Health Insurance & Programs
Always call 911 for any medical emergencies. Financial assistance is often available to those who cannot afford to pay emergency hospital bills.
Private Insurance
- Maryland Health Connection (English) (Español): 240-777-1815 or 855-642-8572
- If you are a U.S. citizen, or have certain types of immigration status, you may be able to enroll in a private health insurance plan. Financial help may be available. Visit the Maryland Health Connection website, or call the number above, to see if you qualify and for help enrolling.
- OPEN ENROLLMENT IS CURRENTLY TAKING PLACE! Maryland residents can sign up for a private health insurance plan from the Maryland Health Connection starting November 1st, 2024 to January 15th, 2025. Montgomery County residents can learn more about enrolling in a plan at the Montgomery County Health Connection, including how to get in-person help completing the enrollment application.
- For coverage starting January 1st, 2025, sign up for a plan between November 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
- For coverage starting February 1st, 2025, sign up for a plan between January 1, 2025 to January 15, 2024.
- For information on the types of immigration status required for coverage visit Maryland Health Connection (English) (አማርኛ | Amharic) (Kreyòl | Creole) (tiếng Việt | Vietnamese).
- NEW! Starting November 1, 2024, DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, recipients can get a private health plan and financial help through the Maryland Health Connection. View flyer for more information in English (PDF) and Español (PDF).
- If you are a senior (age 65 or older), you may qualify for Medicare , which is a federal program administered by private health insurance companies. Visit the Medicare website or call for more information: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Programs for Low-Income Residents
For Adults
- Medicaid
- Low or no-cost health coverage for low-income individuals who are U.S. citizens or have been lawfully present in the U.S. for 5 years (some exceptions apply). See Fact Sheet on Medicaid in Maryland for more information. For questions about whether you qualify and how to apply, contact Maryland Health Connection (English) (Español): 240-777-1815 or 855-642-8572.
- For more information on the types of immigration status required, visit Maryland Medicaid Administration, or call Maryland Health Connection at the number above. Note: Emergency Medicaid for emergency services and pregnant women does not require immigration status.
- Montgomery Cares
- County health program for low-income adults who do not qualify for other insurance. Does not require immigration status.
- Click here for a list of participating clinics.
- For questions regarding eligibility, call 240-777-1003.
For Children
- Children who are U.S. citizens or have certain types of immigration status may qualify for Medicaid or the Maryland Children’s Health Program, depending on their family’s income. For questions about whether you qualify and how to apply, contact Maryland Health Connection (English) (Español): 240-777-1815 or 855-642-8572.
- Care for Kids: 301-628-3450
- County health program for low-income children who do not qualify for other insurance. Does not require immigration status.
- Women Infants and Children (WIC): 301-762-9426, [email protected]
- Federal program for children up to 5 years old and pregnant women. Provides breastfeeding support, referrals to health care and social services, immunization assessments and screening, nutrition counseling. food assistance and more. Immigration status not required.
For Pregnant Women
- Healthy Babies Equity Act:
- Low-income pregnant women in Maryland who do not have immigration status may qualify for full scope Medicaid coverage. Coverage for mothers would apply during the pregnancy and for 4 months after the child is born. A child born to a mother on Medicaid would receive one year of coverage.
- To apply for Medicaid, contact the Maryland Health Connection (English) (Español) at 855-642-8572, or contact the Montgomery County Office of Eligibility and Support Services at 240-777-1815.
- For more information, see the flyer in English (PDF), አማርኛ (Amharic) (PDF), 中文 (Chinese) (PDF), Español (Spanish) (PDF), français (French) (PDF), tiếng Việt (Vientamese) (PDF), and 한국어 (Korean) (PDF).
- Montgomery Perinatal Program/Prenatal Care (formerly the Maternity Partnership Program)
- Provides prenatal care for low-income pregnant women. Immigration status not required.
- Women Infants and Children (WIC)
- Federal program for children up to 5 years old and pregnant women. Provides breastfeeding support, referrals to health care and social services, nutrition counseling. food assistance and more. Immigration status not required.
- For more information on programs promoting maternal/infant health, visit Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services