Maryland Health Connection (MHC) has taken significant steps to ensure that more Marylanders, including our immigrant communities, have access to quality health coverage. With the passage of the Access to Care Act, comprehensive health coverage will soon be a reality for all residents, regardless of immigration status.

Access to Care Legislation: A Pathway to Inclusion

The Access to Care Act addresses a critical gap in health coverage for undocumented immigrants in Maryland who currently are not eligible to purchase health plans through the state’s health insurance marketplace, Maryland Health Connection. Starting 2026, this legislation will remove this barrier and allow undocumented residents to purchase and enroll in health plans through Maryland Health Connection. An estimated 112,400 currently uninsured Marylanders will be eligible to enroll in health coverage – a vital step toward health equity.

Benefits of Enrolling through Maryland Health Connection

Even though no federal subsidies will be available for this newly eligible population, Maryland has some of the lowest monthly premiums in the country, including the lowest priced bronze and silver plans nationally. Enrolling in health plans through MHC offers many advantages:

1. Simplified Shopping: MHC provides a streamlined platform where consumers can compare plans from all individual market insurers. This makes it easier to evaluate copays, coinsurance, and the inclusion of preferred providers and prescription drugs.

2. Easy Estimator Tool: The Get an Estimate tool helps consumers estimate their total annual costs for each plan (including premiums and out-of-pocket expenses) based on their expected health care usage. This feature assists consumers in selecting high-value plans tailored to their specific needs.

3. Free help: MHC offers help so consumers understand their options and apply for coverage.

• Our Call Center (1-855-642-8572) provides assistance in over 200 languages. Deaf and hard of hearing may use Relay.

• Flora, our chat bot, gives fast accurate answers any time of day.

• In-person assistance is available in every county in Maryland.

• Authorized brokers are available to assist within 30 minutes.

4. Trusted, High-Quality Plans: All plans sold on MHC cover all the Essential Health Benefits and health issues you may have had prior to enrolling in coverage.

5. Family Enrollment: Mixed-status families will be able to enroll together in the same plan through MHC, simplifying the enrollment process and allowing family members to share a deductible. This eliminates the burden of managing multiple plans and ensures comprehensive coverage for the entire family.