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The Maryland Health Connection is the state-run health insurance marketplace for Maryland residents. It provides a way for individuals, families, and small businesses to compare insurance plans and find the right coverage to meet their needs. With the Maryland Health Connection, you can get quality, affordable health insurance that meets your needs. The Marketplace also offers subsidies to help lower the cost of coverage, and you can also find out if you’re eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Navigating the Maryland Health Connection can be overwhelming, but with the right information, you can find the health plan that meets your needs. Here’s what you need to know about the Maryland Health Connection.
Overview of the Maryland Health Connection
The Maryland Health Connection is the state-run health insurance marketplace for Maryland residents. It provides a way for individuals, families, and small businesses to compare insurance plans and find the right coverage to meet their needs. With the Maryland Health Connection, you can get quality, affordable health insurance that meets your needs. The Marketplace also offers subsidies to help lower the cost of coverage, and you can also find out if you’re eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Maryland Health Connection is open year-round, and each year, the open enrollment period is from October 1 to December 31. The open enrollment period is when you can buy or change your health insurance coverage for the next year. You can also sign up for health insurance outside of open enrollment if you have a qualifying life event, like losing your job or getting married.
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Eligibility for Health Insurance in Maryland
When you sign up for the Maryland Health Connection, you’ll need to answer a few questions about your income and household size. You may be eligible for health insurance depending on your answers and income level. In Maryland, you may be eligible for health insurance if you: Have a limited amount of money to spend on health care per year, have a job that doesn’t offer health insurance, have a low income, are a parent or legal guardian of a child, are pregnant, have a disability or chronic health condition, are 65 or older, have a child under the age of 19, or are a member of a federally recognized tribe.
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How to Sign Up for Health Insurance through the Maryland Health Connection
Navigate to the Maryland Health Connection website at www.marylandhealthconnection.gov.
Click on the “Visit our website” link on the homepage of the Maryland Health Connection website. Click on “Start Your Health Insurance Application.”
Enter your information to create an account or sign in using an account you created during open enrollment last year. After you log in, you can start your application by clicking “Continue.”
Choose between an application for coverage outside the open enrollment period or an application within open enrollment.
Select an application for coverage within open enrollment; you can enter information about a qualifying life event that led you to apply for insurance outside open enrollment.
Next, you’ll select the language and type of health insurance you’re applying for.
If you’re applying for coverage within open enrollment, you can complete the application in one sitting. If you’re applying outside open enrollment, you can complete the application in multiple sittings and submit it when it’s complete.
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Subsidies Available Through the Maryland Health Connection
Depending on your income, you may be eligible for a subsidy. A subsidy is a financial assistance that lowers the cost of your monthly health insurance payment. Subsidies are applied toward the cost of your monthly health insurance premium. If you qualify for a subsidy, you’ll be notified of the amount before you sign up for health insurance. Once you sign up for health insurance, the amount of your subsidy will be applied to your monthly premium. Depending on the type of health insurance you choose, you may not receive the full amount of your subsidy.
Different Types of Health Insurance Plans are Available Through the Maryland Health Connection
Health insurance plans vary by the amount of coverage they provide and the cost of the coverage. There are two numbers for each health insurance plan: the premium and the deductible.
The premium is the amount you pay each month to have health insurance.
The deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. You may also see acronyms like HSA, HRA, and MSA in health insurance plans. Here are a few different health insurance plans available through the Maryland Health Connection. - Bronze - Bronze plans have lower premiums and higher deductibles. - Silver - Silver plans have lower premiums and medium deductibles. - Gold - Gold plans have higher premiums and lower deductibles. - Platinum - Platinum plans have higher premiums and medium deductibles.
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How to Navigate the Maryland Health Connection Website
If you’re having trouble navigating the Maryland Health Connection website, you can make the process easier by bookmarking the pages you visit most often.
To bookmark a page on the Maryland Health Connection website, click the “Bookmark” button in the top-right corner of the page. You can also use “Favorites” or “Shortcuts” to help you navigate the Maryland Health Connection website.
On the Maryland Health Connection website, you can also search for the information you’re looking for. To search the Maryland Health Connection website, click the magnifying glass in the top-right corner of the page. You can search for specific health insurance plans, providers, eligibility requirements for health insurance, and more. You can also filter your search by using the drop-down menu under the magnifying glass.
Tips for Shopping for Health Insurance Through the Maryland Health Connection
When shopping for health insurance, you must know what you’re looking for. Health insurance plans vary, and it’s important to find a plan that meets your needs. Before you shop for health insurance, make a list of your healthcare needs. What type of coverage do you need? What health services do you need to be covered by your health insurance? What health services don’t you want to be covered by your health insurance? Once you have your needs listed, it will be easier to shop for health insurance. You can also use the “Compare Plans” section of the Maryland Health Connection website to compare plans based on your needs.
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Resources Available to Help you with the Maryland Health Connection
There are many resources available to help you with the Maryland Health Connection. Whether you’re applying for health insurance during open enrollment or outside open enrollment, help is available. You can contact the Maryland Health Connection customer service during open enrollment or outside open enrollment by calling 1-800-318-2596.
Customer service is available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST on Saturday.
You can also contact customer service through email at support@marylandhealthconnection.gov.
Customer service can help you with: Applying for health insurance. Applying for a hardship exemption. Changing your address. Changing your health insurance or subsidy amount. Changing your plan. Getting a new PIN.
FAQs about the Maryland Health Connection
Here are a few FAQs related to the Maryland Health Connection.
Q. What is the Maryland Health Connection?
A. Maryland Health Connection is the state-run health insurance marketplace for Maryland residents. It provides a way for individuals, families, and small businesses to compare insurance plans and find the right coverage to meet their needs. With the Maryland Health Connection, you can get quality, affordable health insurance that meets your needs. The Marketplace also offers subsidies to help lower the cost of coverage, and you can also find out if you’re eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Q. Who operates the Maryland Health Connection?
A.The Maryland Health Connection is operated by the state but
is run by the federal government.
Q. Can I apply for health insurance outside of open enrollment?
A. Yes! You can apply for health insurance outside of open enrollment if you have a qualifying life event, like losing your job or getting married. You can also apply for health insurance outside of open enrollment if you are having a baby or adopting a child.
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