FAQs

Medicaid provides free or low-cost health coverage to low-income individuals and their eligible family members. On January 1, 2014, Maryland expanded Medicaid to a larger and more diverse group of people, including adults and children below certain income levels. HealthChoice is the name of Maryland’s statewide managed care program for Medicaid.

Most individuals who qualify for Medicaid will have no monthly premium, no copay, and no out-of-pocket cost for most covered services. For some individuals, a small monthly premium or copay may apply.

To qualify for Medicaid, you must meet certain requirements. For instance, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, and have a certain income based on the Federal Poverty Level Guidelines.

See if you may qualify for Medicaid.

You must qualify for Medicaid and live in a county where Kaiser Permanente is available as a Managed Care Organization (MCO). Kaiser Permanente must also be accepting new Medicaid members at the time you apply for Medicaid.

If you think you qualify for Medicaid, visit https://marylandhealthconnection.gov/ to start your application process.

Learn more about the Medicaid application process.

You can apply any time during the year – there is no deadline.

Learn more about the Medicaid application process.

Check the status of your application online through Maryland Health Connection, even if you applied by phone or in-person. You’ll need to create a free Maryland Health Connection account to check this.

If you’ve been turned down for Medicaid, you might still be eligible for federal financial assistance. Visit https://marylandhealthconnection.gov to choose health coverage that meets your family’s needs.

Yes, families with higher incomes may find that only their children qualify for Medicaid coverage, or qualify for the Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP), which provides access to health insurance coverage for higher-income children up to age 19. For more information, visit https://marylandhealthconnection.gov.

Most individuals who qualify for Medicaid will have no monthly premium, no copay, and no out-of-pocket cost for most covered services. For some individuals, a small monthly premium or copay may apply.

Medicaid and Maryland Health Connection both offer health coverage. Income eligibility is lower for Medicaid than for Maryland Health Connection health plans. If you qualify for Medicaid, your health care will be free or low-cost to you and your eligible family members and you are not eligible to also get financial assistance on a Maryland Health Connection health plan.

Families with higher incomes may find that their children qualify for Medicaid coverage while the parents qualify to receive financial assistance on a Maryland Health Connection health plan.

Yes, you can choose your own primary care doctor from our wide network of doctors. You can also switch to a new Kaiser Permanente doctor at any time.

All of our available doctors take our Medicaid members. Simply visit kp.org/chooseyourdoctor.

You can find information on medical facility locations, departments, and care here. You can also call Member Services at 1-855-249-5025, or 711 (TTY), Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (except holidays).

Your Member Handbook will give you complete benefit information.

If you are eligible for Medicaid and choose to receive your care from Kaiser Permanente, you are covered for drugs included in our approved list. To check if your medication is covered, please contact Member Services at 1-855-249-5019, or 711 (TTY), Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (except holidays).

To speak with a pharmacy representative who can help you transfer your prescription(s), call Member Services at 1-855-249-5019, or 711 (TTY), Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (closed holidays).

When you call, please have your prescription number(s) and the name and phone number of the pharmacy where you wish to transfer them from ready. We’ll handle the rest.

You can also visit New Member Prescription Transfer for information on how to transfer your prescriptions.

If you want to transfer a prescription from another pharmacy to a Kaiser Permanente medical center pharmacy, call the Kaiser Permanente pharmacy location of your choice and provide the following information:

• Your name and Kaiser Permanente member ID
• Name and telephone number of the other pharmacy
• Name of the prescribed medication
• Prescription number of the prescribed medication
• Name and phone number of the doctor who prescribed the medication

If you want to transfer a prescription from a Kaiser Permanente medical center or mail order pharmacy to another participating pharmacy, you must contact that participating pharmacy.

Yes, please be sure to bring both your Medicaid card and your Kaiser Permanente ID card any time you receive services. Providers use the information on the card to check your eligibility.

Your Medicaid benefits will stay active for up to 1 year if you have no change in circumstances (such as income, moving, adding family member, divorce). Every year, the state will send you a letter or a text-message alert asking you to reapply or renew your Medicaid coverage.

Learn more about the annual renewal process.

If you no longer qualify for Medicaid, you’ll have a limited amount of time to act to get other coverage before your Special Enrollment Period ends. You should quickly see if you are eligible for financial assistance from the government by visiting https://marylandhealthconnection.gov. You may be able to stay with Kaiser Permanente. We offer a range of plans to fit your needs and budget. Visit continuecoverage.kaiserpermanente.org to find a Kaiser Permanente plan for you and your family.

Losing health coverage such as Medicaid is considered a qualifying event that would trigger a Special Enrollment Period. You are eligible to enroll within 60 days of that event.