District of Columbia medical assistance statutory framework

The D.C. Code establishes the District's Title XIX medical assistance authority, Medicaid benefit provisions, medical-assistance expansion authority, and reasonable-promptness application-processing requirements.

District of Columbia · Effective · Implementation Jul 4, 2026

What it is

What changed: D.C. Code § 1-307.02 authorizes the Mayor to submit a Title XIX medical assistance plan and modifications so the District can receive federal financial assistance for a medical assistance program established under that plan. D.C. Code § 4-204.05 requires the District state plan under Title XIX to provide that listed categories are eligible for full Medicaid benefits. D.C. Code § 1-307.03 authorizes a medical-assistance expansion program for adult District residents up to a statutory income threshold and allows implementation through managed care or fee-for-service arrangements, waivers, and state plan amendments. D.C. Code § 4-205.26 requires public and medical assistance applications to be approved or disapproved with reasonable promptness and sets application-processing timeframes subject to specified delays.
Why it matters: Caregiver-facing explainers need a DC statutory anchor before translating Medicaid, expansion coverage, application timing, and state-plan questions into operational guidance.
Who it touches: Family caregivers, People receiving careDC Medicaid applicants, DC Medicaid beneficiaries, SSI recipients, adult District residents, parent and caretaker relatives, people with disabilities, older adults, family caregivers
What it does: Plans, studies, registries or guidance

Sources

Last reviewed Jul 4, 2026. This is information, not legal advice; check the source for the current text.