An overview of medical benefits and assistance in Maryland
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Medical assistance in Maryland is provided through a large variety of state and federal programs. This overview provides basic information about four categories of help that are available, as well as links to more detailed information about specific programs. The four categories are Medicaid, Medicare, the Maryland Health Connection, and a set of state programs designed to help with prescription drugs.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that provides free health care for low-income individuals. In Maryland, Medicaid is also called Medical Assistance. Medicaid can provide health insurance to pay for medical care such as doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, and more. Special Medicaid programs pay for care in nursing homes, or for long term services and support in your home or in an assisted living facility. Medicaid is also a very important program for people with disabilities.
You can find additional information on Medicaid program through the following links :
- Medicaid
- Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP)
- Healthy Kids Program (Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment)
- Maryland Children’s Medical Services (CMS)
- Medical Assistance for Nursing Home Care
- Medical Assistance – Aged, Blind and Disabled
- Disability Rights Maryland Publications - Adult Medicaid Services and Children Medicaid Services
Medicare
Medicare is a federal program for people who are age 65 or over. Medicare also covers people with disabilities who have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance for 24 months. Medicare does not pay for everything and people receiving Medicare must pay premiums and co-pays.
The following links provide additional information on Medicare and what is covered under the various parts of the Medicare program:
- Medicare program
- Medicare Part A: Pays for hospital care
- Medicare Part B: Pays for doctors and certain types of medical equipment
- Medicare Part C: Allows you to get managed care through private plans called Medicare Advantage plans
- Medicare Part D: Pays for prescriptions
Two Medicare programs that can help you pay your Medicare premiums and co-pays.
Maryland Health Connection
The Maryland Health Connection is Maryland's state-based health insurance marketplace. The marketplace was established as part of the Affordable Care Act, to provide access to affordable health coverage options for residents of Maryland. Through the Health Connection website, individuals and families can shop for, compare, and enroll in health insurance plans that meet their needs. Individuals and families can also determine eligibility for Medicaid and other assistance programs such as federal tax credits and cost-sharing reductions.
- To find out or apply for help, go to the Maryland Health Connection website.
- To see if you may be financially eligible, check the Maryland Health Connection Income Eligibility Fact Sheet.
More help with prescriptions
In addition to prescription coverage provided by Medicaid, Medicare, and Maryland Health Connection, there are special programs available to help with prescriptions:
- Maryland AIDS Drug Assistance Program (MADAP)
- Maryland Medicaid Pharmacy Program (MMP)
- Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program