The D.C. Health Benefit Exchange Authority was established in the District of Columbia to develop and operate the District’s on-line health insurance marketplace, DC Health Link, in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, thereby ensuring access to quality and affordable health care to District of Columbia residents and small businesses.  

Summary of Services 

In March of 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 was signed into law with the central goal of ensuring that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care. It enabled implementation of significant health insurance reforms including the establishment of Health Benefit Exchanges nationwide. The D.C. Health Benefit Exchange Authority is a quasi-governmental agency of the District of Columbia government charged with implementing and operating the District’s state-based marketplace. The Health Benefit Exchange operates DC Health Link, an online marketplace for District residents, small businesses, and non-profits. Since opening on-time on October 1, 2013, DC Health Link has been fostering competition and transparency in the private health insurance market, enabling individuals, small businesses, and non-profits to compare health insurance prices and benefits and to purchase affordable, quality health insurance. Through DC Health Link, residents can qualify for lower premiums and cost sharing reductions and enroll in a health plan that best meets their needs. The DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority also operates the Healthy DC Plan, a health insurance program under the Affordable Care Act for moderate income residents that are not Medicaid eligible.