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4. I am eligible for medical assistance. Can I receive coverage for my unpaid medical bills? |
You may be eligible for some medical coverage for medical bills incurred three months prior to enrollment. Talk to your case worker about your eligibility for information on additional coverage.
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5. Am I eligible for Medical Assistance for Families or the PAC program? |
Starting July 1, 2008, Medical Assistance for Families will cover parents and other family members caring for children who make, for example, less than $20,500 for a family of three. PAC will continue to cover adults without dependents. (Click here for income eligibility chart)
There are multiple ways to apply including:
- On-Line at www.marylandSAIL.org, once the application is completed be sure to print and mail or fax the signature page to the local Health Department if it is only for medical assistance or the local Department of Social Services if it is medical assistance and other social service benefits.
- By Mail or Fax, by printing an application found on the right hand side of this page.
- By Calling 1-800-456-8900 to have an application sent to you,
- If you are pregnant or applying for Medical Assistance only, visit the Health Department to fill out an application, or
- If you want to apply for other services, such as food stamps, visit your Local Department of Social Services and fill out an application.
- You can visit the Harford County Health Department or Department of Social Services to complete an application.
7. How long does it take to complete the application? |
It should take less than 30 minutes to complete a medical assistance application, if you have the necessary information which is listed below.
- General Information (such as Name, Address, Telephone Number),
- Information about family members (such as names and birth dates),
- Proof of Citizenship and Identity for all family members applying,
- For a list of ways to prove citizenship and identity, (Click here for link to list of citizenship and identity documents)
- Social Security numbers of all family members applying for health care,
- Sources and amounts of family income,
- Information on any other health insurance coverage,
- Child care expenses and verification (if applicable).
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8. Can I apply for food stamps and/or day care subsidies at the same time as medical assistance? |
Yes, you can apply for medical assistance and social services together. Both the local department of social services and the SAIL online program https://www.marylandsail.org/ accepts applications for medical assistance as well as other types of social services.
9. What if I have more questions? |
Please call the Marylands Medical Assistance hotline at 1-800-456-8900 or email MAExpansion@dhmh.state.md.us, if you have any additional questions.
Medical Assistance for Families will include the same benefits currently available to HealthChoice enrollees, and the new income limits will now make the program available to more people. You can find the benefits and covered services available from HealthChoice MCOs at: http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/mma/healthchoice/
11. I was enrolled in PAC but got a letter saying I am now in Medical Assistance for Families, does my children's health care change? |
No, your childrens health care will not change. You will be joining your children as a Medical Assistance enrollee and a HealthChoice member. Your children will keep the same coverage and you will join them in Medical Assistance, which offers more health benefits than the PAC program.
12. I have a letter saying that I was being changed from PAC to Medical Assistance for Families, but I want to stay in PAC.What should I do? |
Medical Assistance for Families offers more health benefits than PAC; however, you can remain in the PAC program if you would like. Please contact the PAC office at 1-800-226-2142 and request to be put back into the PAC program and have your Medical Assistance for Families case be closed.
Adults without dependent children with incomes under 116% of FPL, about $20,000 annually for a family of three, are currently eligible for the Primary Adult Care (PAC) Program. Medical Assistance for Families will allow these adults to have access to more services through PAC beginning in July 2009, depending on the availability of funds.
For more information, please see: Health Insurance Partnership for Small Business
If you are not eligible for Medical Assistance for Families, you might be eligible for other programs such as Marylands Children Health Program, Primary Adult Care (PAC) Program, or the Maryland Health Insurance Plan (MHIP).
If you have additional questions, please contact our Medical Assistance Helpline at 1-800-456-8900.
FREE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR CHILDREN 18 YEARS OLD OR UNDER AND PREGNANT WOMEN OF ANY AGE
As of September 2006 - Under requirements from the Federal Government, specifically the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA), EACH applicant seeking Medical Assistance coverage must provide:
- ONE proof of citizenship, and
- ONE proof of identityBelow is a list of examples of some of the acceptable documents you can show to prove your citizenship and identity. If you cannot obtain any acceptable documents to prove your citizenship, there are Affidavits that must be completed and signed by two U.S. citizens. You or your authorized representative will also need to sign an Affidavit to explain why you do not have any of the listed documents available to prove your citizenship. These affidavits can be found on the right hand side of this page.
