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What Happens to My Health Insurance If I Lose My Job in Maryland? (2027)
Your employer coverage ends, usually on your last day or at the end of that month, but losing it opens doors that are normally closed. The key is acting within the deadlines.
When does coverage end?
Ask HR for the exact termination date. Many plans run through the end of the month; some stop on your last day. That date starts the clocks below.
Your options, and their deadlines
| Option | Deadline | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Marketplace special enrollment | 60 days after coverage ends (you can also apply up to 60 days before) | Based on income; tax credits often large if income drops |
| COBRA | 60 days to elect after you get the notice; can be retroactive | Full premium plus up to 2% |
| Spouse's employer plan | Usually 30 days | Their payroll share |
| Maryland Medicaid | Any time | Little or nothing |
| Private plan | Any month | Based on age and health |
COBRA vs. the marketplace
COBRA keeps your exact plan, doctors and deductible progress for up to 18 months (longer in some cases). It's the right call if you're mid-treatment, pregnant, or have already met a big deductible. But you pay what your employer used to pay too, often $700 to $2,500+ a month.
The marketplace is usually far cheaper, because tax credits are based on your expected 2027 income, and a layoff often lowers it. Unemployment benefits and severance count as income, so include them.
A useful trick: COBRA is retroactive. If you elect it within 60 days, coverage applies back to the day your job plan ended. Some people line up a marketplace plan and only elect COBRA if a big bill shows up during the gap. Just be sure you understand the rules before relying on it.
Maryland specifics
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. Starting January 1, 2027, most expansion adults ages 19 to 64 have to show 80 hours a month of work, school, job training or community service (or equivalent income) to keep Medicaid, unless they qualify for an exemption such as caring for a young child, a disability, or pregnancy.
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. Maryland also funds a state premium subsidy for marketplace enrollees ages 18 to 37, and state premium assistance continues in 2027.
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.
Don't forget
- Use your FSA balance before your last day; it usually doesn't carry over.
- Your HSA is yours to keep, and you can use it to pay COBRA premiums.
- Refill prescriptions and finish planned care while you're still covered.
For the bigger picture, read how to get health insurance without a job. Then check your options and we'll compare COBRA with everything else.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have health insurance after I lose my job?
Usually until your last day or the end of that month, depending on the plan. Ask HR for the exact date.
Is COBRA or a marketplace plan cheaper?
The marketplace is usually much cheaper, especially if your income drops enough for a large tax credit. COBRA makes sense mainly for continuity of care.
Does losing my job let me enroll outside open enrollment?
Yes. Losing job-based coverage gives you a 60-day special enrollment period on the marketplace.