New Health Insurance Options Begin on October 1 for Maryland Individuals and Families

Maryland is leading the nation when it comes to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and already thousands of Marylanders are experiencing more affordable, quality health care coverage.

Beginning October 1, the new health care law will allow Marylanders looking for health coverage to shop for health insurance through an online Marketplace called the Maryland Health Connection.

This online Marketplace provides individuals and families looking for coverage a new way to get health insurance. Marylanders can go to the Maryland Health Connection to:

• Shop, compare, and enroll in a plan that best meets their needs, their lifestyle, and their budget at any income level.
• Check eligibility for federal tax credits and subsidies to help reduce the cost of insurance. Approximately 75% of Marylanders purchasing their insurance through the Maryland Health Connection will be eligible for tax credits.
• Check eligibility for public health programs, such as Medicaid and Maryland Children's Health Program. If you never qualified for Medicaid before, you may now be eligible through the expansion of Medicaid in Maryland.
• Connect to a call center for assistance.

The open enrollment period for the first year of the Marketplaces runs from October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014.  Medicaid enrollment continues year-round. For those who enroll by December 18, health coverage will begin on January 1, 2014.

Marylanders looking for health coverage should go to www.marylandhealthconnection.gov or call the toll-free hotline 1-855-642-8572.

In-person assistance is also available at the following locations: 

• Prince George's County Health Department in Largo
• Prince George's County Department of Social Services in Upper Marlboro
• Calvert Healthcare Solutions in Prince Frederick
• Health Partners, Inc. in Waldorf
• Walden Sierra in Charlotte Hall