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Private Health Insurance vs. Obamacare in Maryland: An Honest Comparison
We sell both, so we have no reason to spin this. Here's the honest comparison for Maryland.
Where Obamacare (Maryland Health Connection) is better
Guaranteed acceptance regardless of health. Subsidies for qualifying incomes — the biggest discount available anywhere. Full coverage of pre-existing conditions with no exclusions. Medicaid is expanded (Maryland Medicaid) in Maryland. These are not small advantages; for a lot of people they're decisive.
Where private plans are better
Price, for healthy people above the subsidy line — often 30–50% less. National PPO networks on Cigna, Aetna and PHCS PPO versus local HMOs. Year-round enrollment. Month-to-month flexibility.
Where private plans are worse
Underwriting: you can be declined or have a condition excluded. No subsidies, ever. Some plans have caps on specific services — read the summary of benefits. Maryland runs its own state-based marketplace, Maryland Health Connection, and limits short-term plans to three months with no renewals. Private options here are narrower than in most states, so the honest answer is usually a careful comparison, not a promise of savings.
The rule we use
Subsidy → Obamacare. No subsidy + healthy → private, after we check your doctors are in the network. No subsidy + serious condition → Obamacare at full price, and we'll help you find the best one. Maryland has no state penalty for going without coverage, but the state tax return asks whether you had coverage so the state can help uninsured residents enroll.
Want both numbers for your situation? Check your options.