Maryland
Medicare help in Maryland
Free, unbiased counseling, help paying premiums and drug costs, how to check an agent before you talk to one, and the Maryland rules that affect your Medigap choices.
Free counseling
SHIP
Maryland State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is Maryland's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Trained counselors answer Medicare questions, compare plans with you and help you apply for savings programs, at no cost. They don't sell insurance.
Help paying for Medicare in Maryland
If your income and savings are limited, these programs can lower your premiums and drug costs. Many people who qualify never apply.
Medicare Savings Programs
Maryland Medicaid runs Maryland's Medicare Savings Programs. They pay your Part B premium, and the fullest one (QMB) also pays Part A premiums, deductibles and copays. You don't need to qualify for full Medicaid.
The 2026 federal minimum limits: income up to $1,350 a month single or $1,824 married for full help (QMB), or up to $1,816 single or $2,455 married for help with the Part B premium, and savings up to $9,950 single or $14,910 married. Your home and one car don't count. States can be more generous.
Maryland uses the federal income limits.
Extra Help with drug costs
Extra Help is a federal program, run by Social Security, that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays. In 2026 you may qualify with income up to $23,940 a year single or $32,460 married, and resources up to $18,090 single or $36,100 married. If you get a Medicare Savings Program, Medicaid or SSI, you get Extra Help automatically. Apply with Social Security.
Maryland drug assistance program
Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program (SPDAP)
Who qualifies: People with Medicare who have lived in Maryland at least 6 months, with income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.
What it pays: Up to $100 a month in 2027 toward the premium of an approved Part D or Medicare Advantage drug plan.
Call 1-800-551-5995
Sources: Medicaid.gov state contacts, Maryland's own Medicaid pages and Medicare.gov's state program list, checked October 27, 2026. Limits change every year; confirm with Maryland Medicaid before you apply. How Extra Help and savings programs work.
Check an agent's license in Maryland
The Maryland Insurance Administration licenses insurance agents in Maryland. Before you share personal information, look the agent up by name or National Producer Number (NPN) and make sure their license is active and includes health insurance.
Medigap rules in Maryland
Switching plans later
Maryland gives people who already have Medigap a way to switch without health questions: 30 days from your birthday. Equal or lesser benefits.
If you're under 65
Insurers in Maryland must offer Medigap to people under 65 who have Medicare. Plans and prices can be limited. More on Medigap under 65.
Source: NAIC state Medigap chart, May 11, 2026. Confirm with the Maryland Insurance Administration before changing coverage.
Dates that apply everywhere
- October 15 to December 7: Open Enrollment, when you can change Medicare Advantage and drug plans. All enrollment periods
- January 1 to March 31: people in Medicare Advantage can switch plans or go back to Original Medicare once.
- Around your 65th birthday: your 7-month window to sign up. Turning 65
Common questions in Maryland
Where can I get free Medicare help in Maryland?
Maryland State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is Maryland's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Its counselors help with Medicare questions for free and don't sell insurance. Call 1-800-243-3425.
How do I check a Medicare agent's license in Maryland?
The Maryland Insurance Administration licenses insurance agents. Use its license lookup to search by the agent's name or National Producer Number (NPN), or call 1-800-492-6116.
How do I get help paying Medicare premiums in Maryland?
Apply for a Medicare Savings Program through Maryland Medicaid (1-855-642-8572). These programs pay your Part B premium, and sometimes your deductibles and copays. Maryland uses the federal income limits. Maryland's free SHIP counselors (1-800-243-3425) can help you apply.
Does Maryland help pay for prescriptions?
Maryland has a state drug assistance program: Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program (SPDAP). Extra Help, a federal program run by Social Security, also lowers Part D premiums and copays for people with limited income.
Does Maryland have a Medigap birthday rule?
Maryland gives people who already have Medigap a way to switch plans without health questions: 30 days from your birthday. Equal or lesser benefits.
Can I buy Medigap under 65 in Maryland?
Insurers in Maryland must offer Medigap to people under 65 who have Medicare. Plans and prices can be limited.
State contacts checked against official Maryland sites on October 26, 2026. General information, not advice about a specific plan. How we check facts.