Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
If you are a single mother in Maryland and need health coverage, start with Maryland Health Connection. It is the state marketplace and the main place to apply for Medicaid, the Maryland Children’s Health Program, and private plans with financial help.
Medicaid and MCHP are open all year if you qualify. Private health plans usually have open enrollment from November 1 to January 15, but you may qualify sooner after a life change, such as losing coverage, having a baby, moving, or getting married.
This guide is about getting coverage and care. It does not give medical advice. For care decisions, talk with a doctor, clinic, health plan, or licensed provider.
Urgent help first
If someone may die, cannot breathe, has chest pain, severe bleeding, signs of stroke, or another medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
If you are in a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988 Maryland. For help with food, shelter, health care referrals, and local services, call 211 or use 211 Maryland.
If you already have Medicaid and cannot reach your plan, call the HealthChoice helpline at 800-284-4510.
Where to start
Choose the path that fits your problem today. You do not have to know every program name before you apply.
I need insurance
Apply through Maryland Health Connection. Ask if you qualify for Medicaid, MCHP for your children, pregnancy coverage, or a private plan with help paying premiums.
My child needs care
Apply for MCHP even if you think you make too much for adult Medicaid. Maryland says a child may qualify even when the parent does not.
I am pregnant
Apply as soon as you can. Pregnant women are encouraged to apply through local health departments, and there is a pregnancy and family planning helpline.
I have a bill
Ask the hospital for financial assistance before you set up a payment plan. Maryland acute care hospitals must provide a common financial assistance application on request.
For more general Maryland help, see ASMOM’s Maryland state help. For a national Medicaid overview, use the Medicaid guide.
Quick reference: health care help in Maryland
| Need | Start here | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health coverage | Medicaid enrollment | “Can I apply for Medicaid, MCHP, or a private plan?” | They may ask for documents before approval. |
| In-person help | free local help | “Can a navigator help me apply?” | Bring income, ID, and household details. |
| Children’s coverage | MCHP page | “Can my child qualify even if I do not?” | Children’s limits are higher than adult limits. |
| Dental care | Healthy Smiles | “How do I find a dentist who takes Medicaid?” | Some offices may not take new patients. |
| Medical bill | hospital application | “Can I apply for free or reduced-cost care?” | Apply through the hospital that billed you. |
Maryland Medicaid income limits for 2026
Maryland updates Medicaid income limits each year. The state says these limits apply when you apply through Maryland Health Connection, and you may still be eligible if your income is above the listed amount because some income may not count.
The table below uses the official 2026 income limits effective February 1, 2026.
| Household size | Adults | Children | Pregnant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,835/month | $4,283/month | N/A |
| 2 | $2,490/month | $5,809/month | $4,763/month |
| 3 | $3,142/month | $7,332/month | $6,011/month |
| 4 | $3,795/month | $8,855/month | $7,260/month |
| 5 | $4,449/month | $10,381/month | $8,511/month |
| 6 | $5,102/month | $11,904/month | $9,760/month |
Tip
Apply if you are close to the limit. A pay stub, child support change, pregnancy, job loss, or household change can affect the decision.
Medicaid and MCHP for mothers and children
Maryland Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage for people who qualify. It can cover doctor visits, emergency care, hospital care, prescriptions, pregnancy care, behavioral health care, and other covered services.
Most Medicaid members use HealthChoice, Maryland’s managed care program. After approval, you may need to choose a Managed Care Organization, often called an MCO. Ask your doctors which MCOs they accept before you pick one. If you do not pick in time, you may be assigned a plan.
The Maryland Children’s Health Program, or MCHP, covers children under 19 when the family meets program rules. Your child may qualify even if you do not. Children’s coverage can include doctor visits, hospital care, dental, vision, prescriptions, and behavioral health care.
If you also need food, child care, or basic needs help, keep the health application moving but do not stop there. ASMOM has separate guides for SNAP food help, child care help, and emergency bill help.
