DC Health Link Partners with Tax Preparers to Offer One-Stop-Shop Health Insurance Enrollment and Tax Filing Services

What/Who:
According to recent research of the Urban Institute, which was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, more than 74 percent of uninsured consumers who qualify for insurance affordability programs under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) file federal income tax returns. This includes over 90 percent of consumers under age 35 who are eligible for subsidies to pay for qualified health plans. As the March 31, 2014 deadline for health insurance approaches, tax preparers are a promising source of application assistance for these uninsured, which is why DC Health Link established partnerships with several local tax preparation service centers in the District.

For the past four weeks, DC Health Link has worked with tax preparers to make sure the uninsured in the District get the health insurance coverage they need as they file their 2013 income taxes. In most cases, the same information needed for filing taxes is also needed to enroll in health coverage. Between now and March 31st, DC Health Link will continue its tax partnership efforts at more than 11 locations across the city enrolling consumers at various times throughout the week. For a complete listing of tax site/enrollment locations and hours of operation, see below or view the event listings.

DC Heath Link certified in-person assisters and licensed health insurance brokers are located at each site providing information, answering questions and offering application and plan selection support as soon as consumers walk through the doors.

With only 32 days to the enrollment deadline, individuals and families are urged to enroll in health insurance plans as soon as possible to beat the potential rush. The window to complete enrollment is closing, and every effort is being made to reach residents, notify them of the tax penalty and inform them of the implications for non-enrollment. The ACA includes a requirement that many people be insured or pay a tax penalty. The tax penalty, which will take effect on the 2014 tax filing, is $95 per adult and $47.50 per child (up to $285 for a family) or 1.0% of family income, whichever is greater.

When/Where:
Tax Filing Locations:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library - 901 G Street, NW
  Saturday – 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
  Sunday – 1 pm - 5 pm
  Monday – Wednesday – 4:30 pm - 9 pm
  Thursday – 1:30pm - 5:30pm
   
• CentroNia - 1420 Columbia Road, NW
  Saturday – 9 am - 4 pm
   
• Jubilee Jobs - 2712 Ontario Road, NW
  Saturday – 9 am - 4 pm
  Monday – Thursday – 6 pm - 9 pm
  • In March this location is only open on Saturdays – 1 pm - 4 pm
     
• ​Marshall Heights - 3939 Benning Road, NE
  Saturday – 9 am - 3 pm
   
• Edgewood Terrace - 635 Edgewood Street, NE
  Sunday – 1 pm - 4 pm
   
• UPO Petey Greene Community Service Center - 2907 Martin Luther King Avenue, SE
  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday – 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
  Wednesday – 10 am - 2 pm
   
• Southeast Community Credit Center at Capital One Bank - 2831 Alabama Avenue, SE
  Saturday – 9 am - 5 pm
  Wednesday – 6 pm - 9 pm
   
• Anacostia Library - 1800 Good Hope Road, SE
  Tuesday – 12 pm - 5 pm
   
• Capitol View Library -  5001 Central Avenue, SE
  Monday, Wednesday – 10 am - 2 pm
   
• Petworth - 4200 Kansas Avenue, NW
  Monday – 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
  Friday – 10 am - 2 pm
   
• Southwest Library - 900 Wesley Place, SW
  Monday – 3:30 pm - 8 pm
  Wednesday – 10 am - 2:30 pm

Background:
The new health law provides individuals, families, and small businesses in the District of Columbia with new options for quality, affordable health insurance. 

DC Health Link is the District’s online health insurance marketplace that allows visitors to shop, compare, and buy coverage that fits their needs and budgets.

Eligible residents have until March 31, 2014, to enroll in a health insurance plan through DCHealthLink.com. Those who enroll before March 15, 2014, will have benefits effective April 1, 2014. Small businesses can enroll through DCHealthLink.com at any point.