District Government Services

The DC Healthcare Alliance (“the Alliance”) is a health coverage program that is offered to individuals and families who are not eligible for Medicaid. The Alliance is a locally funded program that includes a range of health care services to include primary care services, doctor visits, prescription drugs, dental services and wellness programs. To be eligible for the Alliance, you must be a resident of the District of Columbia, have no other health insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare and meet a certain income threshold.

DC Health Link was created and is governed by the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority (HBX). The HBX was established as a requirement of Section 3 of the Health Benefit Exchange Authority Establishment Act of 2011, effective March 3, 2012 (D.C. Law 19-0094). The mission of the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority is to implement a health care exchange program in the District of Columbia in accordance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), thereby ensuring access to quality and affordable health care to all DC residents. DC Health Link is the name of the DC Health Benefit Exchange program.

DC Healthy Families is a program that provides free health insurance to DC residents who meet certain income and U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status to qualify for DC Medicaid. The DC Healthy Families program covers doctor visits, vision and dental care, prescription drugs, hospital stays, and transportation for appointments. DC Healthy Families also offers special programs for newborn babies, children with disabilities or special health care needs, and people with HIV and AIDS.

GetCheckedDC is the District’s free program that provides residents with confidential, convenient testing for both HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Learn more at getcheckeddc.org/

• To learn more about HIV and the services DC Health offers please visit dchealth.dc.gov/service/hivaids and enter your zip code to find services near you.
• To find out more or enroll in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) please contact (202) 671-4815 or visit dchealth.dc.gov/DC-ADAP.
• For free condoms visit dchealth.dc.gov/service/condoms-and-condom-information

• The District’s Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Hotline is a resource for people who may have been exposed to HIV. PEP is emergency medication taken to prevent HIV and has to be started within 72 hours of a possible exposure. The DC PEP Hotline is open 24 hours a day/7 days a week, and can be reached by calling (202) 299-3PEP (3737). Learn more at GetPEPDC.org

MG DC is for pregnant moms and families with children living in DC ages 0-5 years old. The program offers mothers and expectant mothers a place to learn about and identify developmental and/or behavioral concerns and then be connected to community-based developmental and behavioral services and supports. If you are concerned about a child’s development or are an expecting mother, please contact 1-800-MOM-BABY (1-800-666-2229)and speak with a care coordinator.

LinkUDMV.org is an online directory to help people find a full range of services offered by medical and community providers, including health, sexual health, food/nutrition, housing, transportation, financial assistance, education, and employment in the Metropolitan area.

The District contracts with 3 MCOs to provide access to services for the DC Healthy Families Program, the DC Health Care Alliance and the Immigrants Children’s Program. The current MCOs are:

• CareFirst Community Health Plan District of Columbia
• AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia
•  Medstar Family Choice

WIC offers DC residents who are either pregnant or have a child 5 or younger free healthy food and nutrition education, immunization assessment and screening, breastfeeding resources and support referrals for additional care.

SNAP-Ed is a free nutrition education and obesity prevention grant program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for children, youth, and adults who receive or are eligible to receive SNAP benefits.

The Immigrant Children’s Program (ICP) is a health coverage program that is offered to children under age 21 who are not eligible for Medicaid due to citizenship or immigration status. The ICP includes a range of health care services to include primary care services, doctor visits, prescription drugs, dental services, and wellness programs. To be eligible for the ICP, you must be a resident of the District of Columbia, have no other health insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare and meet a certain income threshold. Services covered under the Immigrant Children Program are very similar to the services covered under Medicaid for children under age twenty-one (21).

The Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) serves District residents 60 and older, adults living with disabilities, and those who care for them. In partnership with more than 20 community-based organizations across the city, we offer more than 40 free or low-cost programs to help all District residents live boldly at any age, stage, or ability.

Through a variety of programs including community activities and events, nutrition and transportation services, healthcare and insurance counseling, caregiver support resources, and adult protective services, we are building a District where we can all thrive together in the communities we know and love.

The Department of Behavioral Health provides prevention, intervention and treatment services and supports for children, youth and adults with mental and/or substance use disorders including emergency psychiatric care and community-based outpatient and residential services.

DBH serves eligible adults, children and youth and their families through a network of community-based providers and unique government delivered services. It operates Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital—the District’s inpatient psychiatric facility.

The Department on Disability Services (DDS) is composed of two Administrations that oversee and coordinate services for residents with disabilities through a network of private and non-profit providers: Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).

DDS also supports the District’s Disability Determination Division where Social Security Disability Insurance claims determinations are processed.

The Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF), formerly the Medical Assistance Administration under the Department of Health, is the District of Columbia’s state Medicaid agency. The mission of the Department of Health Care Finance is to improve health outcomes by providing access to comprehensive, cost-effective and quality healthcare services for residents of the District of Columbia.

In addition to the Medicaid program, DHCF also administers insurance programs for immigrant children, the State Child Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP or CHIP) and Medical Charities (a locally funded program).

The DC Vital Records Division (DCVRD) maintains birth certificates dating back to August 1874. Birth records become public after 125 years. Death records become public after 75 years. All other birth records are closed, and certified copies may only be obtained if you are legally entitled and present the required personal documentation and fees.

The Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs was established through the Mayor’s Order 2008-46. MOCA is responsible for ensuring that the needs of the residents of the District of Columbia are met and that residents' engagement and interests in the community are heightened.