LGBTQIA+ Healthcare and Maryland Medicaid: What’s Covered and How to Get Care

April 1, 2026

Everyone deserves access to respectful, equitable healthcare, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Through Maryland Medicaid, LGBTQIA+ members have protections related to eligibility, health coverage, and their care experience.

Healthcare Services Covered by Maryland Medicaid

Maryland Medicaid covers a wide range of services that support physical, mental, and sexual health.

Primary and Preventive Care

Preventive care helps you stay healthy and catch problems early. Covered services include:

Annual wellness visits
Immunizations
Cancer screenings (including cervical, breast, prostate)

Mental Health and Behavioral Health

Mental health is an important part of overall health. Services covered include:

Outpatient therapy and counseling
Prescription medicine
Substance use disorder treatment
Wellness and recovery support

Sexual and Reproductive Health

Maryland Medicaid supports reproductive and sexual health for all members. Covered services include:

Contraception and family planning
Pregnancy care
Sexually transmitted infection treatment
HIV prevention services
Pregnancy-related care

Protections for LGBTQIA+ Members in Maryland

Maryland has strong protections in place to make sure LGBTQIA+ members receive fair and respectful care.

These protections include:

Non-discrimination laws in healthcare settings
Medicaid protections against denial of medically necessary care
Coverage for certain gender-affirming services
The right to be addressed by your correct name and pronouns in healthcare settings

What is Gender-Affirming Care?

Gender-affirming care is healthcare that respects and supports a person’s gender identity. It helps people feel safe and supported when getting care. The gender-affirming services covered in Maryland include:

Hormone therapy
Puberty blockers (for eligible adolescents)
Mental health services related to gender dysphoria (the discomfort or stress a person may feel when their body or how they are seen does not match who they know themselves to be)
Certain gender-affirming surgeries

Everyone deserves care that is respectful, inclusive, and supportive. Maryland Medicaid provides coverage and protections to help make sure members of the LGBTQIA+ community receive the care they need.

Sources

https://maryland.carelonbh.com/behavioral-health-providers/behavioral-health-services/#:~:text=Maryland%20Medicaid%20covers%20a%20variety%20of%20behavioral,Peer%2Dsupport%20programs%20*%20Respite%20*%201915(i)%20services

https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/mch/Pages/MFPP_Main.aspx#:~:text=Services%20include:%20*%20Pregnancy%20prevention%20and%20birth,turned%20away%20based%20on%20ability%20to%20pay

https://www.marylandphysicianscare.com/frc/how-to-get-free-preventive-care-with-maryland-medicaid/#:~:text=This%20information%20does%20not%20constitute%20medical%20advice,cleanings%20*%20Vision%20screenings%20and%20eye%20exams

https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/hiv-prevention/

https://health.maryland.gov/mmcp/Pages/remprogram.aspx#:~:text=The%20Rare%20and%20Expensive%20Case%20Management%20(REM),care%20plan%20changes%20*%20Education%20and%20information

https://alivemaryland.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/MADAP-Glossary-082922A.pdf

https://govt.westlaw.com/mdc/Document/N597D7001796711EF903FE7C536CC66EA?viewType=FullText&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=CategoryPageItem&contextData=(sc.Default)#:~:text=affirming%20treatment%E2%80%9D%20includes:-,1.,of%20the%20State%20Government%20Article.