Medicare in Maryland
Free counseling, Medigap rules and help paying costs in Maryland.
Medicare is a federal program, so Parts A and B work the same way in Maryland as everywhere else. What changes by state is who can buy a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy and when, which private plans are sold where you live, and the state programs that help with costs.
Free Medicare counseling in Maryland
Maryland’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Its counselors give free, one-on-one help with enrollment, comparing plans, Medigap, and programs that lower costs. They don’t sell insurance. Read more about what a SHIP counselor can do.
Medigap if you’re under 65
Insurers must offer Plans A and D, without underwriting, to people under 65 on Medicare because of a disability who apply within 6 months of Part B enrollment, with premium limits.
Federal law only guarantees a Medigap Open Enrollment Period to people 65 and older, so state law decides what’s available before then. See Medicare under 65 on disability.
Switching Medigap plans: Maryland's birthday rule
Since July 1, 2023, Maryland gives you your birthday plus the 30 days after it, each year, to switch to a Medigap policy with equal or lesser benefits from any insurer, without health questions.
Every state also has the federal guaranteed issue rights, such as losing employer coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan leaving your area. See Medigap guaranteed issue rights and switching Medigap plans.
Help paying Medicare costs in Maryland
Maryland’s Medicaid program (Maryland Medicaid (managed-care program: HealthChoice)) also runs the Medicare Savings Programs, which can pay your Part B premium and, for some people, deductibles and coinsurance. States may set limits higher than the federal minimums, so apply even if your income is a little over them. Qualifying for one also gets you Extra Help with drug costs automatically.
Maryland also has a state pharmaceutical assistance program: Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program (SPDAP). Ask the SHIP whether you qualify.
If you qualify for both Medicare and full Maryland Medicaid (managed-care program: HealthChoice) coverage, read Medicare and Medicaid together.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans in Maryland
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are sold by county, so the plans, premiums and networks available in one part of Maryland can differ from another. The Medicare Plan Finder lists every plan for your ZIP code. You can change plans during Medicare Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7.
Common questions
Maryland's State Health Insurance Assistance Program is State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), reachable at 1-800-243-3425. SHIP counselors give free, unbiased Medicare help and don't sell insurance.
Insurers must offer Plans A and D, without underwriting, to people under 65 on Medicare because of a disability who apply within 6 months of Part B enrollment, with premium limits.
Since July 1, 2023, Maryland gives you your birthday plus the 30 days after it, each year, to switch to a Medigap policy with equal or lesser benefits from any insurer, without health questions.
Original Medicare's rules, premiums and deductibles are the same in every state (the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026). What varies is which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are sold in your county, state Medigap rules, and state programs that help pay costs.
Want help with your own choices?
Every state runs a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) with trained counselors who give free, unbiased Medicare help and do not sell plans. Find yours on our Medicare by state pages, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Planning the rest of your coverage in retirement? We can help with life insurance later in life and final expense coverage.
Sources
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), aging.maryland.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- State Medigap Rules: Birthday Rule and Coverage for Under 65 (as of May 11, 2026), National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medigap rules and consumer protections, insurance.maryland.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medigap rules and consumer protections, mgaleg.maryland.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medigap rules and consumer protections, health.maryland.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA), insurance.maryland.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Choosing a Medigap Policy (March 2026), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
General information about the federal Medicare program, not advice about your situation. Figures are for 2026 unless stated and change every year; last reviewed September 29, 2026. Quote My Policy is a private company. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
Quote My Policy does not sell Medicare plans on this site. For plan-specific help, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.