The Bridge Plan is a subsidized health care plan from Kaiser Permanente. As a Bridge member you pay a low premium rate each month, and Kaiser Permanente covers the rest of the cost. The Bridge plan is intended to provide temporary coverage for a lifetime maximum of three years, as long as you continue to meet certain eligibility requirements.
What Is Covered by the Bridge Plan?
Care and services which members receive under the Bridge Plan include:
- specialty and preventive care
- women’s health services (obstetric and gynecological)
- laboratory and radiology
- pharmacy and vision
- health education classes
Also included in your coverage:
- emergency services (copayment waived with admittance)
- inpatient and outpatient hospital care
- behavioral health services
Find out about Kaiser Permanente hospitals and providers.
Eligibility Requirements to Apply for Bridge:
- You must live in the Kaiser Permanente service area.
- You must not be eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, medical assistance, or other health care coverage. Depending on the county where you live, your children may qualify for other available medical service programs. Please ask your community partner about health care alternatives for your children.
- You must be approved for membership in this program by our Bridge community partners.
- You must not be eligible for Kaiser Permanente coverage through an employer. If you were previously covered by Kaiser Permanente and lost coverage, loss of coverage must not be due to a failure to pay premiums or copays or for reasons outlined in the Evidence of Coverage.
- You may not apply if you are currently in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, psychiatric hospital, rehabilitation center, or chronic care facility. You may apply once you are discharged from such a facility.
- Your total annual household income must be less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level (see our chart below). “Income” includes your combined wages, unemployment benefits, interest earned, dividends, and government or private pensions.
- Your liquid assets must be less than $5,000 per applicant, plus $2,000 for each additional family member. “Liquid assets” include cash, savings, and checking account funds.
If you believe you qualify for the Bridge program, please call (301) 816-6477 and leave a message.
Income qualifications for the Bridge Plan.
Family Size |
Your annual household income must be below this amount to qualify for 95% subsidized premiums from Kaiser Permanente (our lowest rate). |
Your annual household income must be below this amount to qualify for 90% subsidized premiums from Kaiser Permanente. |
1 Person |
$19,058 |
$32,670 |
2 Person |
$25,743 |
$44,130 |
3 Person |
$32,428 |
$55,590 |
4 Person |
$39,113 |
$67,050 |
5 Person |
$45,798 |
$78,510 |
6 Person |
$52,483 |
$89,970 |
7 Person |
$59,168 |
$101,430 |
8 Person |
$65,853 |
$112,890 |
Cost of coverage*:
Individual, two-party, and family monthly rates:
MD Bridge Rate Sheet 90% |
Total Monthly Premium |
Kaiser Permanente Subsidizes |
Bridge member pays |
Individual |
$387.00 |
$348.30 |
$38.70 |
Two Party |
$775.00 |
$697.50 |
$77.50 |
Family |
$1,124.00 |
$1,011.60 |
$112.40 |
MD Bridge Rate Sheet 95% |
Total Monthly Premium |
Kaiser Permanente Subsidizes |
Bridge member pays |
Individual |
$387.00 |
$367.95 |
$19.35 |
Two Party |
$775.00 |
$736.25 |
$38.75 |
Family |
$1,124.00 |
$1,067.80 |
$56.20 |
Bridge Rate Sheet VA 90% |
Total Monthly Premium |
Kaiser Permanente Subsidizes |
Bridge member pays |
Individual |
$401.00 |
$360.90 |
$40.10 |
Two Party |
$802.00 |
$721.80 |
$80.20 |
Family |
$1,163.00 |
$1,046.70 |
$116.30 |
Bridge Rate Sheet VA 95% |
Total Monthly Premium |
Kaiser Permanente Subsidizes |
Bridge member pays |
Individual |
$401.00 |
$380.95 |
$20.05 |
Two Party |
$802.00 |
$761.90 |
$40.10 |
Family |
$1,163.00 |
$1,104.85 |
$58.15 |
Bridge Rate Sheet District of Columbia 90% |
Total Monthly Premium |
Kaiser Permanente Subsidizes |
Bridge member pays |
Individual |
$401.00 |
$360.90 |
$40.10 |
Two Party |
$802.00 |
$721.80 |
$80.20 |
Family |
$1,163.00 |
$1,046.70 |
$116.30 |
Bridge Rate Sheet District of Columbia 95% |
Total Monthly Premium |
Kaiser Permanente Subsidizes |
Bridge member pays |
Individual |
$401.00 |
$380.95 |
$20.05 |
Two Party |
$802.00 |
$761.90 |
$40.10 |
Family |
$1,163.00 |
$1,104.85 |
$58.15 |
*A premium will be due monthly. Rates are valid for individual plans offered to individuals and family plans offered to families. The rate of your coverage depends on you satisfying the eligibility requirements, including your income and total assets. Your rate also depends on where you live, and how many individuals or family members are enrolling. Offer is limited to people who live in the coverage area. Applicants are not subject to medical review. For contracts issued between 2/1/10 and 1/31/11, your rate is applicable through 1/31/11.
Length of Coverage
Because the Bridge Plan membership is intended for people facing short-term financial hardship, it is limited to a lifetime coverage period no longer than three years. After that time, members will be automatically enrolled in the Kaiser Permanente Health Plan and will be expected to pay the entire monthly premium. Bridge members have the option to decline this automatic enrollment by notifying Kaiser Permanente in writing (a letter will be sent to members with a card that can be completed and mailed back to us).
