A new DC law requires all residents to have health coverage in 2019, get an exemption or pay a tax penalty on their DC taxes. DC enacted this law in response to the repeal of the federal individual responsibility penalty and is modeled after the federal requirement. The penalty is based on the number of months an individual or family goes without health coverage.
For someone who goes without coverage for a full year, the penalty is: $695 for each adult and $347.50 for each child, up to $2,085 per family or 2.5 percent of family income that is over the federal tax filing threshold, whichever is greater. For more details about the tax penalty visit: https://dchealthlink.com/individual-responsibility-requirement
DC Health Link customer service representatives will be available at (855) 532-5465 from 8:00am to 8:00pm on Tuesday, February 5th and until 9:00pm on Wednesday, February 6th to work with individuals seeking to enroll in health insurance coverage effective March 1. In-person assistance will also be available at enrollment centers throughout the District to assist residents with the enrollment process through February 6th.
