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Low-Cost Insurance Programs

The following low-cost insurance programs are available to uninsured children and adults who qualify.

Click on each program's name to obtain more information about eligibility and registration. Also, ask insurance carriers in your county if they offer low-cost coverage for young adults.

    Maryland Health Connection
    Maryland Health Connection is Maryland’s official health insurance marketplace. It offers Marylanders a range of health coverage options from health insurance carriers and public health care programs. You can get the coverage you need online, over the phone or in person. Maryland Health Connection is also the only place in Maryland where individuals, families, and small businesses can get financial help with their health coverage costs, if they qualify.

    Maryland Medicaid
    Participants and applicants can find information on how and where to apply for Medicaid benefits. To be eligible for Medicaid, applicants must meet Medicaid eligibility requirements?. Medicaid requirements are based on state and federal law. Some requirements, such as income limits, vary for different groups of people and household sizes. Children and pregnant women, for example, may be eligible at higher household income limits. 

    Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP)
    The Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP) gives full health benefits for children up to age 19. MCHP enrollees obtain care from a variety of Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) through the Maryland HealthChoice Program. 

    Maryland Healthy Kids Program
    Promotes access to and ensures availability of quality health care for Medical Assistance children, teens and young adults less than 21 years of age. The Program provides appropriate practice-based performance improvement assessments and targeted interventions to enhance the quality of health services delivered by Medicaid providers to eligible recipients less than 21 years of age.

    HealthChoice
    The HealthChoice Program provides health care to most Medicaid participants. Eligible Medicaid participants enroll in a Managed Care Organization (MCO) of their choice and select a primary care provider (PCP) to oversee their medical care.

    Family Planning Program
    Provides family planning benefits to eligible low-income women and men. 

    Medicare
    Our Medicare section offers comprehensive, official information provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The official government handbook, 'Medicare & You,' includes sections on Medicare coverage choices, choosing a prescription plan, financial assistance, your Medicare rights, and more.

    View, download or print 'Medicare & You' in PDF format.

    For more information about the Medicare Advantage Plans, other Medicare Health Plans, or Medicare Prescription Drug Plans available in your area, visit medicare.gov on the Web or call (800) MEDICARE (800-633-4227). TTY users should call (877) 486-2048.

    Learn more about private insurance enrollment for Medicare D.


    SHIP is a free health benefits counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their families or caregivers. SHIPs mission is to educate, advocate, counsel and empower people to make informed healthcare benefit decisions. SHIP is an independent program funded by Federal agencies and is not affiliated with the insurance industry.

    In Maryland, the program is known as the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). For more information, please click here or call (800) 243-3425.