What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in the District of Columbia?

For a household of 1, MAGI above $62,600 (400% of the 2025 FPL contiguous-48 base) zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit under IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25. Household of 4: $128,600. DC has no marketplace QHP subsidy backfill for households above 400% FPL. However, DC's Healthy DC Plan (BHP) and generous Medicaid threshold (215% FPL) mean fewer DC residents are exposed to the cliff than in most states.

What is the Healthy DC Plan?

The Healthy DC Plan is a Basic Health Program (BHP) authorized under §1331 of the ACA. Launched January 1, 2026, it provides $0 premium and $0 cost-sharing coverage for adults earning 138–200% FPL, and for lawfully present immigrants at 100–138% FPL who are ineligible for DC Medicaid. Eligible individuals enroll through DC Health Link.

How do I enroll in 2026 coverage in DC?

DC uses DC Health Link at dchealthlink.com. Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 31. DC Health Link handles enrollment in marketplace QHPs, the Healthy DC Plan (BHP), and DC Medicaid in a single enrollment flow. Call 855-532-5465 for assistance.

What is the DC Medicaid threshold?

DC Medicaid covers adults to 215% FPL — far above the 138% FPL federal ACA minimum. For a single adult in 2026, 215% FPL equals roughly $33,648. The Healthy DC Plan (BHP) then covers adults from 138% up to 200% FPL who are not in DC Medicaid (a different program). Above 200% FPL up to 215% FPL, DC Medicaid applies.

Does DC have a state subsidy on top of the federal PTC?

DC does not have a traditional state premium subsidy backfill for marketplace QHPs above 400% FPL. The Healthy DC Plan (BHP) effectively substitutes for the marketplace for residents at 138–200% FPL, providing $0-premium coverage outside the QHP market. DC Medicaid's 215% FPL threshold means fewer residents reach the federal PTC zone at all.

How is SLCSP calculated for DC?

The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for DC are: Age 21: $360/mo, Age 30: $408/mo, Age 40: $460/mo, Age 50: $643/mo, Age 60: $977/mo. DC has among the lowest SLCSP premiums in the nation. The federal cliff distance (income vs. 400% FPL) is exact regardless of SLCSP precision.

Can I reduce my MAGI to stay below the 2026 cliff in DC?

Yes — common strategies include maximizing HSA contributions, deductible IRA or SEP-IRA/Solo 401(k) contributions, harvesting capital losses, and deferring Roth conversions. DC's relatively low SLCSP premiums mean federal PTCs are somewhat smaller than in high-cost states — the cliff's dollar impact at 400% FPL is proportionally lower.

DC Cliff Calculator — 2026 ACA Subsidy

By Severance Calculator Editorial · Updated May 13, 2026

District of Columbia Marketplace: DC Health Link

District of Columbia uses a state-based marketplace (SBM) called DC Health Link. District of Columbia residents enroll at DC Health Link — not HealthCare.gov.

Medicaid in District of Columbia: DC Medicaid

District of Columbia expanded Medicaid under the ACA. DC Medicaid covers adults to 138% FPL.

2026 SLCSP Benchmark Premiums (District of Columbia)

Statewide average monthly second-lowest-cost Silver plan (SLCSP) premiums by age. Actual premiums vary by rating area.

Age	21	30	40	50	60
Monthly SLCSP	$360	$408	$460	$643	$977

2026 ACA Cliff Thresholds by Household Size (District of Columbia)

MAGI above these amounts zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit. FPL region: contiguous48.

Household size	1	2	3	4	5
400% FPL cliff	$62,600	$84,600	$106,600	$128,600	$150,600

Key Facts: District of Columbia ACA

The District of Columbia launched the Healthy DC Plan on January 1, 2026 — a Basic Health Program (BHP) authorized under §1331 of the ACA. The Healthy DC Plan provides $0 premium and $0 cost-sharing coverage for adults earning between 138% and 200% FPL, as well as lawfully present immigrants at 100–138% FPL who are ineligible for DC Medicaid. This fills the gap between DC Medicaid (which covers adults to 215% FPL) and marketplace QHP coverage, and reduces the population exposed to the 400% FPL subsidy cliff.

