Click on a question below to learn more.
- If you or a member of your family are enrolled in Medicaid, the Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP) or MCHP Premium, you will reapply for coverage once a year.
- If you are enrolled in private health insurance, called a Qualified Health Plan, you will re-enroll during Open Enrollment (November 1st – December 15th) or at another time if you have certain life changes, called qualifying life events.
- If you received a letter to reapply or shop for plans (or if you think it’s time for you to do so), here are ways to renew your coverage.
- Our consumer support center offers assistance Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Call us at 410-500-4710.
- Visit one of our office locations.
- Download the free Enroll MHC app to enroll in Medicaid/MCHP, view notices, upload verification documents and more. Available on Google Play or the App Store.
- Call the Maryland Health Connection Call Center at 1-855-642-8572.
- Medicaid is a health insurance program for children, families, pregnant women, and single adults residing in Maryland who qualify for the program based on factors such as household size, income, and citizenship/immigration status. Many health care services are free or low-cost. Benefits include primary care, prescriptions, visits to specialty care, behavioral health care, and hospital care. Most Medicaid recipients will have the opportunity to select a Managed Care Organization (MCO), which determines which healthcare providers a member can see.
- The Maryland Children’s Health Program gives full health benefits for children up to age 19. Some recipients may be enrolled in MCHP Premium which requires a small monthly payment. Both MCHP and MCHP Premium are a part of Medicaid.
- To make MCHP Premium Payments please visit https://mmcp.health.maryland.gov/chp/Pages/payments.aspx or contact the MCHP Premium Case Management Unit by calling 410-767-6883 (toll free: 1-866-269-5576)
- For additional information about the Maryland Children’s Health Program please visit the following website: https://mmcp.health.maryland.gov/chp/Pages/Home.aspx
- Government-issued ID with birthdate
- Social security numbers (or document numbers for any lawfully present immigrants who need insurance)
- Birthdates and general information about you and your family members who are applying for health coverage
- Employer and income information for everyone in your family (for example, paystubs or W-2 wage & tax statements)
- Policy numbers for any current health insurance
- Information about any job-related health insurance available to your family
If you have any questions about the documents you need, call HCAM’s call center at 410-500-4710.
You can apply for coverage at any time if you qualify for Medicaid. You can get coverage through a commercial insurance carrier during Open Enrollment, November 1 through December 15, or if you have experienced certain life events. Click here for more information.
- Yes, Maryland Health Connection offers a special enrollment period for pregnant individuals. You can enroll in Medicaid or a Qualified Health Plan, depending on your household income.
- Individuals who are not otherwise eligible to enroll on Maryland Health Connection, such as those who are not lawfully present, may be eligible for Medicaid coverage of emergency medical services, including labor and delivery services. Contact your local Department of Social Services for additional information on qualifying for emergency medical assistance.
You should report changes to your income by updating your application online or reaching out to our Call Center at 410-500-4710. You can also contact Maryland Health Connection for assistance by calling 1-855-642-8572.
If you disagree with a decision made by Maryland Health Connection, you may request a case review. You may file an appeal via phone, email or regular mail.
When you have certain life changes, you need to report that to Maryland Health Connection, as it may impact your eligibility or the amount you pay for your premiums.
Filing taxes is important and may impact your health insurance eligibility and health plan expenses. If you or a member of your household was or is enrolled in health coverage through Maryland Health Connection, you will receive a 1095-A and/or a 1095-B form that must be used to complete form 8962, Premium Tax Credit when filing your taxes. Individuals enrolled in Qualified Health Plans must file taxes to ensure their coverage and financial assistance continue, even if they otherwise wouldn’t need to file.
Click here for information about using these forms to file your taxes.
For information about free tax preparation assistance, please click here.
A Managed Care Organization is a healthcare organization that provides services to Medicaid recipients by working with a network of licensed/certified healthcare providers. MCOs are part of Maryland’s Medicaid Managed Care Program called HealthChoice. For more information about MCO options and benefits, please visit: https://mmcp.health.maryland.gov/healthchoice/pages/Home.aspx
You must choose an MCO or you will be assigned one. You can select your MCO in the following ways:
- Online at https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/
- Download and use the “Enroll MHC” app on your device
- Call the Maryland Health Connection Call Center at 1-855-642-8572 (Maryland Relay users dial: 7-1-1)
- Visit your local health department
We know that many immigrant families are of “mixed status,” with members having different immigration and citizenship statuses. Some families may have members who can’t enroll in health insurance through Maryland Health Connection, alongside other family members who are eligible to enroll, like lawfully present immigrants. Click here for more information about who is eligible: https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/MHC_Factsheet_ImmigrantFamiliesEligibility.pdf
A Private Health Plan or “Marketplace plan” is a health plan that has been certified by Maryland Health Connection to meet certain standards. All private health plans are considered minimum essential coverage and cover the 10 essential health benefits.
All plans offered through Maryland Health Connection provide the 10 Essential Health Benefits required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. These include:
- Doctor visits
- Hospital stays
- Maternity and newborn care
- Mental health and substance use disorder treatment (includes counseling and psychotherapy)
- Prescriptions
- Emergency visits
- Rehabilitative services
- Laboratory tests
- Preventive and wellness management
- Pediatric care
If you have questions about your bill, contact your insurance company directly:
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield: 855-444-3121
- Kaiser Permanente: 866-475-3920
- Delta Dental: 1-800-471-0275 (PPO) or 1-800-471-9925 (Alpha DC-USA)
- Dominion Dental: 1-888-518-5338
In addition to your monthly bill, or premium, you may have to pay out-of-pocket costs when you use certain medical services. Here are some common terms.
- Deductible: The amount you owe for health care services before your health insurance begins to pay.
- Coinsurance: Your share of the costs of a covered health care service. This is calculated as a percent (for example, 20%) of the allowed amount for the service.
- Copayment (copay): A set amount you pay for a covered health care service. For example, your copayment to see your primary care provider when you’re sick may be $15.
Learn more about deductibles, coinsurance and copayments here.
A network is the list of the doctors, health care providers, and hospitals that a health plan has contracted with to provide medical care to its members. To find a doctor who participates in your health plan or Managed Care Organization, visit Maryland Health Connection’s Find a Doctor tool.
Looking for events in your community where you can meet a navigator? Click here for Maryland Health Connection’s outreach and events calendar.
