District of Columbia Employees Health Benefits (DCEHB) Program
If you were hired by the District of Columbia Government in a benefits-eligible position on or after October 1, 1987, and you retired under the optional, voluntary, mandatory, or involuntary options, you are eligible to continue your health insurance coverage with the District of Columbia Employees Health Benefits (DCEHB) Program, provided you had 10 years of service with the District and you contributed to the health insurance program for 5 consecutive years immediately preceding the effective date of your retirement.
If you retired due to a disabling condition with at least 5 creditable years of service, you are eligible to continue your District of Columbia-sponsored health insurance coverage as well.
The Open Enrollment Period For Calendar Year 2027 is NOW OPEN. Open Enrollment Runs From Monday, November 9, 2026, Through Monday, December 14, 2026. Learn About Your Coverage Options Below.”
During this enrollment period, you can make changes that best suit your personal circumstances. You may switch to a different health plan, add family members who have become eligible for coverage, or remove dependents who no longer qualify. If you currently provide coverage for a dependent, like a spouse or child(ren), you must present proof that the individual listed in your plan qualifies as a dependent.
If you are satisfied with your health insurance coverage, you do not have to do anything, and your current selection will carry over to 2027. However, if you are considering making a change, we suggest you:
- contact the health insurance carrier to inquire about coverage options;
- review the maximum out-of-pocket expenses (i.e., deductibles and copays);
- familiarize yourself with the exclusions and limitations under the plan; and
- find out if your physician is a participating provider in the health care plan you are considering for the 2027 plan year.
DCEHB OPEN ENROLLMENT 2026 for 2027 INSTRUCTIONS:
- Select from the tiers below to learn more about your coverage options (Self Only, Self Plus One or Self And Family, or Medicare Advantage).
- Please refer to the brief video or the Frequently Asked Questions below for helpful information about enrolling in or making changes to your Plan.
- Once you have made your enrollment decision, select the blue “Submitting Your Enrollment Decisions” button and follow the instructions.
- All changes you make during this period will take effect on January 1, 2027. The premiums will be deducted from your pension benefit beginning February 1, 2027.
- Remember: if you are not making any changes to your plan, you do not have to do anything.
If you have any additional questions, contact DCRB Member Services or call the Member Services Center at 202-343-3272.
Learn more about each coverage option below:
DCEHB Self Only
Self Only coverage means that the health insurance plan covers only you and no one else. You might select Self Only coverage if:
- You do not have eligible dependents.
- Your spouse has insurance through their own employer.
- Your children are covered under another health plan.
DCEHB Self Plus One or Self and Family
DCEHB Medicare Advantage
Only current retirees who currently participate in a DCEHB plan and have Medicare Part A and Part B qualify for Medicare Advantage. Each enrollee must be Medicare-eligible. If a dependent is not Medicare eligible, the retiree may not enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan and must stay in a current non-Medicare plan. For example, if the retiree has a dependent who is not Medicare eligible, the retiree may not enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan if they wish to insure their dependent.
The carriers offering a Medicare Advantage plan through the DCEHB program include Aetna, CareFirst (Blue Cross Blue Shield), Kaiser Permanente, and United Healthcare. Select the carriers below for more information about each plan, including its enrollment form and summary of benefits.
Use this worksheet to estimate your new premium rates under the Medicare Advantage plan.
Aetna Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Medicare Advantage 2027 Summary of Benefits - 2027 Summary of Benefits
- Aetna Medicare Advantage Enrollment Form – 2026 Aetna Medicare Advantage Application
CareFirst (Blue Cross Blue Shield) Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst (Blue Cross Blue Shield) Medicare Advantage 2027 Summary of Benefits - 2027 Summary of Benefits
- CareFirst (Blue Cross Blue Shield) Medicare Advantage Enrollment Form – Medicare Advantage Enrollment Form
- CareFirst (Blue Cross Blue Shield) Medicare Advantage 2027 Frequently Asked Questions – 2027 Frequently Asked Questions
Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage (HMO) 2027 Summary of Benefits – 2027 Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Application
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Group Enrollment Form - Medicare Advantage Group Enrollment Form
United Healthcare Medicare Advantage
- United Healthcare Medicare Advantage (PPO) 2027 Plan Guide and Summary of Benefits - 2027 Plan Guide and Summary of Benefits
- United Healthcare Medicare Advantage 2027 Enrollment Request Form - 2027 Enrollment Request Form
Next Steps:
Submitting Your Enrollment Decisions
Option 1: Submit Online (Recommended)
- Visit dcrb.dc.gov/openenrollment.
