Maryland Health Insurance

For Maryland residents, there are a number of health insurance plans available from multiple health insurance companies. It’s very important for compare your options carefully to ensure you find the right coverage for you and your family. Consider all your medical needs including annual checkups, preventive services, medications, and reproductive care for women.

Every state in the U.S. has different laws governing health care coverage. That’s why it’s a good idea to understand the ins and outs of how Maryland health insurance works. You should also be aware of the public health insurance programs in Maryland for which you may have access.

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Resources on this page

Maryland Health Insurance Laws and Regulations

Public Health Insurance Programs for Maryland Residents

Maryland Health Insurance High Risk Pools

Maryland Health Insurance Companies

Contact Info for the Maryland Insurance Administration and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Maryland Health Insurance Laws and Regulations

Maryland health insurance companies look at health history and pre-existing conditions before accepting applicants. If a resident is denied coverage, they can obtain health insurance from the state's high-risk pool, the Maryland Health Insurance Plan.

Individuals who recently left an employer's group health plan are protected under the federal law HIPAA. Under HIPAA, Maryland health insurance companies cannot require exclusion or waiting periods for coverage.

In the individual insurance market, all Maryland health insurance plans are required by law to cover these medical services:

• Care involved with clinical trials
• Screening for breast, prostate, and cervical cancer
• Care for pregnant women
• Hearing aids for children
• Contraceptives

Maryland health insurance companies also must provide mental health conditions with equal coverage limits and maximums as physical conditions.

Health plans are also guaranteed renewable, which means an insurance company can't cancel a policyholder's coverage if he or she gets sick or injured.

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Maryland Public Health Insurance Programs

There are several public Maryland health insurance programs that help low-income residents get health insurance coverage. They include:

• Medicaid (HealthChoice)
  Low-income and disabled residents of Maryland may have access to full health coverage through Medicaid. In Maryland, Medicaid benefits are typically provided through the mandatory managed care program, HealthChoice. Learn more about Maryland Medicaid and HealthChoice.

• Maryland's Children's Health Program (MCHP)
  For low-income children who do not qualify for Medicaid, they can receive free health care coverage through MCHP. Children in higher-earning families may still qualify for MCHP coverage, but must pay a low monthly premium through the MCHP Premium Program. To learn more about this Maryland health insurance program for children, visit the program website.

• Maryland Primary Adult Care Program
  This program offers low-earning adults free primary care visits, such as routine doctor's check-ups. Find out more about the program online.

• Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program
  Maryland also offers residents prescription drugs for as low as $1 per prescription. Learn more about the Pharmacy Assistance program here.

• Maryland Breast and Cervical Cancer Program
  This program offers low-income women free mammograms and screening for cervical cancer. Women diagnosed with cancer through this program can receive full health insurance benefits through Medicaid. Learn more about this Maryland health insurance program for women here.


• Maryland Medicare
  Seniors can find Maryland health insurance through Medicare Advantage, Supplement and Original Medicare.

Some residents of Maryland are eligible to receive the Federal Health Coverage Tax Credit, which helps pay for health insurance premiums. To find out if you're eligible, visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) online.

To get more information about Maryland health insurance programs, visit http://dhmh.state.md.us/mma/.

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Maryland Health Insurance High Risk Pool

Residents in Maryland with medical conditions can get health insurance coverage through the temporary high risk pools created under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) in Maryland will work similar to regular Maryland health insurance plans and require enrollees to pay monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Enrollees in the Maryland program will pay around the same amount that people without medical conditions pay for health insurance. The estimated monthly premium costs for Maryland residents will range from $141 to $328. The out-of-pocket limit is set at $1,500 for a plan with a $1,500 deductible.

Those eligible for the Maryland health insurance program will have health insurance benefits for prescription drugs, doctor and hospital visits, emergency services and more.

Individuals may apply for the Maryland plan if they have a medical condition, have been without health insurance for six months and are a United States citizen.

For more information on the Maryland health insurance high risk pools visit http://www.healthcare.gov/index.html.

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The following list of companies offer Maryland health insurance plans:

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Maryland Insurance Administration and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Find the contact information for the Maryland health insurance administration and health departments at:

Go to Top of the Maryland Health Insurance Page