Medicaid & Health Insurance
The Health Department can help if you have questions, need information or want to apply. Contact us at 410-313-5845 or come into our offices at 8930 Stanford Blvd, Columbia, MD 21045. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm.
New Rules for Medicaid Coming Soon
A new federal law, H.R. 1 adds new requirements for up to 320,000 Maryland Medicaid members. The Maryland Department of Health, Maryland Health Connection, Managed Care Organizations and community partners are working together to help Maryland families navigate these new changes and stay covered.
What is changing?
Starting Jan. 1, 2027, the federal government is requiring new rules for some adults to keep Medicaid coverage.
These include:
- Show you are working or taking part in other activities (also called work requirements)
- Renew your Medicaid coverage twice a year
What is changing for immigrants?
Starting Oct. 1, 2026, some immigrants will no longer qualify for Medicaid coverage. This new law applies to adults, but not to children or people who are pregnant. Visit the Maryland Department of Health’s Immigration Status Requirements page for more information.
What do I need to do?
To get important messaging about these critical changes, we have to have your current contact information. Give us a call today at 410-313-5845 or email medicaid@howardcountymd.gov to make sure we can reach you with important updates. If you have questions about your Medicaid policy, visit the Health Department during normal business hours to get answers about your status. Learn more about How Medicaid is Going to Change from the Maryland Department of Health.
For more detailed information take a look at the following resources:
- Is My Medicaid Going to Change – MDH
- Medicaid Check-In – Maryland Health Connection
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Health Care Access Maryland Navigators Onsite
We have expanded the days and hours for Health Care Access Maryland (HCAM) navigators to be onsite to assist with questions about current Medicaid information and enrollment. Navigators from HCAM will be at our offices on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For more information call us at 410-313-5845.
Maryland Healthcare Assistance
Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of people, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women. Medicaid is administered by states, according to federal requirements.
The Health Department can help if you have questions, need information or want to apply. Contact us at 410-313-5845 or come into our offices at 8930 Stanford Blvd, Columbia, MD 21045. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm.
A new federal law, H.R. 1, as passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump, adds new requirements for up to 320,000 Maryland Medicaid members. The Maryland Department of Health, Maryland Health Connection, our Managed Care Organizations and community partners are working together to help Maryland families navigate these new changes and stay covered.
Starting Jan. 1, 2027, the federal government is requiring new rules for some adults to keep Medicaid coverage. These include:
- Show you are working or taking part in other activities (also called work requirements)
-
Renew your Medicaid coverage twice a year
When you renew, also known as reapplying, redetermination, or recertification, Medicaid checks your income to be sure you are still eligible. Certain Medicaid programs check your assets too.
Always Keep Your Contact Information Up to Date
A lot can change in a year, like your contact information. Update a change of address, phone number or email right away so you keep getting important information about your Medicaid coverage.
Call us today at 410-313-5845 or email medicaid@howardcountymd.gov to learn more!
State Resources
- Renew your Medicaid Coverage and Report Changes (Maryland Department of Health)
- New Requirements for Medicaid (Maryland Department of Health)
- Medicaid Check-In (Maryland Health Connection)
- How to Enroll in Medicaid (Maryland Health Connection)
Pregnant Maryland residents who previously did not qualify may now be eligible to receive full medical benefits through Medicaid during their pregnancy and up to 4 months after the baby is born. Medicaid pays for health care for people who cannot afford it. Medicaid is the same as Medical Assistance. Sign up for Medicaid as soon as you know you are pregnant so you can get the care you and your baby need right away.
You can apply:
- Online at marylandhealthconnection.gov
- By using the app: Apple or Android
- By calling 1-855-642-8572
- TTY users call 711 for Maryland Relay
- In person at a local Health Department
- In person at a local Health and Human Services Office
The Health Department can help if you have questions, need information or want to apply. Contact us at 410-313-5845, email medicaid@howardcountymd.gov or come into our offices at 8930 Stanford Blvd, Columbia, MD 21045. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm.
Participant Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, in part, you must:
- Be pregnant
- Live in Maryland
- Meet income limits
Medicaid may help pay for health care you had in the three months before you applied. To learn more, talk to Maryland Health Connection, or go to your local Health Department or Department of Social Services.
State Resources
The Maryland Departments of Human Services and Health have launched an updated easy-to-use benefits screener tool that will allow Marylanders to streamline access to many essential support programs. In just a few clicks, the Benefits screener invites Marylanders to discover what benefits they may qualify for, including:
- Food Assistance (SNAP)
- Cash Assistance (TANF, TDAP, PAA)
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Energy Assistance (OHEP)
- Medical Assistance (MA)
Visit MarylandBenefits.gov and click on "check eligibility" to get started.
Maryland residents are now eligible for discount prescription medicines through the website goodpill.org.
Anyone with a Maryland mailing address who faces high prescription costs can receive their prescriptions from Good Pill, regardless of insurance status.
Most prescriptions from Good Pill are available for $2 per month. To access the Good Pill pharmacy, Marylanders simply need to check the list of available medications, complete a one-time registration, and ask their health care provider to send their prescription to Good Pill. Prescriptions are typically available in 90 day supplies and are delivered to the patient’s home within 5-7 days.
For more information, read the full press release sent by Governor Wes Moore's office.