You are here

10 Things You Should Know About DC Health Link

DC Health Link. Get the facts. Get covered.
September 11, 2014

As an integral part of the highly competitive hospitality industry, small business restaurant owners can look to DC Health Link as the leading option available for employer offered health insurance plans. Additionally, employees looking to enroll as individuals or with their families will find helpful tools with DC Health Link. Below are 10 things you should know about DC Health Link to get informed and prepared to sign up. 

  1. DC-based small business restaurants with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) are eligible and encouraged to sign up for benefits through DC Health Link. They can view all health insurance policies and prices to make choices to best meet their needs and budgets. 
  2. Major health insurance companies such as CareFirst, Aetna, Kaiser and United Healthcare are participating in DC Health Link  These trusted companies are offering over 260 different plans across all four carriers. These include HMO, PPO, POS and HSA-compatible plans to suit any budget. 
  3. With DC Health Link, eligible small business owners have access to the Small Business Tax Credit to help pay for employer coverage. The tax credit can cover up to 50% of an employer’s cost. 
  4. Regardless of how many different plans or carriers are chosen by employees, DC Health Link provides small business restaurant employers with easy billing by providing one monthly invoice. 
  5. Through DC Health Link, small business restaurant owners will have the ability to set their own desired employer contribution level. 
  6. DC Health Link offers NEW Mobile Apps for small businesses as well as individuals & families designed to inform employers and employees about DC Health Link in via a smart and savvy outlet. The mobile apps are free and available for download here. They are also available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play store to be downloaded to any device. 
  7. DC Health Link provides access to free trained experts, including insurance brokers and In-Person Assisters, available to help you select the right plan. 
  8. Employees who are also residents of DC whose employers do not offer health benefits will still be eligible to shop for a health insurance plan through DC Health Link’s individual and family marketplace
  9. Open enrollment for individuals and families begins on Saturday, November 15, 2014.
  10. Employers can begin shopping for coverage on DC Health Link as early as 3 months prior to the desired coverage effective date. Employee open enrollment can begin as early as 2 months prior to the coverage effective date.  That means you can start shopping NOW

RAMW is available to discuss your healthcare options or answer your questions about requirements of the Affordable Care Act. Please contact to Jackie Ludden, Project Director, RAMW + DC Health Link Grant, at jackie@ramw.org or 202.999.9291.