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Renewal District of Columbia · DC Medicaid

Medicaid renewal in District of Columbia: how to keep coverage

The number

DC Medicaid must renew your eligibility once every 12 months, first using information it already has, and give you at least 30 days to return any form.

Primary source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-C/part-435/subpart-…
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How to keep your coverage at renewal

Medicaid eligibility is renewed once every 12 months. The state must first try to renew you using information it already has; if it cannot, it sends a form and gives you at least 30 days to return it. If your coverage ends because a form was missing, returning it within 90 days lets the state reconsider without a new application (42 CFR 435.916).

If you ask for a hearing before the date your coverage would end or be cut, the state generally must keep your services in place until the hearing decision (42 CFR 431.230).

For Black families

DC Medicaid has covered doula care since October 1, 2022, with up to 12 doula visits that include attendance at the birth. Since January 1, 2026, parents, caretaker relatives and adults without dependent children qualify for DC Medicaid with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level, and adults above that limit may qualify for the Healthy DC Plan, which has an income limit of 200%. The DC Health Care Alliance, a locally funded program, covers District residents 21 and older with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level who are not eligible for Medicaid and have no other insurance.

Where to get help in District of Columbia

  • The application line DC Medicaid lists on its own pages: (202) 727-5355.
  • Community health centers in District of Columbia: /clinics/dc/. Federally funded community health centers discount their fees by income, with a full discount at or below the poverty line (42 CFR 51c.303(f)).
  • Health profile for Black residents of District of Columbia: /health/district-of-columbia/.
  • Free, trained helpers can walk you through a Medicaid or Marketplace application; find one near you at localhelp.healthcare.gov.

References & primary sources

Data refreshed:

More District of Columbia Medicaid facets

Eligibility How to apply Doula coverage Postpartum extension Pregnant women

Back to District of Columbia Medicaid overview

If you have Medicaid, the coverage on this page is the route to use first: it costs you nothing and it is what these programs exist for. If you are not covered yet, there is still a free option. Our directory of free and charitable clinics lists centers by state. The option below is self-pay and is not billed to Medicaid. It is here for readers who are between coverage or who prefer to pay out of pocket:

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