If you have one of the following documents, you can provide it to prove both Citizenship and Identity. (If you were not born in the U.S. and were not a U.S. citizen at birth, you must provide one of these 3 documents.):
U.S. passport (current or expired);
Certificate of Naturalization (N-550 or N-570); or
Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561)
Acceptable Documents
If you cannot provide one of those documents, you will need to proved one document from each column below:
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Proof of Citizenship |
Proof of Identity |
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U.S. birth certificate |
Photo ID; drivers license or MVA ID card, school ID, government ID
U.S. military ID card or draft record
For children under 16 only: school record, nursery or daycare record, or written affidavit signed by parent or guardian (only acceptable if written statement was not used as proof of citizenship) |
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Certificate of citizen born abroad:
DS-1350, FS-240, FS-545 |
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ID card for naturalized citizen living in Mexico or Canada; I-179 or I-197 |
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Final adoption decree for child born in U.S. |
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Evidence of U.S. civil service employment before 6/1/76 |
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Military service record showing U.S. place of birth |
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For children under 16 only; record on hospital letterhead or other medical record, created near the date of birth and showing the U.S. place of birth (not including an immunization record) |
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Federal or state census record for 1900-1950 showing U.S. citizenship or U.S. place of birth as well as age |
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Record showing U.S. place of birth, if created at least 5 years before initial Medical Assistance or MCHP application: record on hospital letterhead or other medical record established at the time of birth; institutional admission papers; signed statement by physician or midwife who attended the birth; Vital Statistics official notice of birth registration; life, health or other insurance record |
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An affidavit (written statement signed under penalty of perjury), which is signed by two individuals who are both citizens and have personal knowledge of the recipients citizenship. One of the individuals signing must not be related to the recipient. A third affidavit, which is signed by you or your representative, to explain why there is no proof available. |
Customer Rights and Responsibilities Maryland Medical Assistance (MA) Program/MCHP:
Civil Rights - The application will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin or politicial belief. The applicant can request a hearing if he/she believes the State of Maryland, in proccessing his/her application, has made an error or if he/she feels discrimination occured. The applicant has the right to appeal any action taken by the Department. If the applicant asks for a hearing, his/her case manager can help him/her put the request in writing. At his/her hearing, the applicant can speak for his or her self or have someone else represent him/her. He/she has a right to a written notice of all decisions affecting his/her eligibility.
See the Summary of Procedures for Fair Hearings attachment for more information.
What Is the Maryland Childrens Health Program?
Medical Assistance for Families will provide comprehensive health care to many more parents and other family members caring for children. Eligibility depends on family size and income. The annual income limit is about $20,500 for a family of three. Medical Assistance for Families will provide free health services including:
- Low-cost or free prescriptions;
- Doctor visits;
- Emergency room visits;
- Hospital stays;
- X-ray and lab services; and,
- Many other services.
Families will be able to apply by mail, fax, online, or can call 1-800-456-8900 to request an application.
Who Is Eligible?
- Children up to age 19
- Pregnant women of any age
- You may be eligible even if you already have health insurance or recently dropped it.
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MAXIMUM FAMILY INCOME LIMIT, EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2008
| Family Size |
Children |
Pregnant Women (Family Size Includes Unborn Child |
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1 |
$ 20,800 |
$ 26,000 |
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2 |
$ 28,000 |
$ 35,000 |
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3 |
$ 35,200 |
$ 44,000 |
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4 |
$ 42,400 |
$ 53,000 |
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5 |
$ 49,600 |
$ 62,000 |
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Each Additional
Family Member, add |
$7,200 |
$9,000 |
Effective3/1/08 |
If your income is slightly higher than the amount listed above for your family size, you may still qualify. To find out for certain, you need to complete an application.
MCHP Premium
Effective July 1, 2001, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene instituted the Maryland Childrens Health Program Premium Program.
The Premium program is a low cost health plan for uninsured children up to age 19. MCHP Premium is for families with incomes above the regular MCHP limit.
By paying one low monthly premium per family, children may get health care through an employer health plan or HealthChoice, Marylands Managed Care Program. Qualified families will either have monthly payments of $46 or $58 per family, depending on their income.
Children enrolled in an employer health plan will receive a second insurance card to cover costs of co-payments, deductibles and co-insurance.
