Maryland Health Insurance Marketplace: 2026 Health Connection Enrollment Guide
The Maryland health insurance marketplace is Maryland Health Connection — a state-run exchange at MarylandHealthConnection.gov that is separate from HealthCare.gov. Five carriers offer individual and family plans for 2026, and the state expanded its Premium Assistance subsidy program to all ages for the first time. This guide walks through how to enroll, what the marketplace offers, which carriers serve your county, and the key deadlines for 2026 coverage.
Where are you in the process?
How to Enroll in the Maryland Health Insurance Marketplace
Enrollment in the Maryland health insurance marketplace happens through MarylandHealthConnection.gov — not HealthCare.gov. Open enrollment for 2026 ran November 1, 2025, through January 15, 2026. The December 15 deadline applied for January 1 coverage. Approximately 80% of Maryland Health Connection applicants qualify for financial help, including the new Maryland Premium Assistance program expanded to all ages for 2026.
Create an account at MarylandHealthConnection.gov
Visit MarylandHealthConnection.gov or call 1-855-642-8572 for phone assistance. The single application determines eligibility for Medicaid, Maryland Premium Assistance, federal APTC, and unsubsidized marketplace plans. In-person help is available through Health Care Access Maryland (HCAM) navigators across the state.
Complete the application with income and household information
Provide household size, estimated 2026 income, Social Security numbers, and immigration documents (if applicable). Maryland Health Connection calculates your eligibility for both federal APTC and the state Premium Assistance program, applying the same federal premium tax credit rules the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sets for every state exchange. The Get an Estimate tool at MarylandHealthConnection.gov provides a quick preview before the full application.
Compare plans — including Value Plans
The Maryland health insurance marketplace offers certified Value Plans with lower out-of-pocket costs for frequently-used services like primary care visits and prescriptions. Starting in 2024, Value Plan costs were made clearer and more consistent across carriers. Compare carrier networks, drug formularies, and total annual cost across all five carriers available in your county.
Select a plan and make your first premium payment
Choose your plan and pay the first month’s premium to activate coverage. Coverage starts the first of the month following enrollment. For residents who missed open enrollment, qualifying life events trigger a 60-day special enrollment period. Maryland’s Easy Enrollment program offers an additional pathway through the state income tax return.
Not HealthCare.gov: Maryland is one of approximately 21 states that operates its own marketplace. Maryland residents cannot enroll through HealthCare.gov for individual coverage — all enrollment, subsidy calculations, and plan shopping happen at MarylandHealthConnection.gov or by calling 1-855-642-8572. Beware of websites that mimic the Maryland Health Connection name — always verify the URL before entering personal information.
Carriers & Plans on the Maryland Health Insurance Marketplace
The Maryland health insurance marketplace offers plans from five carriers for 2026 — including CareFirst BlueChoice (HMO), CareFirst GHMSI/CFMI (the only PPO on the exchange), Kaiser Permanente (HMO), Optimum Choice/UnitedHealthcare (HMO), and Wellpoint Maryland (HMO). CareFirst is the dominant carrier, covering nearly 60% of Maryland residents. Aetna exited the marketplace for 2026, displacing approximately 5,000 enrollees per the Maryland Insurance Administration.
| Carrier | Network Type | Silver Premium (Age 40, Baltimore) | 2026 Members |
|---|---|---|---|
| CareFirst BlueChoice | HMO | ~$355/month | ~126,000 |
| CareFirst GHMSI/CFMI | PPO (only PPO on exchange) | ~$510/month | ~22,000 |
| Kaiser Permanente | HMO (closed system) | ~$319/month | ~51,000 |
| Optimum Choice (UHC) | HMO | ~$302/month (lowest) | ~91,000 |
| Wellpoint Maryland | HMO | ~$397/month | ~1,000 |
Carrier availability on the Maryland health insurance marketplace varies by county. Baltimore City and the Baltimore metro area, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County typically have access to all five carriers. Rural counties on the Eastern Shore and in western Maryland may have three to four options. Kaiser Permanente is limited to its own hospitals and clinics in the Baltimore–Washington corridor — a strong option for residents near Kaiser facilities but not suitable for those who need broader provider access. The Best Health Insurance in Maryland guide profiles each carrier’s network strengths by region.
Check Your Maryland Health Connection Eligibility
Find out if you qualify for Maryland Premium Assistance and federal subsidies, compare plans from five carriers, and see your estimated 2026 monthly cost.
Enrollment Deadlines & Special Enrollment on Maryland Health Connection
The Maryland health insurance marketplace’s 2026 open enrollment ran November 1, 2025, through January 15, 2026, with a December 15 payment deadline for January 1 coverage. Outside of open enrollment, qualifying life events trigger a 60-day special enrollment period. Maryland also offers the Easy Enrollment program — a unique pathway that connects uninsured residents with coverage through their state income tax return.
| Deadline | Date | Coverage Start |
|---|---|---|
| Open enrollment begins | November 1, 2025 | — |
| Deadline for January 1 coverage | December 15, 2025 (enroll + pay) | January 1, 2026 |
| Open enrollment ends | January 15, 2026 | February 1, 2026 |
| Special enrollment (qualifying life event) | 60 days from event, year-round | 1st of month after enrollment |
| Easy Enrollment (via state tax return) | During tax filing season | Varies — exchange follows up |
Qualifying life events that trigger special enrollment on the Maryland health insurance marketplace include losing other health coverage, getting married, having or adopting a child, moving to a new Maryland county, and changes in income that affect eligibility. Per Maryland Health Connection, residents who experience a mid-year income change should report it immediately, as it may change Premium Assistance eligibility and reduce monthly costs.
