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How to Get Health Insurance in Maryland in 2027: 6 Places to Apply
"How do I get health insurance in Maryland?" has more than one answer, because there are six different doors, and which one is open depends on your income, your job and the time of year.
1. The marketplace
Maryland Health Connection sells ACA plans and calculates your premium tax credit. Nobody can be turned down for health conditions. In Maryland, open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs on Maryland Health Connection from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Pick a plan by December 31, 2026 if you want coverage to start January 1, 2027; plans picked after that start later.
2. Medicaid or CHIP
You can apply any time of year, and there's no enrollment window. Maryland expanded Medicaid, so adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level (about $22,025 a year for one person) can generally qualify for Maryland Medicaid. Children's coverage usually has higher income limits than adult coverage.
3. Your employer or a spouse's employer
If you work 30 or more hours a week at a large employer, ask HR. Enrollment is usually in the fall or within 30 to 60 days of starting a job or having a life event.
4. A licensed agent or broker
An agent can enroll you in marketplace and private plans, and doesn't cost you extra. See what agents and brokers do and what they cost.
5. Directly from an insurance company
You can buy straight from a carrier, but you'll only see that company's plans, and a tax credit only applies if the plan is on the marketplace.
6. A private plan outside the marketplace
Outside the marketplace, private shared-network plans are sold in Maryland on leased PPO networks (Cigna, Aetna and PHCS PPO). They're medically underwritten, so they ask health questions and price on age and health instead of income, but you can enroll any month and coverage starts on the 1st. Maryland limits short-term plans to three months with no renewals, and several private plan families aren't offered here, so private options are narrower than in most states and the honest answer is a careful comparison rather than a promise of savings.
What to have ready
- Everyone's date of birth and Social Security number (or immigration document numbers for those applying).
- Your best estimate of 2027 household income. For freelancers, that's net income after business expenses.
- Your doctors' names and your prescriptions, so you can check networks and drug lists.
- Any offer of job-based coverage in your household.
Missed the deadline?
A qualifying life event reopens enrollment for about 60 days. Read how open enrollment works. If you don't qualify, private plans or waiting for the next window are the usual answers. Maryland also funds a state premium subsidy for marketplace enrollees ages 18 to 37, and state premium assistance continues in 2027.
Check your options and we'll tell you which door fits.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for health insurance in Maryland?
Most people apply on Maryland Health Connection. If your income is low, you can apply for Maryland Medicaid at any time. A licensed agent can also enroll you in marketplace or private plans.
Can I get health insurance without going through the marketplace?
Yes. You can get coverage through an employer, Medicaid, directly from an insurer, or through private plans sold outside the marketplace.
What do I need to apply?
Dates of birth, Social Security numbers, an estimate of 2027 household income, and any job-based coverage offers. Have your doctors and prescriptions handy to check networks.