In D.C., as in many other states, your health insurance options are somewhat dependent on your health status. Even if you are sick, however, the laws protect you in the following ways.

• Coverage under your group health plan (if your employer offers one) cannot be denied or limited, nor can you be required to pay more, because of your health status. This is called nondiscrimination.
• All group health plans in D.C. must limit exclusion of pre-existing conditions. There are rules about when a pre-existing condition exclusion period can be applied and how long you must wait before a new health plan will begin to pay for care for that condition. Generally, if you join a new group plan your old coverage will be credited toward the pre-existing condition exclusion period, provided you did not have a long break in coverage.
• Your health insurance cannot be canceled because you get sick. All health insurance is guaranteed renewable.
• If you leave your job, you may be able to remain in your old group health plan for a certain length of time. This is called COBRA or state continuation coverage. It can help when you are between jobs or waiting for a new health plan to cover your pre-existing condition. There are limits on what you can be charged for this coverage.
• If you lose your fully insured group HMO plan and meet other qualifications, you may be able to buy a conversion policy. This is an individual policy from the company that insured your former group policy. You will not face a new pre-existing condition exclusion period. However, there are few limits on what you can be charged for a conversion policy and the benefits may be less generous than your previous group coverage.
• If you lose your group health insurance and meet other qualifications, you will be HIPAA eligible. If so, you can buy an individual health policy from any individual insurer operating in D.C. You will not face a new pre-existing condition exclusion period. Insurers must offer you a choice of at least two policies, including one with comprehensive benefits.
• Currently, CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield sells an individual health insurance policy to all D.C. residents, regardless of health. You will not be turned down for this policy because you are sick. This is called guaranteed issue. The rates for this policy will vary based only on your age, not your health status. Plus, CareFirst does impose any preexisting exclusion periods on enrollees of this policy, so you will not have to wait to receive treatment of your preexisting conditions.
• If you are a small employer buying a group health plan, you cannot be turned down because of the health status, age, or any other factor that might predict the use of health services of those in your group. All health plans for small employers must be sold on a guaranteed issue basis. However, the insurance carrier can turn you down if your small business does not meet the participation or contribution requirements.
• If you have low or modest household income, you may be eligible for free or subsidized health coverage for yourself or members of your family. D.C.’s Medicaid program offers free health coverage for pregnant women, families with children, and elderly and disabled individuals with very low incomes.
• If your children are 19 years old or younger, do not have health insurance and meet other qualifications, you may be able to get coverage for yourself and your children through the DC Healthy Families Program. Healthy Families provides comprehensive coverage to enrollees and lasts for a 12 month period.
• If you believe that you have or are at risk for breast or cervical cancer, you may be eligible for free screening and treatment. The Project WISH: Women Into Staying Healthy Program provides qualified women with free breast and cervical cancer screening. Some women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through this program may be eligible for treatment through D.C. Medicaid Program.
• If you are a resident of D.C. and do not have health insurance, you may be eligible for healthcare coverage through the DC HealthCare Alliance.  You must meet certain eligibility requirements to participate in this program
• If you have lost your health insurance and are receiving benefits from the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program, you may be eligible for a federal income tax credit to help pay for new health coverage. This credit is called the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC), and it is equal to 65% of the cost of qualified health coverage, including COBRA and a policy offered through CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• If you are a retiree aged 55-65 and receiving benefits from Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC), then you may be eligible for the HCTC.