District of Columbia
Medicare help in the District of Columbia
Free, unbiased counseling, help paying premiums and drug costs, how to check an agent before you talk to one, and the District of Columbia rules that affect your Medigap choices.
Free counseling
SHIP
DC State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is District of Columbia's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Trained counselors answer Medicare questions, compare plans with you and help you apply for savings programs, at no cost. They don't sell insurance.
Help paying for Medicare in the District of Columbia
If your income and savings are limited, these programs can lower your premiums and drug costs. Many people who qualify never apply.
Medicare Savings Programs
DC Medicaid runs District of Columbia's Medicare Savings Programs. They pay your Part B premium, and the fullest one (QMB) also pays Part A premiums, deductibles and copays. You don't need to qualify for full Medicaid.
The 2026 federal minimum limits: income up to $1,350 a month single or $1,824 married for full help (QMB), or up to $1,816 single or $2,455 married for help with the Part B premium, and savings up to $9,950 single or $14,910 married. Your home and one car don't count. States can be more generous.
The District allows much more income than the federal minimum: up to 300% of the federal poverty level for full help (QMB), which in 2026 is $4,010 a month for one person or $5,430 for two.
Extra Help with drug costs
Extra Help is a federal program, run by Social Security, that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays. In 2026 you may qualify with income up to $23,940 a year single or $32,460 married, and resources up to $18,090 single or $36,100 married. If you get a Medicare Savings Program, Medicaid or SSI, you get Extra Help automatically. Apply with Social Security.
District of Columbia drug assistance program
Medicare.gov lists no general state drug assistance program for people with Medicare in District of Columbia. Start with Extra Help; District of Columbia's free SHIP counselors can help you apply.
Sources: Medicaid.gov state contacts, District of Columbia's own Medicaid pages and Medicare.gov's state program list, checked October 27, 2026. Limits change every year; confirm with DC Medicaid before you apply. How Extra Help and savings programs work.
Check an agent's license in the District of Columbia
The District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) licenses insurance agents in District of Columbia. Before you share personal information, look the agent up by name or National Producer Number (NPN) and make sure their license is active and includes health insurance.
Medigap rules in the District of Columbia
Switching plans later
District of Columbia has no yearly switching window. After your first 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, insurers can ask health questions before selling you a different policy, unless you have a federal guaranteed issue right. How switching works.
If you're under 65
District of Columbia doesn't require insurers to sell Medigap to people under 65, though some may. You get your own Medigap Open Enrollment Period when you turn 65. More on Medigap under 65.
Source: NAIC state Medigap chart, May 11, 2026. Confirm with the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) before changing coverage.
Dates that apply everywhere
- October 15 to December 7: Open Enrollment, when you can change Medicare Advantage and drug plans. All enrollment periods
- January 1 to March 31: people in Medicare Advantage can switch plans or go back to Original Medicare once.
- Around your 65th birthday: your 7-month window to sign up. Turning 65
Common questions in District of Columbia
Where can I get free Medicare help in the District of Columbia?
DC State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is District of Columbia's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Its counselors help with Medicare questions for free and don't sell insurance. Call 202-727-8370.
How do I check a Medicare agent's license in the District of Columbia?
The District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) licenses insurance agents. Use its license lookup to search by the agent's name or National Producer Number (NPN), or call 202-727-8000.
How do I get help paying Medicare premiums in the District of Columbia?
Apply for a Medicare Savings Program through DC Medicaid (1-855-532-5465). These programs pay your Part B premium, and sometimes your deductibles and copays. The District allows much more income than the federal minimum: up to 300% of the federal poverty level for full help (QMB), which in 2026 is $4,010 a month for one person or $5,430 for two. District of Columbia's free SHIP counselors (202-727-8370) can help you apply.
Does the District of Columbia help pay for prescriptions?
Medicare.gov lists no general state drug assistance program for people with Medicare in District of Columbia. Extra Help, a federal program run by Social Security, lowers Part D premiums and copays for people with limited income, and District of Columbia's free SHIP counselors (202-727-8370) can check whether you qualify.
Does the District of Columbia have a Medigap birthday rule?
Not as of the NAIC's May 11, 2026 chart. Outside your first 6-month Medigap window and federal guaranteed issue rights, insurers in District of Columbia can ask health questions before selling you a different policy.
Can I buy Medigap under 65 in the District of Columbia?
District of Columbia doesn't require insurers to sell Medigap to people under 65, though some may. You get a full Medigap Open Enrollment Period when you turn 65.
State contacts checked against official District of Columbia sites on October 26, 2026. General information, not advice about a specific plan. How we check facts.