Maryland Health Insurance
Maryland Health Insurance: Free Help Comparing ACA and Private Plans
Licensed in Maryland — helping you online, from Baltimore to the Eastern Shore.
I help Maryland individuals, families, and self-employed professionals compare their health insurance options and enroll — all online by phone or video, at no cost to you. I'll show you ACA plans through Maryland Health Connection and private plans side by side, so you can choose what fits your health, your doctors, and your budget.
Maryland Runs Its Own Marketplace: Maryland Health Connection
Marylanders shop for ACA plans and financial help through the state's own marketplace, Maryland Health Connection — not HealthCare.gov. Maryland also offers some of the strongest state financial help in the country, on top of federal tax credits. About 255,000 Marylanders enrolled for 2026. You can even start the process by checking a box on your Maryland tax return (Easy Enrollment).
What's Changing for 2027 in Maryland
Open Enrollment runs November 1, 2026, through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 31, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027.
Five insurers offer plans on Maryland Health Connection for 2027. Plans and networks can change each year, so review your renewal notice carefully.
Approved rate increases average 14.6% before subsidies. Because federal subsidies adjust each year, most enrollees who qualify pay less than the full increase.
Enhanced federal tax credits expired, but Maryland's state premium assistance now covers enrollees of all ages with income up to 400% of the federal poverty level, partly replacing that lost help. Young adults ages 18 to 37 may also get an extra state subsidy.
Maryland's reinsurance program, in place since 2019, helps keep full-price premiums lower than they would otherwise be.
ACA or Private: Two Paths for Marylanders
ACA plans accept everyone, with no health questions, and can't turn you down or charge more because of a pre-existing condition. Private plans are offered outside the marketplace and ask health questions, so eligibility depends on your answers — but for healthy people, private plans may cost less, and many are available year-round. I'll compare both for you, and if a private plan isn't the right fit, an ACA plan is always an option.
Need Coverage Outside Open Enrollment?
If you have a qualifying life event — like losing other coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby — you can enroll in an ACA plan during a Special Enrollment Period. Maryland has expanded Medicaid, and applications for Medicaid are accepted year-round. And depending on eligibility, private plans are often available any time of year.
How I Help Marylanders — Always Free
I'll learn about your household, your budget, and the doctors you want to keep, then walk you through the ACA and private options available in your ZIP code in plain English. I'll check your doctors and prescriptions, help you apply for any financial help you qualify for, and handle enrollment from start to finish. My help is free — plan prices are the same with or without a broker.
Maryland Health Insurance FAQ
When is Open Enrollment in Maryland for 2027?
November 1, 2026, through January 15, 2027, through Maryland Health Connection. Enroll by December 31, 2026, for coverage starting January 1.
Do Marylanders use HealthCare.gov?
No. Maryland runs its own marketplace, Maryland Health Connection, where federal and state financial help are available.
Does Maryland offer extra help beyond federal tax credits?
Yes. Maryland's state premium assistance helps enrollees with income up to 400% of the federal poverty level, and young adults ages 18 to 37 may qualify for an additional state subsidy. I'll check what you qualify for.
Do we need to meet in person?
No. All consultations are online by phone or video, anywhere in Maryland.
Is your help free?
Yes. Brokers are paid by the insurance carriers, so your price is the same.
Reviewed by Heath Heimlich, licensed health insurance advisor (NPN 8799018). Sources: Maryland Health Connection; healthinsurance.org. October 2026.