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield family of companies. Although CareFirst's rates are often higher than Kaiser Permanente's, it does have one big benefit: a large network of doctors. A plan with CareFirst might make it easier to get covered medical care.
Finding your best health insurance coverage in Washington, D.C.
The best health insurance for you depends on how much you're willing to spend each month and how much medical care you think you'll need. Generally, the more medical care you need, the higher the plan tier that you should buy. Medicaid might also be an option if you have a low income.
Gold and Platinum plans: Best for people with high medical needs
Gold and Platinum plans are good if you go to the doctor often or if you have complex and expensive medical needs. These plans cost the most each month but also pay for more of your medical bills. That's because Gold and Platinum plans usually have lower deductibles, coinsurance and copays.
Silver plans: Best for most people
Silver plans are a good choice for most people. You'll probably have a higher deductible than higher-tier plans, but you'll pay less each month for your coverage.
Silver is also the only plan level eligible for discounts called cost-sharing reductions. These reductions lower the amount you pay for your medical care by giving you lower deductibles, copays and coinsurance. Eligibility is based on income. The less you make, the higher a discount you can get.
Bronze and Catastrophic plans: Best for young, healthy people
Bronze plans have some of the lowest monthly rates available, but you also have to pay a bigger share of your medical bills. These plans have higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. If you don't go to the doctor often and you have the funds to pay for your share of medical care when you do, Bronze plans are a good choice.
Catastrophic plans might cost the least each month but have the highest out-of-pocket costs for health care. You must be under the age of 30 or qualify for an exemption to buy these plans. Also, Catastrophic plans are not eligible for premium tax credits, so you can't lower your rate based on your income.
Medicaid: Best if you have a low income
If you have a low income, Medicaid might be the best health insurance option for you. To qualify, you have to make less than about $20,000 as an individual or about $41,000 as a family of four. You might also qualify if you are blind, disabled or pregnant or if you have breast or cervical cancer. Medicaid can reduce or eliminate the costs for medical care.
Are health insurance rates going up in Washington, D.C.?
Health insurance rates have gone up in the District of Columbia in recent years. Between 2023 and 2024, the cost for a Silver plan went up by 13%. The cost for a Bronze plan, the most popular level of coverage in the area, increased by 9%.
Tier | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Change (2023 to 2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $382 | $436 | $474 | 9% |
| Silver | $424 | $475 | $538 | 13% |
| Gold | $502 | $580 | $642 | 11% |
| Platinum | $633 | $715 | $770 | 8% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
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Best cheap health insurance companies in Washington, D.C.
Kaiser Permanente is the best health insurance company in Washington, D.C. The company has the cheapest plans in the area for every level of coverage. It also has excellent customer satisfaction.
Only two health insurance companies sell Obamacare plans on the District of Columbia's health insurance marketplace, DC Health Link. Your plan will either come from Kaiser Permanente or CareFirst.
Cheapest health insurance companies in Washington, D.C.
Company | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente | $518 |
| CareFirst | $569 |
Average monthly cost for a 40-year-old buying a Silver plan in D.C.
Short-term health insurance in Washington, D.C.
Short-term health insurance plans in Washington, D.C., only last for up to three months, and you can't extend the plans for longer. Currently, though, no insurance companies sell short-term health insurance in the District of Columbia.
If you need coverage for a short time, like between jobs, you could sign up for a marketplace plan and cancel it once your long-term coverage is in place.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best health insurance in Washington, D.C.?
Kaiser Permanente has the best health insurance in Washington, D.C. The company has the cheapest plan for every level of coverage. Kaiser Permanente also has excellent customer satisfaction. Even so, the best company and plan for you will depend on your unique circumstances. Comparing health insurance plans can help you find the best fit.
How much does health insurance cost in Washington, D.C.?
Health insurance in Washington, D.C., costs an average of $538 per month for a 40-year-old with a Silver plan. Your cost will vary based on your age, the plan level you choose, how many people you put on your plan, whether you smoke or use tobacco and the health insurance company you pick. Many people qualify for subsidies that lower the monthly cost of health insurance.
Is health insurance mandatory in Washington, D.C.?
Yes, health insurance is required for Washington, D.C., residents. If you don't maintain insurance or qualify for an exemption, you must pay a penalty when you file your taxes. The minimum penalty is $695 per year, but it can be higher depending on how much you make each year.
Methodology
ValuePenguin gathered 2024 health insurance rates and plan details from the Washington, D.C., health insurance exchange, DC Health Link. Using this information, we calculated average rates by age and plan tier. The most popular plan level in D.C. was sourced from KFF.
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.