Marylanders can purchase the exact same ACA (Affordable Care Act) compliant individual or family health insurance plans from Maryland Health Connection (MHC) marketplace and directly from insurance companies that have plans on the MHC marketplace. You can buy the plans by contacting the insurance company directly, online at MarylandHealthConnection.gov or get free help from a licensed agent or broker.
Although MHC has restrictions on its ability to sell the policies to those without a legal immigration status, the same plans can be purchased directly from the insurance companies. Below, you will find information on how to buy a plan from an insurance company and information for MHC.
How to buy individual and family coverage outside of Maryland Health Connection
No matter what your immigration status is, you can buy the same coverage directly from the insurance company, or through licensed agents and brokers throughout Maryland.
CareFirst
Information on HMO and PPO plans offered by CareFirst can be found on their website:
https://bit.ly/carefirstindfamOnce an individual is ready to apply for coverage, they can do so by visiting:
https://carefirst.inshealth.comMember Support Line for individuals under age 65 seeking to purchase coverage:
800-544-8703, (local) 410-356-8000
Kaiser Foundation
Kaiser Permanente off-marketplace plans can be purchased by visiting: buykp.org or by calling 1-800-488-3590.
UnitedHealthcare
Wellpoint
If you choose to work with an agent or broker, you can check to make sure they are licensed to sell health plans in Maryland.
Purchasing from the Maryland Health Connection
Maryland Health Connection is for all Marylanders who need health insurance. It is Maryland’s official health insurance marketplace where you can shop, compare and enroll in quality health and dental insurance that fits your needs and your budget.
To be eligible for health insurance through the Maryland Health Connection, you must:
- Live in Maryland
- Be a U.S. citizen or be lawfully present*
- Not be incarcerated, except if you are incarcerated pending disposition
*If you are present in the U.S. under certain immigration statuses or if you have applied for certain lawfully present statuses, you may be eligible to enroll in a private health plan through Maryland Health Connection, the state’s official health insurance marketplace.
You can still apply for health coverage through Maryland Health Connection, even if not all of your family members have an immigration status that qualifies them for coverage. Individuals who are not requesting coverage will not be asked about their immigration status.
You do not need a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to apply for coverage. However, if you are requesting financial help and file taxes, you will be asked to provide your SSN.
For more information regarding Immigrant Families, immigration statuses, and purchasing on MHC, visit: https://bit.ly/mhcimmigrantfamilies
Approved Rate Example
The Maryland Insurance Administration approved rates for insurers, non-profit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations (“carriers”) that will offer health insurance plans in Maryland’s individual market that start January 1, 2026. The rates for individual health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will increase, largely due to the impacts of expiring federal tax credits. However, the state has created a new subsidy program for all ages for those who are under 400% of the federal poverty level to help offset the expiration of the enhanced federal subsidies. About 294,000 Marylanders are affected by the approved rates. The actual percentage by which the rates for a specific plan will change depends on the carrier and plan.
The chart below shows an example for a 40-year old individual living in the Baltimore metro region with approved monthly rates for the lowest-priced bronze, silver, and gold plans. Your rates may vary depending on your age, your family composition, the plan you choose, and whether that plan is purchased on or off Exchange.
To view the ACA rates for the current and past years, click here.
Example: 40-year old individual living in the Baltimore metro region
CARRIER
| NETWORK TYPE
| BRONZE
| SILVER
| GOLD
|
Carefirst BlueChoice
| HMO
| $339
| $371
| $452
|
Carefirst GHMSI/CFMI
| PPO
| $510
| $585
| $649
|
Kaiser Permanente
| HMO
| $328
| $344
| $414
|
Optimum Choice (UHC)
| HMO
| $283
| $342
| $391
|
Wellpoint Maryland, Inc.
| HMO
| $332
| $437
| $404
|
- Catastrophic plans generally are only available to young adults
- Bronze plans pay an estimated 60% of medical costs
- Silver plans pay an estimated 70% of medical costs
- Gold plans pay an estimated 80% of medical costs
- Platinum plans pay an estimated 90% of medical costs
Get free help with your health coverage!
The Maryland Insurance Administration has a Health Coverage Assistance Team (H-CAT) to assist consumers. If you have questions or concerns about health coverage for you or your loved ones, the H-CAT staff is here for you.
- Get answers to your health insurance questions.
- Address health insurance problems or concerns.
- File a complaint about your health insurance issue or concern.
- Connect you to resources.
Phone: 410-468-2442