Income Eligibility Chart
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Household Size |
Monthly Income Limit |
Annual Income Limit |
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1 |
$1,008 |
$12,100 |
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2 |
$1,358 |
$16,300 |
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3 |
$1,708 |
$20,500 |
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4 |
$2,050 |
$24,600 |
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5 |
$2,400 |
$28,800 |
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6 |
$2,750 |
$33,000 |
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7 |
$3,092 |
$37,100 |
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8 |
$3,442 |
$41,300 |
Effective July 1, 2008
These are estimates only - if your income is slightly higher, you may still be able to get Medical Assistance for Families and should apply.
How Do I Apply?
Fill out the same application as the regular MCHP Program
- Using the same criteria as for the regular program, fill out the application completely
- Answer YES to the question on the application regarding your willingness to pay a premium.
PLEASE SIGN and mail the completed application to:
Harford County Health Department
Maryland Childrens Health Program
120 S. Hays St., P.O. Box 797
Bel Air, Maryland 21014
Or bring the application to the address above between 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
How Do I Apply for Children's and Pregnant Women's benefits?
Fill out a brief application form with information about:
- Your address (residence must be in Harford Co.)
- Your telephone number
- Any health insurance coverage you have
- The names, birth dates and Social Security numbers of family members
- The sources and amounts of income received by the family (or a statement of how you get food and shelter, if you have no income)
- If pregnant, include with the completed application written proof of pregnancy and expected date of delivery, signed by your doctor or nurse.
You may pick up an application at:
- Your doctor's office
- Your childs school
- Harford County Health Department
Sign the application and mail it to :
Harford County Health Department
120 S. Hays St., P.O. box 797
Bel Air, Maryland 21014
Or bring it to any office of the Harford County Health Department at one of these four locations.
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Aberdeen Health Center
34 N. Philadelphia Blvd., Aberdeen
(410) 273-5626
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Edgewood Health/Community Services Center
1321 Woodbidge Station Way Edgewood
(410) 612-1654 |
Harford County Health Department
120 S. Hays St.
Bel Air, MD 21014
(443) 643-0343 |
Havre de Grace Health Center
415 Pennington Ave., Havre de Grace
(410) 939-6717
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FAQ
Q. I am Pregnant and I Live With My Parent. Do They Have To Sign the Application?
A pregnant woman of any age completes and signs the application herself. Your eligibility is determined based on your income, not your parents. If you have income of your own, that should be listed on application. If you are supported by your parents, you should write in the income block on the application that your parents provide you with food and shelter. If you are covered for your pregnancy by your parents insurance, you may want to apply for this program for your baby. You may apply while youre pregnant or after the baby is born.
Q. My Grandchild (or Niece, Sister, etc.) Lives With Me. Can I Apply For Her?
Yes, if neither of the childs parents live with her. Your income would not be counted toward determining the childs eligibility unless you have adopted the child.
Q. I Receive Food Stamps From the Department of Social Services. Can I Apply for This Program?
Yes, but your application must be processed at the Department of Social Services. You may mail or take your application to the local Social Services office or mail or take it to the local Health Department office for forwarding to Social Services.
Q. How Will I Find Out If Im Eligible?
Youll receive a letter telling you if the people you applied for are eligible. The letter will give the names of all eligible members and the dates of coverage, as well as other information about how to get health care under the Program. You should receive your decision within 10 days of the receipt of your application by the Health Department (30 days if your application has to be processed at Social Services).
Q. If Im Eligible, How Do I Get Care?
If youre eligible, within 14 days you will receive a red and white Medical Assistance card. You may use this card to get health care until you enroll in the Health Choice program, which is made up of private Managed Care Organizations (MCO) throughout the State. Youll receive an enrollment packet in the mail with information about the MCOs in your area. You may pick any MCO. Youll be enrolled with the MCO you choose for your full eligibility period (pregnancy through delivery month plus 2 months for pregnant women; 1 year for children). If you dont choose an MCO, the State will pick one for you. If you already have a doctor, or know one youd like to go to, ask the doctors office which Health Choice MCOs they belong to and pick one of those MCOs when you enroll in Health Choice. Be sure to pick your primary care provider when You enroll. You can call Health Departments Health Choice nurse at (410) 273-5626 and ask for help with:
- MCO enrollment
- Understanding managed care health benefits
- General questions about the Maryland Childrens Health Program
Accessing other Health Department programs like:
Q. Where Do I Get Help If I Have a Problem with My MCO?
You should work through your MCOs Member Services Hotline first to resolve any problems. If you still need help, you can call the Enrollee Action Line at 1-800-284-4510.