- Complete your enrollment form (including the OPEB enrollment form if enrolling in Medicare Advantage) and compile your required supporting documents, if applicable.
- Submit your form/s and supporting documents, if applicable, through the online electronic submission system.
- The system will automatically send your completed form/s to DCRB for processing.
- A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you provided.
Option 2: Submit by Email
- Download and complete your enrollment form (including the OPEB enrollment form if enrolling in Medicare Advantage) and compile your required supporting documents, if applicable.
- Email the enrollment materials to [email protected].
- You will receive an auto-reply email confirming receipt of your enrollment materials.
- The DCRB Benefits Department will review your submission and contact you if additional information is needed.
Option 3: Submit via the DCRB Drop Box
- Complete your enrollment form (including the OPEB enrollment form if enrolling in Medicare Advantage) and compile your required supporting documents, if applicable.
- Deliver the completed form to the DCRB drop box located at:
District of Columbia Retirement Board
Attention: Member Services Center (Open Enrollment)
900 7th Street NW, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20001
- Important: Please write "Attention: Member Services Center (Open Enrollment)" on the envelope to help ensure prompt processing.
- The drop box is available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.
- Please note appointments are required for any in-person consultations beyond drop box access.
Option 4: Submit by Mail
- Complete your enrollment form (including the OPEB enrollment form if enrolling in Medicare Advantage) and compile your required supporting documents, if applicable.
- Mail the completed enrollment materials to:
District of Columbia Retirement Board
Attention: Member Services Center (Open Enrollment)
900 7th Street NW, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20001
- Important: Please write "Attention: Member Services Center (Open Enrollment)" on the envelope to help ensure prompt processing.
REMEMBER: Retain a Copy for Your Records
Before submitting, keep a copy of all completed forms and supporting documents for your personal records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Health Insurance Coverage is Available to Me?
The District of Columbia offers four different health care providers. These include:
- Aetna Healthcare HMO, PPO or CDHP;
- Kaiser Permanente HMO;
- United Healthcare Choice Nationwide HMO and PPO
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueChoice HMO, PPO, or CDHP
If you are age 65 and over, you may be eligible to select one of the Medicare Advantage plans offered by the District of Columbia Employees’ Health Benefits Program. Medicare Advantage, also known as “Medicare Part C,” is offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide a beneficiary with Part A and Part B Medicare. The retiree must still pay the Part B premium.
Only current retirees who currently participate in a DC Employee Health Benefits plan and have Medicare Part A and Part B. Each enrollee must be Medicare-eligible. If a dependent is not Medicare eligible, the retiree may not enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan and must stay in a current non-Medicare plan. For example, If the retiree has a dependent who is not Medicare eligible, the retiree may not enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan if they wish to insure their dependent.
The carriers offering a Medicare Advantage plan through the District of Columbia Employees Health Benefits Program include Aetna, CareFirst (Blue Cross Blue Shield), Kaiser Permanente, and United Healthcare.
Are My Family Members Covered?
Yes, your eligible family members may be enrolled in your DCEHB coverage.
Do I Need to Submit Proof of My Family Member’s Eligibility?
Yes, the DCEHB program requires DCRB to periodically confirm the continued eligibility for dependents enrolled in the plan. If you add family members to your coverage, you are required to provide documentation to verify coverage eligibility for the dependents that you add during the Open Enrollment process or following a qualifying life event. Note: you must enroll during Open Enrollment or within 60 days of a qualifying life event. When you enroll online, you must also submit dependent eligibility verification. Failure to comply will result in a cancelation of health care coverage for that dependent.
Please do not send original documents or the actual certified copy with a raised seal. A copy of the document with the seal clearly visible is acceptable. Retain the original document(s) for your records. Each document must have the employee’s name and the last four digits of their Social Security number (read about securely submitting your information to DCRB). DCHR has the authority to determine whether the documentation satisfies the plan’s requirements. Any fees associated with obtaining documents are the employee’s responsibility.
Note: You are not required to provide annual verification for dependents currently covered by any DC Government health plan; however, the DC Government reserves the right to request supporting documentation at any time.
Covering Your Spouse
Provide a copy of one of the following:
- Most recent year’s 1040 Married Filing Jointly federal tax return that lists the spouse (black out financial information and dependents’ Social Security numbers)
- Subscriber’s and spouse’s most recent 1040 Married Filing Separately federal tax return (black out financial information and dependents’ Social Security numbers)
- Proof of common residence (example: a utility bill) and marriage certificate*
- Proof of financial interdependency (example: a shared bank statement; black out financial information.) and marriage certificate*
- Petition for dissolution of marriage (divorce)
- Legal separation notice
Covering Your State-Registered Domestic Partner or Legal Union Partner
Provide a copy of one of the following:
- Proof of common residence (example: a utility bill) and certificate/card of state-registered domestic partnership*
- Proof of financial interdependency (example: a shared bank statement; black out financial information.) and certificate/card of state-registered domestic partnership*
- Petition for invalidity (annulment) of domestic partnership or legal union
- Petition for dissolution of domestic partnership or legal union
- Legal separation notice of domestic partnership or legal union
Learn more about Domestic Partner Health Benefits, including eligibility, tax provisions, and documentation.
Covering Your Child(ren)
Provide a copy of one of the following:
- Most recent year’s federal tax return that includes the child(ren) as a dependent and listed as a son or daughter (black out financial information and dependents’ Social Security numbers)
- Birth certificate (or hospital certificate with the child’s footprints on it) showing the name of the parent who is the subscriber, the subscriber’s spouse, or the subscriber’s state-registered domestic partner**)
- Certificate or decree of adoption
- Court-ordered parenting plan
- National Medical Support Notice
- Original Foster child certification and a copy of documentation of regular and substantial support of the child***
- Disabled Child: Medical verification of disability prior to age 26
- Legal Custody: Copy of Court Order granting legal custody
- Step Child: Birth Certificate**, Copy of Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree or Custody Papers
You can submit one copy of your tax return if it includes all family members that require verification.
*If within two years of marriage or state-registered domestic partnership, then only the marriage certificate or certificate/card of state-registered domestic partnership is required.
**If the dependent is the subscriber’s stepchild, the subscriber must also verify the spouse or state-registered domestic partner to enroll the child, even if not enrolling the spouse/partner in DCEHB and DCEHB coverage.
***More than one of the following proofs may be required to show support of a recognized natural child who does not live with the enrollee in a regular parent-child relationship and for whom a judicial determination of support has not been obtained: Evidence of eligibility as a dependent child for benefits under other State or Federal programs; Proof of inclusion of the child as a dependent on the enrollee’s income tax returns; Canceled checks, money orders, or receipts for periodic payments from the enrollee for or on behalf of the child; Evidence of goods or services that show regular and substantial contributions of considerable value.
What Do I Have to Do?
You must submit acceptable proof of eligibility for each family member within 30 days of the open enrollment closing date, or they will automatically be removed from coverage.
What Happens If I Refuse to Send the Documentation?
If you do not provide the required documentation, your family members will be deemed ineligible and removed from coverage.
Ineligible Enrollment Consequences
The DCEHB program has strict rules to ensure the integrity and fairness of the system. Here are some key points:
- False Statements and Misrepresentation: Any intentionally false statement or willful misrepresentation, such as including ineligible family members on your health insurance plan, is considered a violation of the law. This can result in penalties, including fines up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both.
- Investigations: Violations may be subject to investigation, and individuals found guilty may face legal consequences.
- Eligibility: Only eligible dependents can be included in the health insurance plan. Providing false information about dependents can lead to serious repercussions.
- Penalties: The penalties for such violations are designed to deter fraudulent activities and ensure that the benefits are provided only to those who are rightfully entitled to them.
Updated as of 11/10/2026.