Access to health services is important for youth who have aged out of foster care, and can make a difference in their successful transition to adulthood. The Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) in collaboration with the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) is committed to the seamless Medicaid enrollment of the District’s qualified former foster care youth.
The District of Columbia provides Medicaid coverage to youth who were in DC foster care and reside in the District. If a youth is eighteen (18) or older when aging out of DC foster care, the youth will be eligible to keep Medicaid until they move out of the District or turn 26 years old. If a former foster care youth moves out of the District, the youth cannot receive DC Medicaid.
Former foster care youth will still be able to get the same health services from any doctor, clinic or other health care provider who accepts Medicaid that they were able to access while they were in DC foster care.
Who is Eligible?
You may be eligible for Medicaid in the District under the Former Foster Care category, if you:
- Are eighteen (18) or over and under age twenty-six (26)
- Are residents of the District of Columbia
- Were in DC foster care at age eighteen (18) or older
- Were enrolled in DC Medicaid at the time they exited out of DC foster care
More information about Medicaid for Former Foster Care Youth in the District:
Are you still in DC foster care? Contact your CFSA social worker or transition planning team at CFSA.
Have you already exited out of DC foster care? Go online to DCHealthLink.com, call DC Health Link Customer Service toll-free at (855) 532-5465/TTY (855) 532-5465, go any ESA Service Center, or fax a completed DC Health Link application to (202) 671-4400.
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