Pregnancy, postpartum, and family planning help
If you are pregnant, apply for coverage quickly. Maryland Health Connection says pregnant people may earn more and still qualify. If you are not a U.S. citizen and cannot get full Medicaid because of immigration rules, Maryland’s Healthy Babies coverage may help during pregnancy and for a limited time after birth.
Healthy Babies can cover prenatal visits, hospital care, delivery, dental care, lab tests, prescriptions, mental health care, behavioral health care, and transportation to medical care when rules are met.
Maryland also has a Medicaid Family Planning Program. It is for family planning services, not full health insurance. Call the pregnancy and family planning helpline at 1-800-456-8900 if you need help understanding that option.
If you are pregnant or recently had a baby and need home visiting, parenting support, or newborn help, ask your local health department or Medicaid plan. ASMOM also has a pregnancy support guide and a WIC guide.
Dental care, mental health, and rides to appointments
Dental care
Maryland Healthy Smiles provides dental care to eligible Medicaid members. The state says full Medicaid members are eligible, and there are no premiums, deductibles, or copays for covered services. Covered services can include checkups, cleanings, fillings, X-rays, root canals, crowns, extractions, fluoride, and some additional services for children.
Adult dentures are not covered for adults age 21 and older, but denture adjustments may be covered. If you cannot find a dentist, call Healthy Smiles at 855-934-9812 and ask for help finding a provider. For more dental paths, use ASMOM’s dental help.
Mental health and substance use care
For crisis support, call or text 988. For Medicaid behavioral health help, contact Carelon Maryland at 1-800-888-1965. Your MCO may cover some care, but specialty behavioral health services may also go through Maryland’s public behavioral health system.
Rides to medical care
Medicaid may help with non-emergency medical transportation when you have no other way to get to a covered, medically needed appointment. In Maryland, this help often runs through local health departments. Start with your county’s local health department and ask what notice they need before an appointment. ASMOM’s transportation help guide can help you think through backup options.
Clinics, screenings, and hospital bill help
If you are uninsured or underinsured, do not wait until a problem becomes an emergency. Federally Qualified Health Centers can provide primary care and may use a sliding fee scale based on ability to pay. Maryland explains basic FQHC rules, and you can search by ZIP code with the federal HRSA health center locator.
Maryland’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program offers screening, diagnosis, and patient navigation for eligible women. The state lists eligibility by age, income, insurance status, and screening need. Start with BCCP screening or call 1-800-477-9774.
Maryland WIC can help pregnant women, new moms, breastfeeding moms, infants, and children under age 5 with nutrition support. WIC is not health insurance, but it can connect you to nutrition, breastfeeding help, and referrals. Start with Maryland WIC.
If you have a hospital bill, ask the hospital’s financial assistance office for the uniform financial assistance application. Maryland’s HSCRC says acute care hospitals must provide their financial assistance policy and the common form on request. If the hospital will not help or you believe there is a problem with a hospital bill, contact HSCRC complaints or the Attorney General’s Health Education and Advocacy Unit.
If medical bills are part of a larger housing or utility crisis, use ASMOM’s housing help, local resource guide, and 211 help guide.
Documents and information checklist
You can start an application even if you do not have every paper ready. But missing proof can slow down the decision.
| What to gather | Examples | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Driver’s license, state ID, passport, school ID, birth certificate | Shows who is applying. |
| Maryland address | Lease, mail, utility bill, shelter letter, school record | Shows you live in Maryland. |
| Household members | Names, dates of birth, relationships, who files taxes together | Helps decide household size. |
| Income | Pay stubs, employer letter, unemployment, benefit letters | Used to check eligibility. |
| Pregnancy proof | Provider note or clinic record | Pregnancy can change eligibility. |
| Immigration papers | Only if you have them and are asked | Rules vary by status and program. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not skip the application because your income looks a little high. Maryland says some exceptions may apply.
- Do not ignore mail or online notices. A missed proof request can stop or delay coverage.
