Medicaid eligibility in District of Columbia — income limits for 2025
The number
DC Medicaid + DC Healthcare Alliance covers pregnant women up to 324% of the federal poverty line — $83,660 annual income for a family of three in 2025.
Income limits in dollars (2025)
| Category | % FPL | Household of 1 | Household of 3 | Household of 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pregnant women | 324% | $48,790 | $83,660 | $101,090 |
| Children 0-5 | 324% | $48,790 | $83,660 | $101,090 |
| Children 6-18 | 324% | $48,790 | $83,660 | $101,090 |
| Parents / caretakers | 221% | $33,280 | $57,060 | $68,950 |
| Expansion adults (19-64) | 215% | $32,380 | $55,510 | $67,080 |
Who qualifies and how the income limits work
DC Medicaid + DC Healthcare Alliance uses modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) rules to test eligibility. For 2025, the thresholds for a three-person household are: pregnant women up to 324% of the federal poverty line ($83,660), children 0-5 up to 324% ($83,660), children 6-18 up to 324% ($83,660), and parents / caretaker relatives with dependents up to 221% ($57,060).
Adults 19-64 who don't fit another category qualify under Medicaid expansion up to 215% of the federal poverty line — $55,510 for a family of three. The state adopted expansion in 2010, so there is no coverage gap between the parent ceiling and ACA marketplace subsidies.
Citizenship / immigration status: US citizens and most lawfully present immigrants (with a 5-year waiting period for most categories under PRWORA) qualify if they meet the income test. Pregnant women and children may qualify in narrower circumstances under the CHIPRA 2009 state option. Assets test: no assets / resources test for MAGI-category applicants; a test applies for long-term care and non-MAGI applicants.
DC's Medicaid covers parents up to 221% of the federal poverty line and expansion adults up to 215% — the highest thresholds in the country. DC also operates the DC Healthcare Alliance, a locally funded program covering residents regardless of immigration status. Doula coverage launched April 2023 under the Postpartum Coverage Expansion Act of 2021.
For Black families
Expansion in District of Columbia extended Medicaid to adults up to 138% of the federal poverty line regardless of parental status, removing one of the biggest barriers to coverage for Black adults in physically demanding hourly-wage work. DC's Medicaid covers parents up to 221% of the federal poverty line and expansion adults up to 215% — the highest thresholds in the country. DC also operates the DC Healthcare Alliance, a locally funded program covering residents regardless of immigration status. Doula coverage launched April 2023 under the Postpartum Coverage Expansion Act of 2021.
Where to get help in District of Columbia
- Federally Qualified Health Centers in District of Columbia: every FQHC accepts Medicaid, charges on a sliding scale for the uninsured, and has certified application counselors who can help you apply or renew. See our FQHC directory for this state at /clinics/dc/.
- Medicaid-accepting providers in District of Columbia: our provider directory lets you filter to providers in this state. See /providers/dc/.
- State health profile for District of Columbia: for state-level health outcomes context (maternal mortality, infant mortality, life expectancy, uninsured rate) by race, see /health/district-of-columbia/.
- DC Medicaid + DC Healthcare Alliance consumer help line: 1-202-724-5506 for application help, renewal questions, and general Medicaid inquiries. Ask for an interpreter if you need one; language access is required under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
References & primary sources
- DC Medicaid + DC Healthcare Alliance, state Medicaid portal: https://dhcf.dc.gov/.
- KFF State Health Facts: kff.org/statedata. Medicaid income eligibility + enrollment.
- Medicaid.gov: medicaid.gov. Federal program guidance + state plan amendments.
- HHS 2025 Poverty Guidelines (Federal Register Jan 2025): aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines.
Data refreshed: