Medicare in Maryland
May 20, 2026
Maryland Medicare quick facts (2026)
- Beneficiaries: Roughly 1 million Marylanders are enrolled in Medicare.
- Active Advantage carriers: Kaiser Permanente (in the DC/Baltimore corridor), UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, and others.
- State Medicaid program: Maryland Medicaid (Medical Assistance) — relevant for dual-eligible coordination.
- Unique Maryland feature: All-payer hospital rates mean hospitals charge similar prices across insurers — but this does not change your Medicare cost-sharing rules.
Common Maryland Medicare questions
Q: When can I enroll in Medicare in Maryland?
A: Federal calendar. Initial Enrollment Period is the 7-month window around your 65th birthday; the Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 – December 7, 2026.
Q: Can I switch Medigap plans in Maryland without underwriting?
A: Generally only during the federal 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed-issue trigger. Maryland does not have a state birthday or anniversary rule.
Q: Does Maryland's all-payer system change my Medicare costs?
A: It affects what hospitals can charge, but your Medicare Part A/B cost-sharing, Advantage copays, and Medigap benefits follow standard federal Medicare rules.
Q: I live in the DC suburbs — can I use a DC-based provider?
A: Depends on your plan type. Original Medicare + Medigap travels freely; Advantage HMOs may require in-network Maryland providers.
Run the numbers for your situation: enrollment calculator · IRMAA calculator · Part D cost calculator.
Medicare in Maryland — plans and how to compare.
What Maryland residents should know about Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Part D — and how plan availability differs in Maryland.
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Medicare basics in Maryland
Medicare is a federal program, so the core rules are the same in Maryland as everywhere else — but the specific plans available, premiums, and carrier networks vary by ZIP code and county.
Most Maryland residents become eligible at 65 through Social Security. See eligibility for full rules.
For the 7-month enrollment window timeline, see Turning 65.
What Maryland residents typically compare
- Medicare Advantage — Many Maryland counties have 20-50+ Advantage plans. Plans, premiums, and extras vary by county.
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap) — Plans are federally standardized but premium pricing and underwriting rules vary by state.
- Part D prescription drug plans — Available statewide but formularies and preferred pharmacies differ by plan.
See Advantage vs. Supplement for the side-by-side framework.
Maryland timing rules
The federal Medigap Open Enrollment window is the same everywhere — 6 months starting the month you turn 65 AND have Part B. During that window, no medical underwriting.
Outside that window, most states (including Maryland unless otherwise noted) allow Medigap carriers to use medical underwriting. Check Maryland's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for current state-specific rules.
How to compare plans in Maryland
- Confirm your ZIP — plans differ within Maryland by county
- List your prescriptions and check each on the plan's formulary
- Confirm your doctors are in-network
- Compare premium + deductible + maximum out-of-pocket
- Check star ratings for plans you are weighing
- Ask about prior authorization requirements (common on Advantage)