Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Maryland’s Medical Assistance for Families initiative expands medical assistance.  Now, parents, and other family members caring for children whose income is for example less than $20,500 for a family of three, are eligible for medical assistance. (See the income eligibility chart). 

Most individuals participating in Medical Assistance for Families are enrolled in one of HealthChoice’s Managed Care Organizations (MCOs).  These organizations offer services including free comprehensive health coverage as well as low-cost or free prescription drug benefits.  

Depending on your family size and household income, you may be eligible for medical assistance. For example, if you are pregnant and make less than $35,000, you are eligible for medical assistance.  (See the income eligibility chart) 

Pregnant women should:

• Go online to get a Medical Assistance application: click on a link on the right, or;
• Call the Medical Assistance hotline at 1-800-456-8900 to request an application, or;
• Completed applications for pregnant women should be sent to the local health department.  

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.  

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.  (See the 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 or 443-643-0343 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 Department of Social Services to complete an application.  Application assistance at the Harford County Health Department in Bel Air is by appointment only.

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.  

Please contact either:

MCHP office – 443-643-0343;

Administrative Care Coordination Unit (ACCU) – 410-273-5626

Maryland’s Medical Assistance hotline at 1-800-456-8900  or email MAExpansion@dhmh.state.md.us,

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/

No, your children’s 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. 

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

14.  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 you’re pregnant or after the baby is born.

15.  My Grandchild (or Niece, Sister, etc.) Lives With Me.  Can I Apply For Her? 

Yes, if neither of the child’s parents live with her.  Your income would not be counted toward determining the child’s eligibility unless you have adopted the child.

16.  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.

17. How Will I Find Out If I’m Eligible?

You’ll 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 I’m Eligible, How Do I Get Care?

If you’re 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.  You’ll receive an enrollment packet in the mail with information about the MCO’s in your area. You may pick any MCO.  You’ll 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 don’t choose an MCO, the State will pick one for you. If you already have a doctor, or know one you’d like to go to,  ask the doctor’s office which Health Choice MCO’s they belong to and pick one of those MCO’s when you enroll in Health Choice.  Be sure to pick your primary care provider when You enroll. You can call Health Department’s Health Choice nurse at (410) 273-5626  and ask for help with:

• MCO enrollment 
• Understanding managed care health benefits
• General questions about the Maryland Children’s Health Program

Accessing other Health Department programs like:

• Pregnancy Testing

Q. Where Do I Get Help If I Have a Problem with My MCO?

You should work through your MCO’s 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.

INELIGIBILITY

If you are not eligible for Medical Assistance for Families, you might be eligible for other programs such as 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.

Customer Rights and Responsibilities

 Maryland Medical Assistance Programs

MCHP – MCHP-Premium – Medical Assistance for Families

Civil Rights - The application will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin or political belief.  The applicant can request a hearing if he/she believe the State of Maryland, in processing his/her application, has made an error or if he/she feels discrimination occurred. 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.