Cheapest Health Insurance in Washington, D.C. (2026)

CareFirst offers the cheapest health insurance plans in the nation's capital, with rates starting at $582 monthly for Silver plans.

Discover affordable health insurance in Washington, D.C., below.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: May 26, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways

CareFirst provides the district's most affordable health insurance, saving policyholders an average of $110 per month compared to the district average.

Kaiser Permanente is the only carrier offering full-coverage Platinum plans, with prices starting at $772 per month.

Choose a coverage level that fits your budget and check if you qualify for subsidies. After that, compare plans from different insurers to find the cheapest health insurance for your needs.

Washington, D.C., operates one of the smallest individual health insurance markets in the country. In our analysis of ACA-compliant plans on HealthCare.gov, we found five carriers have coverage in the district: CareFirst, Kaiser Permanente, Health First, Aetna and UnitedHealthcare. That narrow field limits competitive pressure. CareFirst had the lowest average monthly premium at $582 for a 40-year-old, $110 below the district average.

The five-carrier market also means rate compression, Silver-tier rates for a 40-year-old, the gap between the cheapest plan (Kaiser Permanente at $526) and the district Silver average ($573) was just $47 per month. In larger state markets with 10 or more carriers, that spread is often two to three times wider. For D.C. residents, the financial stakes of picking the wrong carrier are lower than in most states, but the stakes of picking the wrong tier are higher.

Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in Washington, D.C.

Kaiser Permanente leads on Silver-tier plans at $526 per month, while CareFirst's average across all tiers is $582. For enrollees who expect regular care, the $246 monthly gap between Kaiser Permanente's Silver and Platinum plans narrows, once deductibles and copays are factored in.


CareFirst	$582	$110

*These plans reflect rates for 40-year-olds who aren't considered low-income.

CareFirst covers more plan tiers at a lower average price than any other carrier in the district, with options from Catastrophic at $215 per month through Bronze at $483. It is the only carrier in our analysis that leads on both Catastrophic and Bronze pricing.

Cheapest Washington, D.C., Health Insurance Plans by Profile

The most affordable plan for you will differ depending on your preferred coverage tier and age. Below are the cheapest companies by category for most in the district:

Cheapest for Young Adults: Kaiser Permanente ($392 monthly)
Cheapest for Seniors: Health First ($1,132 monthly)
Cheapest Catastrophic Plan: CareFirst ($215 monthly)
Cheapest Extended Bronze Plan: CareFirst ($483 monthly)
Cheapest Bronze Plan: CareFirst ($483 monthly)
Cheapest Silver Plan: Kaiser Permanente ($526 monthly)
Cheapest Gold Plan: Kaiser Permanente ($608 monthly)
Cheapest Full Coverage (Platinum Plan): Kaiser Permanente ($772 monthly)

Health First is a regional carrier that writes coverage in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area. Unlike CareFirst and Kaiser Permanente, Health First does not appear in the Silver, Gold or Platinum tier results, which means it's relevant only to seniors comparing the cheapest available rate regardless of tier. Its $1,132 monthly rate for a 60-year-old is the lowest in our district data for that age, but seniors who want Silver-tier coverage with lower out-of-pocket costs should compare Kaiser Permanente alongside it.

While these are a good measure of the most affordable plans, they represent only the cheapest for 40-year-olds (26-year-olds for young adults and 60 for seniors) and your cheapest company and plan may differ for your profile. Below is a filterable table you can modify by plan tier and age to find your lowest rate match.

Data filtered by:


Kaiser Permanente	KP DC Silver Virtual Forward 3500 Ded	$526	$47	$8,000

The cheapest Silver-tier plan in Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old is Kaiser Permanente at $526 per month, $47 below the district Silver average of $573 in our analysis. Switching from an average Silver plan to the cheapest saves $564 per year.

Ready to compare Silver-tier plans? Washington, D.C., residents enroll through DC Health Link at dchealthlink.com. Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15.

How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in Washington, D.C.

