Life is full of events that can instantly change our path. A sudden illness or injury, job loss, divorce, marriage, or childbirth can all bring significant changes to our lives, including financial strain. In these situations, having access to affordable healthcare can make all the difference. If you face life-changing events that impact your financial situation, Medicaid can provide a safety net and help you access the healthcare you need to get back on your feet. Find out if Medicaid is right for you.
Life-Changing Events
If you have one of these life events, you have 60 days to enroll or change plans.
- Getting married or divorced
- Having a child, adopting a child, or placing a child for adoption or in foster care
- Certain changes in income
- Moving to Maryland, and some moves within the state
- Gaining or losing a dependent
- Certain losses of other health coverage, such as job-based coverage
- Becoming ineligible for Medicaid or MCHP
- COBRA coverage period ends
- Change of citizenship or immigration status
- Incarceration or release from incarceration
- Change in status as an American Indian/Alaska Native
- Getting pregnant: you have 90 days from the time your pregnancy is confirmed to enroll.
- Turning 26 years old if you are enrolled in coverage on a parent’s plan. You have until the end of the year you turn 26 to enroll.
If you’re eligible for Medicaid or the Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP), you can enroll any time of year.
Who Qualifies?
Medicaid and Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP) offer free or low-cost health insurance coverage to adults under 65 and uninsured children under 19.
You may be eligible for Medicaid if your monthly income is up to approximately:
| If Your Household Size Is This |
Adults | Children (MCHP) | Pregnant Woman |
| 1 | $1,732 | $2,648 | N/A |
| 2 | $2,352 | $3,595 | $4,499 |
| 3 | $2,970 | $4,541 | $5,681 |
| 4 | $3,588 | $5,486 | $6,864 |
| 5 | $4,208 | $6,433 | $8,049 |
(Effective Feb. 1, 2024, subject to change. Visit www.MarylandHealthConnection.gov for additional family sizes and updates.)
Are you having a baby?
You may get free health care if you are not a U.S. citizen. Learn more about Healthy Babies Pregnancy and Postpartum Coverage here.
The only way to know for sure if you are eligible for Medicaid is to enroll.
How to Enroll
When you enroll for Medicaid, you will be asked to choose a Managed Care Organization (MCO). You can select Maryland Physicians Care.
Online at www.MarylandHealthConnection.gov
(Check your local public library for free access to computers and the Internet)
Visit your local Department of Social Services or Health Department
Download the free mobile app, Enroll MHC.
Call 1-855-642-8572 (Deaf & Hard of Hearing Use Relay Service).
What You’ll Need to Enroll
When you enroll for coverage, you’ll need to provide this information about yourself and each member of your household who is enrolling:
- Birthdates
- Social Security Numbers (or document numbers for legal immigrants)
- Citizenship or immigration status
- Tax returns for previous years
- Employer and income info (pay stubs, W-2 forms)
What is Included
- 24/7 Virtual Doctor Visits
- Urgent and Emergency Care
- Routine Primary Care Visits
- Lab Tests, Screenings, and X-rays
- Vision Care
- Prescriptions
- Dental Care through the Maryland Healthy Smiles program
- Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Newborn Care
- Breastfeeding Help 24/7
HealthChoice is a program of the Maryland Department of Health.
Enroll Online
Download the Enroll MHC app.
For more information, visit the Maryland Health Connection Medicaid Basics & Benefits page.
Enroll in Person
Contact your Local Health Department (PDF), Department of Social Service Office, or Connector Entity Navigator (PDF).
Enroll by Phone
Call Maryland Health Connection at 855-642-8572 (TTY: 855-642-8573) to apply over the phone.