DC Health Link is the state-based marketplace (SBM) for the District, enrolling DC residents in marketplace plans. DC Medicaid, administered by the Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF), covers adults to 215% FPL — far above the 138% FPL federal minimum — making DC one of the most generous Medicaid jurisdictions in the country. Adults above 215% FPL and below 400% FPL rely on federal APTC via DC Health Link, while those above 400% FPL face the federal cliff with no DC-specific QHP subsidy backfill.

Calculate your District of Columbia ACA cliff

Inputs default to District of Columbia; adjust to your household specifics. Cliff = $62,600 (HH=1) / $128,600 (HH=4).

Your situation

Household size

State

Filing status

Member ages

selftobacco

Coverage

One or more members have employer-sponsored coverage offered

Income

Wages (W-2)

You're under the cliff

100%138%200%300%400%

You are at 319% of the federal poverty level.

Annual PTC: $540; $45 / month
MAGI headroom before cliff: $12,600; until you hit 400% FPL

PTC dollar values use a state-level SLCSP estimate; verify your exact second-lowest-cost Silver plan on healthcare.gov for your zip.

Primary Sources

DC Health Link — Healthy DC Plan
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FAQ — District of Columbia ACA Cliff

What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in the District of Columbia?: For a household of 1, MAGI above $62,600 (400% of the 2025 FPL contiguous-48 base) zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit under IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25. Household of 4: $128,600. DC has no marketplace QHP subsidy backfill for households above 400% FPL. However, DC's Healthy DC Plan (BHP) and generous Medicaid threshold (215% FPL) mean fewer DC residents are exposed to the cliff than in most states.
What is the Healthy DC Plan?: The Healthy DC Plan is a Basic Health Program (BHP) authorized under §1331 of the ACA. Launched January 1, 2026, it provides $0 premium and $0 cost-sharing coverage for adults earning 138–200% FPL, and for lawfully present immigrants at 100–138% FPL who are ineligible for DC Medicaid. Eligible individuals enroll through DC Health Link.
How do I enroll in 2026 coverage in DC?: DC uses DC Health Link at dchealthlink.com. Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 31. DC Health Link handles enrollment in marketplace QHPs, the Healthy DC Plan (BHP), and DC Medicaid in a single enrollment flow. Call 855-532-5465 for assistance.
What is the DC Medicaid threshold?: DC Medicaid covers adults to 215% FPL — far above the 138% FPL federal ACA minimum. For a single adult in 2026, 215% FPL equals roughly $33,648. The Healthy DC Plan (BHP) then covers adults from 138% up to 200% FPL who are not in DC Medicaid (a different program). Above 200% FPL up to 215% FPL, DC Medicaid applies.
Does DC have a state subsidy on top of the federal PTC?: DC does not have a traditional state premium subsidy backfill for marketplace QHPs above 400% FPL. The Healthy DC Plan (BHP) effectively substitutes for the marketplace for residents at 138–200% FPL, providing $0-premium coverage outside the QHP market. DC Medicaid's 215% FPL threshold means fewer residents reach the federal PTC zone at all.
How is SLCSP calculated for DC?: The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for DC are: Age 21: $360/mo, Age 30: $408/mo, Age 40: $460/mo, Age 50: $643/mo, Age 60: $977/mo. DC has among the lowest SLCSP premiums in the nation. The federal cliff distance (income vs. 400% FPL) is exact regardless of SLCSP precision.
Can I reduce my MAGI to stay below the 2026 cliff in DC?: Yes — common strategies include maximizing HSA contributions, deductible IRA or SEP-IRA/Solo 401(k) contributions, harvesting capital losses, and deferring Roth conversions. DC's relatively low SLCSP premiums mean federal PTCs are somewhat smaller than in high-cost states — the cliff's dollar impact at 400% FPL is proportionally lower.