Where to enroll
District of Columbia runs its own ACA marketplace, DC Health Link, rather than using HealthCare.gov. Apply and enroll directly at DC Health Link.
Visit DC Health Link →ACA marketplace subsidies — 2026 plan year
District of Columbia ACA Subsidy Eligibility (2026)
Who qualifies for an ACA premium tax credit in District of Columbia, how the state's Medicaid expansion status affects eligibility, and what the 2026 reverted subsidy schedule means at common income levels.
See your exact numbers: Use the ACA Premium Tax Credit Calculator with your real household income, size, and benchmark plan premium.
Medicaid expansion status
District of Columbia has adopted the ACA's Medicaid expansion. Residents with household income below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) generally qualify for Medicaid instead of a marketplace premium tax credit.
2026 subsidy schedule — the 400% FPL cliff
The enhanced (IRA-era) premium tax credit expired December 31, 2025 and was not extended by OBBBA. For the 2026 plan year, ACA subsidies revert to the pre-2021 schedule: a hard cliff at 400% of the Federal Poverty Level — no premium tax credit at all above it — and required-contribution percentages rising to about 9.96% of income just below the cliff, per IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25.
Household of 1 — District of Columbia 2026 examples
| % of FPL | Household income | Status | Expected contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150% | $23,475/yr | PTC-eligible (4.19% of income) | $984/yr |
| 200% | $31,300/yr | PTC-eligible (6.60% of income) | $2,066/yr |
| 250% | $39,125/yr | PTC-eligible (8.44% of income) | $3,302/yr |
| 300% | $46,950/yr | PTC-eligible (9.96% of income) | $4,676/yr |
| 400% | $62,600/yr | PTC-eligible (9.96% of income) | $6,235/yr |
Illustrative only — uses the 2025 HHS poverty guideline for household size 1 in District of Columbia's region and the 2026 plan year's reverted applicable-percentage schedule. Actual credits depend on your exact income, benchmark Silver plan premium, and filing status — use the calculator above for your own numbers.
Household of 4 — District of Columbia 2026 examples
| % of FPL | Household income | Status | Expected contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150% | $48,225/yr | PTC-eligible (4.19% of income) | $2,021/yr |
| 200% | $64,300/yr | PTC-eligible (6.60% of income) | $4,244/yr |
| 250% | $80,375/yr | PTC-eligible (8.44% of income) | $6,784/yr |
| 300% | $96,450/yr | PTC-eligible (9.96% of income) | $9,606/yr |
| 400% | $128,600/yr | PTC-eligible (9.96% of income) | $12,809/yr |
Illustrative only — uses the 2025 HHS poverty guideline for household size 4 in District of Columbia's region and the 2026 plan year's reverted applicable-percentage schedule. Actual credits depend on your exact income, benchmark Silver plan premium, and filing status — use the calculator above for your own numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I enroll in ACA marketplace coverage in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia runs its own ACA marketplace, DC Health Link, rather than using HealthCare.gov. Apply and enroll directly at DC Health Link.
Has District of Columbia expanded Medicaid?
District of Columbia has adopted the ACA's Medicaid expansion. Residents with household income below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) generally qualify for Medicaid instead of a marketplace premium tax credit.
What is the ACA subsidy cliff for the 2026 plan year?
The enhanced (IRA-era) premium tax credit expired December 31, 2025. For the 2026 plan year, subsidies revert to the pre-2021 schedule: a hard cliff at 400% FPL (no premium tax credit at all above it) and required-contribution percentages up to about 9.96% of income, per IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25.
When is ACA open enrollment for District of Columbia?
District of Columbia sets its own open enrollment window through DC Health Link. For comparison, CMS lists HealthCare.gov's 2027 window as November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Check DC Health Link for District of Columbia's exact dates.
Sources
- IRS — Premium Tax Credit
- IRS Form 8962 — Premium Tax Credit
- HHS — Federal Poverty Guidelines
- HealthCare.gov — The Marketplace in Your State
- CMS — Marketplace 2026 Open Enrollment Period Report: National Snapshot (state-by-state platform table)
- KFF — State Health Insurance Marketplace Types
- KFF — Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions
- CMS — Plan Year 2027 Marketplace Plans and Prices Fact Sheet
Related insights
Use these guides for rule explanations, planning context, and follow-up questions beyond the calculator result.
Related Calculators
ACA Premium Tax Credit
Marketplace health insurance subsidy + cost-sharing reduction
Federal Poverty Level Calculator
Convert household income to a 2026 FPL percentage and compare common program thresholds
Federal Poverty Level 2026
2026 HHS poverty guidelines by household size and region, common percentage multiples, and which year ACA uses
Medicaid Income Limits 2026
Check Medicaid income limits by state — 138% FPL expansion threshold, non-expansion parent limits, and the coverage gap
HSA Calculator
$4,400/$8,750 triple tax advantage, HDHP, post-65 stealth IRA
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