Maryland Medicare beneficiaries have access to a range of coverage options, state-specific protections, and free counseling services. This comprehensive Maryland Medicare guide covers your SHIP office contacts, Medigap plan availability, birthday rule protections, Medicare Savings Program eligibility, Medicare Advantage options, and how to compare plans. Whether you are turning 65, helping a parent navigate Medicare, or re-evaluating your coverage, understanding Maryland Medicare rules is essential for making informed decisions.
All information in this guide has been verified against official state sources, CMS data, and NAIC reports as of April 2026.
In This Maryland Medicare Guide:
Maryland SHIP — Free Medicare Counseling
Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) that provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Maryland’s SHIP program can help you understand your coverage options, compare plans, resolve billing issues, and navigate enrollment periods at no cost.
| SHIP Program | State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), administered by the Maryland Department of Aging |
| Phone | 410-767-1100 |
| Website | https://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/state-health-insurance-program.aspx |
SHIP counselors are trained volunteers and staff who are not affiliated with any insurance company. They do not sell plans. Contact your Maryland SHIP office before making any major Medicare decisions.
Maryland Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Plans
Medigap plans in Maryland help cover out-of-pocket costs not paid by Original Medicare, including the Part A deductible, Part B coinsurance, and skilled nursing facility copays. Medigap plans are standardized by federal law, meaning Plan G from one carrier covers the same benefits as Plan G from another carrier. The difference is premium cost.
Plans available in Maryland: A, B, C, D, F, F high-deductible, G, G high-deductible, K, L, M, N
Most popular plan: Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan in Maryland. Plan G covers all gaps in Original Medicare except the annual Part B deductible ($240 in 2026). Plan N is the most popular lower-premium alternative, with small copays for some doctor visits and ER visits.
Pricing method: Maryland uses community-rated Medigap pricing. This is the most favorable method for consumers because premiums are the same regardless of age. Your premium will not increase simply because you get older.
The average monthly Plan G premium for a 65-year-old in Maryland is approximately $196. Plan N averages approximately $250 per month. Actual premiums vary by carrier, age, gender, tobacco use, and zip code. Always compare quotes from at least three carriers.
Maryland Medigap Birthday Rule
Maryland is one of the few states with a Medigap birthday rule. Effective July 1 2023, Maryland Medigap policyholders may switch to a plan with equal or lesser benefits within 30 days of their birthday each year without medical underwriting. The new policy can be from the current carrier or a different insurance company. This applies annually and provides a guaranteed-issue right to change plans.
This annual switching window gives Maryland Medicare beneficiaries an opportunity to change Medigap plans without medical underwriting, potentially finding lower premiums or better coverage. Not all states offer this protection.
Maryland guaranteed issue protections: Beyond the federal 6-month Medigap OEP, Maryland’s birthday rule (effective July 1 2023) provides an annual guaranteed-issue right to switch to a Medigap plan with equal or lesser benefits within 30 days of your birthday, with no medical underwriting. Maryland also caps Medigap Plan A premiums for disabled enrollees under 65 at the average premium paid by enrollees aged 65 and older.
Maryland Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Approximately 1164460 people in Maryland are enrolled in Medicare. About 19 percent of Maryland Medicare beneficiaries choose Medicare Advantage plans, with the remainder on Original Medicare with or without Medigap supplement coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans in Maryland are offered by private insurers as an alternative to Original Medicare. Most MA plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D) and often add dental, vision, and hearing benefits. However, MA plans use provider networks, which can limit your choice of doctors and hospitals.
Key Medicare Advantage considerations in Maryland:
- Networks matter: HMO plans require you to use in-network providers except in emergencies. PPO plans allow out-of-network care at higher cost.
- $0 premium plans: Many Maryland MA plans have $0 monthly premiums (you still pay your Part B premium).
- Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP): MA plans cap your annual spending, unlike Original Medicare which has no cap.
- Star ratings: CMS rates MA plans 1-5 stars. Higher-rated plans often have lower costs and better coverage.
Top Medicare Advantage carriers in Maryland by enrollment:
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- UnitedHealthcare
- Kaiser Permanente
- Humana
- Cigna
Maryland Medicare Financial Help Programs
Maryland offers Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) that help low-income Medicare beneficiaries pay for premiums, deductibles, and copays. The four programs are:
- QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Pays Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copays.
- SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Pays Part B premiums only.
- QI (Qualifying Individual): Pays Part B premiums (limited funding, first-come first-served).
- QDWI (Qualified Disabled Working Individual): Pays Part A premiums for disabled workers.
Maryland MSP eligibility: QMB: 1235/month single and 1663/month married. SLMB: 1478/month single and 1992/month married. QI (called SLMB II in Maryland): 1660/month single and 2239/month married. Asset limits: 9090 single and 13630 married.
Apply through your local SHIP office or your state Medicaid agency for free help determining eligibility.
Top Medicare Insurance Companies in Maryland
Top Medigap carriers in Maryland:
- AARP/UnitedHealthcare
- Aetna
- Mutual of Omaha
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Cigna
When comparing carriers, focus on premium cost (for identical standardized Medigap plans, benefits are the same — only price differs), financial strength ratings from AM Best (A or higher), customer satisfaction ratings, and claims processing speed.
Maryland Medicare Enrollment Periods
Understanding Medicare enrollment deadlines prevents costly late enrollment penalties:
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7-month window around your 65th birthday (3 months before, birthday month, 3 months after). Enroll in Parts A and B during this period.
- Medigap Open Enrollment: Standard federal 6-month open enrollment period beginning when you are both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. Maryland does not extend this window beyond the federal standard.. During this period, insurance companies cannot deny you Medigap coverage or charge higher premiums based on health conditions.
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 through December 7 each year. Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change MA plans, or add/change Part D drug plans.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP): January 1 through March 31. Switch MA plans or return to Original Medicare (and add a Medigap plan, subject to underwriting).
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEP): Available when you lose employer coverage, move, or qualify for other life events.
Additional Maryland Medicare protections: Birthday rule (effective July 1 2023) allows annual Medigap plan changes within 30 days of birthday without underwriting for equal or lesser coverage. Disabled enrollees under 65 have Plan A premiums capped at the average paid by enrollees 65 and older. Maryland participates in the Total Cost of Care Model, a unique CMS agreement governing hospital rate-setting statewide. 34 carriers are approved to sell individual Medicare Supplement policies in the state.
Compare Maryland Medicare Plans
Ready to compare Medicare options in Maryland? Use the official Medicare Plan Finder or contact your local SHIP counselor for free, unbiased help.
Official Sources & Resources
- Medicare.gov: medicare.gov
- Maryland Insurance Administration: https://insurance.maryland.gov/
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), administered by the Maryland Department of Aging: https://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/state-health-insurance-program.aspx
- CMS.gov: cms.gov
- NAIC: naic.org
This Maryland Medicare guide was last verified against official sources in April 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.