How to sign up for a Medicaid plan
Medicaid provides access to affordable healthcare, making sure you can get the medical services you need. Millions of Americans, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant individuals, elderly adults and people with disabilities, are covered by Medicaid plans.
Follow these steps to sign up:
When you have CareFirst CHPMD as your MCO...
When you have Medicaid with CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Plan Maryland (CareFirst CHPMD) you have access to over 15,000 healthcare providers—and so much more:
Help making doctors' appointments, connecting to local services, and managing your medications and health conditions.
Eligible members may receive up to 18 nutritious meals following an inpatient stay at a hospital. Verification of hospital stay is required.
No-cost prenatal visits, a breast pump, prenatal vitamins, nutrition counseling, a $125 gift card for infant care classes and a $125 gift card for baby needs.
Six months of nutrition coaching, wellness support and home-delivered meals, along with access to educational resources for 12 months.
Carelon provides mental health services. Visit their page or call 800-888-1965 for any benefit questions or helping locating a mental health provider.
Adults 21+: $0 copay for a routine exam (limit 1 every two years), $150 annual allowance for eyewear or contact lenses.
Under 21: $0 copay for a routine exam (limit 1 every year), contact lenses if there is a medical reason why glasses won’t work.
Doctor visits done through an easy-to-use app—same-day appointments available. Your dedicated Care Team can direct you to in-person or specialty care when needed. Register now with CloseKnit.
Get six free one-way rides for all non-emergency medical needs.
Dental services are covered by the state of Maryland’s Healthy Smiles Dental Program.
With a prescription from a provider, members can receive OTC items through the CareFirst CHPMD Formulary.
Already enrolled in a health plan, but like what you see?
Don’t worry. You can switch to CareFirst CHPMD at certain times during the year. Learn more about switching plans.
The best way to know if you're eligible is to check if you qualify for Medicaid through Maryland Health Connection.
Visit Maryland Health Connection to learn more about eligibility and engage with their household income calculator tool.
Maryland Health Connection is Maryland's official health insurance marketplace. Eligible persons can apply for Medicaid in 1 of these 4 ways.
- Go to MarylandHealthConnection.govMaryland Health Connection.
- Download the free Maryland Health Connection mobile app Enroll MHC for Apple or Android.
- Call Maryland Health Connection at 1-855-642-8572 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users, please dial 711.
- Visit your local health department or Social Services office.
After your application is complete and verified, you will receive a red and white medical assistance card in the mail within 14 days of enrolling. You can still get medical services even before you have received that card. Do not throw this card away.
An MCO is a healthcare organization with a network of primary care providers (PCPs), specialists, hospitals and other healthcare providers that offer benefits to Medicaid recipients. Your MCO provides your care.
There are 3 ways to choose CareFirst CHPMD as your MCO:
- Visit Maryland Health Connection and use the MCO search tool.
- Call 1-855-642-8572 (TTY: 711). Tell them you choose CareFirst CHPMD as your plan. You can also call to ask for a paper application.
- If you requested and completed a paper application, send it to the address on the form.
Need extra help?
If you have questions as you sign up for your plan, call Maryland Health Connection.
1-855-642-8572
8 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday–Friday
You can also visit a local health department, or a department of social services for help.
Pregnant people are encouraged to apply at local health departments. You can also call Maryland Medicaid’s Pregnant Members and Family Planning Helpline at 1-800-456-8900.
Making sure all babies get the medical care they need
Thanks to the Healthy Babies Equity Act, effective July 1, 2023, pregnant people in Maryland, regardless of immigration status, now have access to Medicaid coverage. The benefit provides coverage during pregnancy and four months after birth. Medicaid will pay for many different services, not just those related to pregnancy.