The Cheapest (and Best) Health Insurance in Washington, D.C. (2024)

Your monthly premium is determined by factors like location, age, plan type, health care needs and family size. MoneyGeek analyzed marketplace data to determine the most affordable health insurance in Washington, D.C. We also selected our picks for the best health insurance companies in Washington, D.C., based on cost, customer service and plan options.

Not all insurers offer all plan types and metal tiers, so it’s best to compare providers to find the best deal for your health care needs. Additionally, if there is only one provider in your area, choose the best plan for your needs.

While cost is a significant factor when buying health insurance, it’s also essential to evaluate an insurer’s customer service, cost-sharing choices and plan options. Considering these factors, MoneyGeek rated providers and found that CareFirst BCBS is the best health insurance company in Washington, D.C., earning a score of 85 out of 100.

Scoring 85 out of 100, Kaiser Permanente is MoneyGeek’s pick for the second-best health insurance company in Washington, D.C. It scored well in affordability, satisfaction and plan options.

Your health insurance premium is determined by how you share health care costs with your insurance provider. Rates may vary depending on which state and city you live in. The best health insurance company may not be the most affordable option.

If you’re focused on affordability, familiarizing yourself with how the marketplace metal system, premiums and out-of-pocket maximums work together can help you find the best deal for your budget. Usually, plans with low monthly premiums have high out-of-pocket maximums. In addition, look into a plan’s deductible, copay and co-insurance as they also affect your health care costs.

For the metal system, Catastrophic and Bronze plans provide the lowest monthly premiums. While they can protect you from catastrophic events, it’s worth noting that you won’t have much coverage for everyday health care needs.

Costs for different metal tiers in Washington, D.C., are shown in the table below.

Some companies offer Expanded Bronze plans as a middle-ground between Bronze and Silver tiers. Expanded Bronze plans usually cover at least one major service before you meet your deductible.

Your health insurance costs can be influenced by your age. Since you require more care the older you get, insurance companies offset this by raising your health insurance premium.

Bronze and Expanded Bronze plans typically offer the lowest monthly premiums. However, you should make sure you’re comfortable with the provider’s network before purchasing a lower-tiered plan to avoid paying out of pocket for out-of-network coverage.

Catastrophic plans were not included in the table below since they have limited availability.

There’s no such thing as the perfect health insurance plan. You’ll need to weigh a plan’s coverage against its cost to find the most suitable option for your health care needs and budget.

For instance, Catastrophic and high-deductible plans may suit you if you don’t anticipate requiring much care. On the other hand, a plan with a higher monthly premium could be cheaper in the long run if you need frequent medical care.

Financial assistance to lower health insurance costs may be available based on your income bracket. In 2022, individuals whose income is at least 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) are eligible for a health insurance subsidy. While this threshold is usually 400%, the American Rescue Plan lowered it in 2022 to make assistance available to more people.

Alternatively, you may look into Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) if your income renders you ineligible for a subsidy. Depending on the state, you may qualify for Medicaid if your income is between 100% and 150% of the FPL.

Purchasing the cheapest health insurance may not always be a wise financial decision. You may incur more out-of-pocket costs, especially if you require frequent health care services. It’s important to balance cost, plan options and customer service.

Shopping for health insurance can be confusing. MoneyGeek provides answers to some frequently asked questions about health insurance in Washington, D.C.