Easy Enrollment: Maryland’s Easy Enrollment program allows residents to check a box on their state income tax return to share information with Maryland Health Connection. If the exchange determines you may qualify for free or low-cost health coverage, it follows up with enrollment assistance. This unique pathway has connected thousands of previously uninsured Maryland residents with Medicaid or subsidized marketplace plans without requiring a separate application.
Short-term plans are limited in Maryland — and not a real substitute: Maryland does allow short-term health insurance, but state law (HB1782) caps it at three months with no renewal, and these plans are not ACA-compliant — they can deny coverage for pre-existing conditions and skip essential benefits like maternity, mental health, and prescription drugs. They cannot replace marketplace coverage. If you have a coverage gap, a qualifying life event opens a 60-day special enrollment window on Maryland Health Connection, where Premium Assistance and federal subsidies can make a full ACA plan cheaper than a bare short-term policy.
Maryland Health Connection FAQ
Common questions about the Maryland health insurance marketplace — including how Maryland Health Connection differs from HealthCare.gov, what Maryland Premium Assistance covers, carrier availability, Value Plans, the Easy Enrollment program, and 2026 enrollment deadlines.
Is Maryland Health Connection the same as HealthCare.gov?
No. Maryland operates its own state-based marketplace at MarylandHealthConnection.gov. Maryland residents do not use HealthCare.gov for individual coverage. Maryland Health Connection has its own application, enrollment deadlines, and the Maryland Premium Assistance state subsidy program that is not available in HealthCare.gov states. Call 1-855-642-8572 for enrollment help.
What are Value Plans on Maryland Health Connection?
Value Plans are certified marketplace plans with lower out-of-pocket costs for frequently-used services like primary care visits and prescription drugs. Starting in 2024, Maryland Health Connection made Value Plan costs clearer and more consistent across carriers. Value Plans are available at multiple metal tiers and from multiple carriers — they are not a separate program but rather a plan design certification that makes common service pricing more transparent.
How many carriers are on Maryland Health Connection for 2026?
Five carriers offer individual plans for 2026: CareFirst BlueChoice (HMO), CareFirst GHMSI/CFMI (PPO — the only PPO on the exchange), Kaiser Permanente (HMO), Optimum Choice/UnitedHealthcare (HMO), and Wellpoint Maryland (HMO). Aetna exited the Maryland marketplace for 2026. CareFirst is the largest carrier, covering approximately 60% of Maryland residents across its two entities.
What is Easy Enrollment in Maryland?
Easy Enrollment is a Maryland-specific program that allows residents to check a box on their state income tax return to share information with Maryland Health Connection. If the exchange determines you may qualify for free or low-cost coverage, it follows up with enrollment assistance. This pathway has helped thousands of uninsured Maryland residents connect with Medicaid or subsidized marketplace plans without completing a separate application.
Can I enroll outside of open enrollment in Maryland?
Yes, if you experience a qualifying life event — such as losing other health coverage, getting married, having a child, or moving to a new Maryland county. You have 60 days from the event to enroll through Maryland Health Connection. The Easy Enrollment program provides an additional pathway during tax filing season. Medicaid enrollment through Maryland Health Connection is available year-round with no enrollment period restriction.
Can I buy short-term health insurance in Maryland?
Yes, but with tight limits. Maryland allows short-term plans under state law (HB1782), capped at three months with no renewal. These plans are not ACA-compliant — they can deny coverage for pre-existing conditions and exclude essential benefits like maternity, mental health, and prescriptions. They work only as a stopgap, not a substitute for marketplace coverage. For most people with a coverage gap, a subsidized Maryland Health Connection plan through a special enrollment period costs less and covers far more than a short-term policy.
More Maryland Health Insurance Guides
Explore related guides for the Maryland Health Connection marketplace — the statewide overview, affordable coverage and subsidies, carrier comparisons, individual and small business plans, and nationwide PPO options.
Plans, carriers, costs, and enrollment across the state.
Affordable Coverage & SubsidiesPremium Assistance, Medicaid, and low-cost plan options.
Best Plans & CarriersCareFirst, Kaiser, and UHC ranked and compared.
Individual & Private PlansCoverage options for individuals and families in Maryland.
Small Business Group PlansGroup coverage options for Maryland employers.
Nationwide PPO PlansFlexibility for specialists and out-of-network care.
Enroll in Maryland Health Connection
Compare 2026 plans from five carriers, check Maryland Premium Assistance eligibility, and get enrollment assistance at no cost.
Broker Disclosure
ForHealthInsurance.com is an independent health insurance agency serving Maryland residents. We are not affiliated with any carrier or government agency. We help you compare plans and enroll in coverage that meets your needs at no extra cost to you.