DC Health Insurance Program Premium Rates Correction

District of Columbia Employee Health Benefits Program

Premium Rates Correction for Self Plus One or Self and Family 2027 Coverage

Beginning January 2027, the health insurance premiums paid by retirees who are enrolled for Self Plus One or Self and Family coverage under the District of Columbia Employee Health Benefits (DCEHB) program will increase beyond the annual rate adjustments established by the insurance carriers. Below is information about the premium adjustments and DCRB’s role in the DCEHB program.

IMPORTANT: annuitants who are impacted by the premium rates correction will not be asked to pay any extra amounts to correct underpayments from prior years. The adjustments will apply only to future premiums for Self Plus One or Self and Family coverage.

The DCEHB Program

The District of Columbia Government created and operates the DCEHB program for all eligible retirees, including members of the District of Columbia Police Officers and Firefighters’ and the District of Columbia Teachers’ Retirement Plans (together, the “Plans”) who enroll for retiree health coverage. The DC Department of Human Resources (DCHR) and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) work together to operate the DCEHB program for all retirees, including DCRB’s annuitants. As the administrator of the Plans, DCRB provides limited administrative services for the annuitants who participate in the District’s DCEHB program. DCRB’s services include deducting premiums from the members’ annuity checks and remitting those payments to the insurance carriers. Other tasks and duties associated with managing the DCEHB program fall upon DCHR and the OCFO. Importantly, DCHR’s responsibilities include negotiating with the insurance carriers and setting the premium rates, and DCHR has updated and provided DCRB with the correct calculation formula to apply to members’ annuities going forward.

The Upcoming Premium Adjustments for DCEHB Self Plus One or Self and Family Coverage

The health premiums paid by retirees for Self Plus One or Self and Family coverage under the DCEHB program will increase beginning January 2027. The increase in premiums will not impact retirees enrolled for Self Only coverage and will only apply prospectively to future premiums for Self Plus One or Self and Family coverage.

The higher premiums being applied to certain retirees are the result of DCHR and its partners previously identifying issues with their calculation formula that resulted in inaccurate health insurance premiums being charged to certain retirees. The incorrect premiums were identified during a review of the DCEHB program and subsequently confirmed by independent audit. Beginning in 2027, the health premiums for Self Plus One or Self and Family coverage must be recalculated to comply with the applicable legal requirements that were not followed in prior years (see D.C. Official Code § 1-621.02 and 1-621.09 et seq).

The corrected premium amounts will be reflected in the upcoming Open Enrollment (November 9, 2026, through December 14, 2026) materials and rates. The corrected premiums will go into effect in January 2027 and will be applied to annuity payments starting February 1, 2027.

During the Open Enrollment period, DCRB Member Services Representatives will be available to assist enrollees as they review their coverage options at different levels and costs and support them as they make adjustments best suited for their needs.

IMPORTANT: annuitants impacted by the premium rates correction will not be asked to pay any extra amounts to correct underpayments from prior years. The adjustment will apply only to future premiums.