Maryland Department of Health
Maryland Medicaid Administration

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Welcome to Maryland Medicaid

​​What is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a public health insurance program. It is free or low-cost health insurance for eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. It is the largest health care program in the United States.

In Maryland, Medicaid covers about 1.5 ​million people. Nearly one in four Marylanders get their health insurance through Medicaid. Half of those covered are children. Locally, people also call it Medical Assistance.

​​​Maryland Medicaid News and Announcements​​
​​February 24, 2025 - Press Release
​Maryland Department of Health expands access to school-based mental health services for children and youth 

Baltimore, MD — The Maryland Department of Health has made it easier for families on Medicaid to access mental health services in schools for their children. The expansion allows Local Education Agencies to offer certain behavioral health services to all students enrolled in Medicaid. Previously, Medicaid payment for these services was limited to Medicaid-enrolled students who have an approved Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Read more...​
​January 30, 2025 - Notice: Carelon Provider Technical Assistance 

​Carelon team members will be available during virtual Office Hours from 11:00 a.m. to noon.  Providers can get real-time technical assistance including accessing credentials, problem solving authorization submission and more.  Find more information and register for Office Hours.

​January 30, 2025 - Notice: Carelon Provider Training

​Providers can find and register for an upcoming training webinar on a variety of topics. Visit Carelon’s Training & Education and select the monthly calendar. Select the training you want to attend and register. Providers can also find step-by-step training guides online anytime.

​January 30, 2025 - Notice: Carelon Provider Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

​The Maryland Department of Health and Carelon have compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions from providers as they navigate the transition from Optum to Carelon. These FAQs are an excellent starting point and provide quick access to information for providers.  View the FAQs and find more information by visiting Carelon Communications.

​January 22, 2025 - URGENT NOTICE: Behavioral Health Providers Must Register with Carelon to Receive Payment

On January 1, 2025, Carelon Behavioral Health assumed the role of the Administrative Service Organization (ASO) for Maryland’s Public Behavioral Health System (PBHS). Providers who were previously receiving authorizations and submitting claims under Optum must now register to access the Carelon Behavioral Health system. 

Learn how to Join the Network and reference the Carelon Get Started Guide to ensure a seamless transition. 

Reminders:

  • Register in the PaySpan portal.
  • Use your current Optum credentials to access the PaySpan portal.
  • Add Carelon to your existing account.
  • Input your Provider Identification Number (PIN), Tax Identification Number (TIN), and Carelon vendor code.
For more information, see the December 19, 2024, Provider Alert. If you are not receiving Carelon provider alerts, sign up now.

​January 22, 2025 - Update: Carelon Provider Payments 

​Carelon issued initial behavioral health provider payments on January 6, 2025. Carelon mailed paper checks to the provider address in ePREP. Providers should log into their ePREP account to verify the correct address is on file. Providers can view their pending payments in PaySpan. Carelon recommends that providers log into their PaySpan account to download their Payment Summary Vouchers (PVS), which has their PaySpan registration code and PIN required to set up their Electronic Funds Transfer. For more information, see the January 8, 2025, Provider Alert.
​​January 22, 2025 - Press Release
​​Maryland Department of Health receives CMS approval for reentry services and statewide expansion of housing supports

Baltimore, MD — The Maryland Department of Health has received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for two significant Medicaid programs. The first approval allows Maryland to provide targeted Medicaid services for incarcerated individuals who have substance use disorders (SUD) or serious mental illnesses (SMI) up to 90 days before their release, starting July 1, 2025. The second approval enables the statewide expansion of the Assistance in Community Integration Services (ACIS) program, adding 1,240 participant spaces to provide housing and tenancy-based case management services. Read more...​
​​December 18, 2024 - Press Release

​Maryland Department of Health announces expansion of Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly 

Baltimore, MD — The Maryland Department of Health today announced the expansion of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) from one location to four. This expansion will allow the state to serve up to 800 seniors, allowing more older adults to remain in their homes while receiving essential care within their communities. Currently, the program is only available through Hopkins ElderPlus in East Baltimore. Read more​...




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