Medicaid and the Maryland Children’s Health Program offer free or low-cost health coverage to children whose household incomes are below certain income limits. There are higher household income limits for children than for adults. Your child may be eligible for Medicaid or MCHP even if you’re not.
Medicaid provides health coverage to children under the age of 21. MCHP provides health coverage to uninsured children under the age of 19, whose household incomes are too high to qualify them for Medicaid but are still below certain income limits. Uninsured children in higher income households may qualify for MCHP Premium. MCHP Premium requires a small monthly premium to enroll.
The best way to know if your child is eligible for Medicaid or MCHP is to apply. If your child is eligible for Medicaid or MCHP, you can enroll them at any time.
You can apply in the following ways:
Medicaid offers free health coverage
to eligible pregnant women. To be eligible, you must meet Medicaid
eligibility requirements and the income limits for pregnant women. Pregnant
women can be eligible for Medicaid at higher household income
limits than
other adults. You can apply for Medicaid at any point during your pregnancy.
The best way to know if you are eligible for Medicaid is to apply.
You can apply in the following
ways:
Former foster care youth under age 26 may be eligible for Medicaid if they were receiving foster care services and Medicaid in Maryland on their 18th birthday. Former foster care youth do not have to meet Medicaid income limits and qualify based on their status as former foster care youth.
You can apply in the following ways:
Adults under age 65 who do not have dependent children may be eligible for Medicaid through Maryland Health Connection. To be eligible, you must meet Medicaid eligibility requirements and the income limits for adults. The best way to know if you are eligible for Medicaid is to apply.
You can apply in the following ways:
Parents and caretaker relatives, including those who are age 65 and older, may be eligible for Medicaid through Maryland Health Connection. To be eligible, you must meet Medicaid eligibility requirements and income limits, and be a parent and caretaker relative of a dependent child under the age of 21. The best way to know if you are eligible for Medicaid is to apply.
You can apply in the following ways:
If you are disabled and Medicare-eligible, see People with Disabilities for information about applying for Medicaid.
If you are over age 65 and Medicare-eligible, see Seniors Age 65 or Older or older for information about applying for Medicaid.
If you need assistance with Medicare co-pays, deductibles and premiums, you can apply for Medicare Savings Programs.
If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and qualify for Medicare but are in the 24-month waiting period:
You may be eligible for Medicaid through Maryland Health Connection while you are waiting to receive Medicare if you meet certain Medicaid eligibility requirements and income limits. The best way to know if you are eligible for Medicaid is to apply.
You can apply in the following ways:
If you are disabled and currently receiving Medicare:
You may be eligible for Medicaid based on being disabled if you meet certain Medicaid eligibility requirements and financial criteria for disabled individuals.
Medicaid eligibility requirements and financial criteria for individuals who are applying based on being disabled are different than those used in Maryland Health Connection; therefore, you should apply for Medicaid through your local department of social services.
You can apply in the following ways:
Download the application to mail or take in person to your local Department of Social Services.
If you are disabled and employed:
You may be eligible for the Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) Program if you are between the ages of 18 to 64, are a citizen or qualified non-citizen, are employed, and meet program income limits.
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the Social Security Administration:
You are automatically eligible for Medicaid.
If you are disabled or over age 65 and receive SSI as well as Medicare:
You are entitled to full Medicaid benefits, which are provided as a wrap-around to Medicare once Medicare coverage begins. You may also be eligible for assistance with Medicare premiums, co-pays, and deductibles through the Medicare Savings Program.
You may be eligible for Medicaid based on being age 65 or older if you meet Medicaid eligibility requirements and financial criteria for individuals who are age 65 or older.
Medicaid eligibility requirements and financial criteria for individuals who are applying based on being age 65 or older are different than those used in Maryland Health Connection; therefore, you should apply for Medicaid through your local department of social services.
You can apply for Medicaid in the following ways:
Download the application below to mail or take in person to your local Department of Social Services.
Application for Medical Assistance (9701)
Application for Medical Assistance (9701) Spanish
If you are disabled or over age 65 and receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) as well as Medicare:
You are entitled to full Medicaid benefits, which are provided as a wrap-around to Medicare once Medicare coverage begins. You may also be eligible for assistance with Medicare premiums, co-pays, and deductibles through the Medicare Savings Program.
Long Term Care
Medicaid covers the cost of long-term care in nursing facilities for low income individuals who meet Medicaid eligibility, medical, and financial requirements.
You can apply for long term care in a nursing facility in the following ways:
Click here to locate the office in your county where you can apply for Long Term Care or mail your application to.
You can download the long term care application to take in person or mail.
Long Term Care/Waiver Medical Assistance Application (9709)
SSI Recipient/Community-Eligible Long Term Care/Waiver Medical Assistance Application (9709S)
For more information about the Long Term Care Program, click here.
Home and Community Based Waiver Programs
For information about Home and Community-based Waiver Programs and how to apply, go to the HCBS homepage.