Follow these steps to find affordable health insurance in Washington, D.C.:

1
Plan Your Coverage and Monthly Costs
Your plan type and tier depend on your health needs and income. Estimate how much you can put toward monthly premiums and think about your health risks based on where you live, your age and your lifestyle.
2
Check Your Subsidy Eligibility
People earning between $15,960 and $63,840 may qualify for premium tax credits that lower monthly costs by 40% to 100%. Those earning below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level ($39,900) may also qualify for cost-sharing reductions that cut out-of-pocket expenses by up to 73%.
3
Look Into Federal Programs If You Qualify
Adults 65 and older, some adults under 65 with qualifying disabilities, are eligible for Medicare. If you're in that group, review Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans before comparing ACA exchange options. Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans often cost less per month than ACA exchange plans for eligible enrollees.
4
Review Prescription Coverage
Check each plan's formulary, its list of covered drugs, before enrolling. Plans place the same medication on different tiers and the tier determines your copay. For enrollees who take one or two regular prescriptions, the formulary tier can shift total annual out-of-pocket costs by hundreds of dollars, even between two plans at the same premium level.
5
Compare Plans During Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15, with Special Enrollment available if you experience certain life changes like job loss or shifts in family size. At the Silver tier for a 40-year-old, our analysis found a $47 monthly gap between the district's cheapest plan (Kaiser Permanente at $526) and the Silver average ($573). Compare plan types, pricing, reviews and provider networks to choose the plan that fits your budget.

MONEYGEEK TIP: MAKE SURE TO APPLY EARLY

Submit your application at least five days before the enrollment deadline to avoid technical problems. Have your income documents, Social Security numbers and any required immigration papers ready so the process goes smoothly.

Most Affordable Health Insurance in Washington, D.C.: Bottom Line

CareFirst is the right starting point for most Washington, D.C., residents focused on keeping monthly costs low. Its Bronze and Catastrophic plans are the cheapest in the district and its Silver tier is competitive for enrollees who don't qualify for the subsidy levels that bring Kaiser Permanente's Silver plans lower.

For healthy adults under 30 who want to limit monthly spending: start with the CareFirst Catastrophic plan at $215 per month and compare it at dchealthlink.com. For adults who expect regular prescriptions or specialist visits, Kaiser Permanente's Silver-tier plans at $526 are the better value once out-of-pocket costs are measured against the premium difference. Seniors should compare Health First at $1,132 per month against Kaiser Permanente's offerings. In all three cases, check your subsidy eligibility first, a subsidy can shift which carrier wins for your budget entirely.

Cheap Washington, D.C., Health Insurance: FAQ

Many people have questions when trying to find affordable health insurance in the district. These are some of the most common ones to guide you as you compare plans:

What is the cheapest health insurance in Washington, D.C.?

CareFirst offers the cheapest health insurance in Washington, D.C., with Silver plans that start at $582 per month for 40-year-olds. The right plan depends on your income and coverage level, so comparing CareFirst, Kaiser Permanente and Health First across tiers will show you where you save the most.

What are the downsides of a cheap health insurance plan?

Cheap health insurance carries lower monthly premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs when you need care. In our district data, the gap between the cheapest Catastrophic plan (CareFirst at $215 per month) and the cheapest Silver plan (Kaiser Permanente at $526) is $311 per month or $3,732 per year in additional premiums. The Silver plan's lower deductibles and copays offset much of that gap for enrollees who use their coverage regularly.

Which Washington, D.C., health insurance plan should I choose?

Your income and how often you use health care are the two deciding factors. Adults under 30 who rarely see a doctor and don't qualify for subsidies pay the least with CareFirst's Catastrophic plan at $215 per month. Adults who see specialists or take regular prescriptions get better value from Kaiser Permanente's Silver-tier plans at $526 per month, where lower deductibles and copays offset the higher premium. Seniors 60 and older pay the least with Health First at $1,132 per month. Start at DC Health Link (dchealthlink.com) to check your subsidy eligibility before choosing a tier.

How We Decided the Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in Washington, D.C.

MoneyGeek obtained plan and premium data directly from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the 2026 plan year, covering all on-exchange ACA-compliant plans available to Washington, D.C., residents. We pulled rates for consumer profiles aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60 to reflect the full age range of individual market enrollees.

We ranked the cheapest overall by the lowest monthly premium for a 40-year-old nonsmoker, since that age represents the broadest segment of individual-market enrollees in the district. Rates for other ages appear in the filterable table and profile breakdowns above. Cheaper plans have higher out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles, meaning you pay more when you use care.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he has produced original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.

Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.

Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). He began his career in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.

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Sources

HealthCare.gov. "Health Insurance Marketplace." Accessed June 1, 2026.
CMS.gov. "What are you looking for today?." Accessed June 1, 2026.
IRS.gov. "Eligibility for the Premium Tax Credit." Accessed June 1, 2026.