- Do not buy a “cheap” health plan without checking what it covers. The Maryland Insurance Administration warns that some limited plans may cover much less than marketplace plans. Start with Maryland insurance help if you are unsure.
- Do not assume a hospital bill is final. Ask for financial assistance and ask whether doctor bills are separate.
- Do not miss renewal notices. Report address and income changes so you do not lose coverage for a paperwork reason.
What to do if you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
If Maryland Health Connection denies your application, says you do not qualify, or will not let you enroll outside open enrollment, you can ask for a case review. The MHC appeals page explains that you can request review by phone, mail, or email.
If your problem is with a Medicaid MCO, call your plan first and ask for the denial or decision in writing. For HealthChoice plan problems, call 800-284-4510. For private health plan problems, ask the insurer for its appeal process and consider contacting the Maryland Insurance Administration or the Attorney General’s Health Education and Advocacy Unit.
Keep copies of notices, envelopes, screenshots, call dates, and names of people you spoke with. If a deadline is listed on a notice, do not wait.
If your health issue is tied to disability or special needs, ASMOM’s disability help guide may help you find the next program to ask about.
Backup options while you wait
If your application is still pending or you do not qualify right now, try more than one backup path at the same time.
- Call a local navigator and ask them to review the application with you.
- Use an FQHC or local clinic for primary care while you work on coverage.
- Ask your hospital or clinic about financial assistance before you agree to a payment plan.
- Call 211 for local clinics, transportation, food, diapers, and emergency help.
- Ask WIC, your child’s school, or a local health department about referrals.
Phone scripts
Calling Maryland Health Connection
“Hi, I am a single parent in Maryland. I need to apply for health coverage for myself and my children. Can you help me check Medicaid, MCHP, pregnancy coverage if it applies, and private plan help?”
Calling a local health department
“Hi, I need help with health coverage and local services. Can I apply here, and do you help with pregnancy coverage, WIC, transportation to medical visits, or clinic referrals?”
Calling Healthy Smiles
“Hi, I have Maryland Medicaid and need a dentist. Can you help me find a dentist near my ZIP code who is taking new Medicaid patients?”
Calling a hospital billing office
“Hi, I received a hospital bill and need the financial assistance application. Please tell me what documents you need and pause collections while I apply.”
Resumen en español
Si vive en Maryland y necesita seguro médico, empiece con Maryland Health Connection. Puede solicitar Medicaid, MCHP para niños, cobertura de embarazo o un plan privado con ayuda para pagar.
Si tiene una emergencia médica, llame al 911. Si tiene una crisis de salud mental o uso de sustancias, llame o mande texto al 988. Si necesita ayuda local con comida, vivienda, clínicas o transporte, llame al 211.
Si recibe una factura del hospital, pida la solicitud de asistencia financiera antes de aceptar un plan de pagos.
FAQ
Can a single mother in Maryland apply for Medicaid any time?
Yes. Medicaid and MCHP enrollment is open all year for people who qualify. Private plans usually have open enrollment, unless you qualify for a special enrollment period.
Can my child get MCHP if I do not qualify?
Possibly. Maryland says your child may be eligible for Medicaid or MCHP even if you are not. Apply and let the state decide.
Does Maryland Medicaid cover dental care?
Full Medicaid members are eligible for Maryland Healthy Smiles. Covered services include many dental basics, but some services are not covered for adults, such as dentures for adults 21 and older.
What if I am pregnant and not a U.S. citizen?
Maryland has Healthy Babies coverage for some pregnant people who are not eligible for full Medicaid because of immigration status. Apply through Maryland Health Connection or ask a local health department.
Where can I go if I have no insurance?
Apply for coverage first. While you wait, look for a federally qualified health center, local health department clinic, WIC office, or hospital financial assistance office.
Can I appeal a Maryland Health Connection denial?
Yes. You can request a case review if you disagree with certain Maryland Health Connection decisions, including Medicaid or MCHP eligibility decisions.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.