To find affordable health insurance, Maryland residents should stack the savings: federal premium tax credits, Maryland Premium Assistance (up to 400% of the poverty level, with extra help for ages 18–37) and, for lower incomes, Medicaid or MCHP. All of it runs through Maryland Health Connection. Open Enrollment is Nov 1, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027.
Updated for the 2027 plan year (October 2026). Reviewed by a licensed agent.
- Four layers of savings in Maryland
- 2027 income limits for your household
- What you pay for a benchmark plan
- Maryland Premium Assistance in plain English
- Bronze, silver or gold: picking the right tier
- Mistakes that cost Marylanders money
- Self-employed, between jobs or offered job coverage
- Maryland cities
- Frequently asked questions
Affordable health insurance Maryland: four layers of savings
Maryland is one of the few states that adds state money on top of federal subsidies. That means two people with the same income can pay very different amounts depending on whether they apply through Maryland Health Connection or buy directly from an insurer. Only the exchange can apply the savings below.
- Medicaid and MCHP. Maryland expanded Medicaid, so most adults up to 138% of the poverty level qualify. Children in families above Medicaid limits may qualify for the Maryland Children’s Health Program. Enrollment is open all year.
- Federal premium tax credit (APTC). For household incomes from 138% to 400% of the poverty level, the credit caps what you pay for the benchmark silver plan at a set share of income.
- Cost-sharing reductions. At or below 250% of the poverty level, silver plans come with lower deductibles and copays.
- Maryland Premium Assistance. State help for incomes up to 400% of the poverty level, applied automatically, with extra help for adults ages 18 to 37.
For the full picture of the exchange, dates and insurers, see our Maryland health insurance guide. For how the federal credit works everywhere, read our 2027 subsidies guide.
2027 income limits for your household
Savings for 2027 coverage are based on the 2026 federal poverty guidelines and your expected 2027 household income. In Maryland, 138% of the poverty level is the Medicaid line for most adults, and 400% is the top of the federal tax credit. The table shows the dollar thresholds.
| Household size | 100% FPL | 138% FPL (Medicaid line) | 400% FPL (credit cliff) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $22,025 | $63,840 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $29,863 | $86,560 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $37,702 | $109,280 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $45,540 | $132,000 |
Add $5,680 at 100% for each extra person. Income here means modified adjusted gross income for everyone in your tax household, not just the person applying. Maryland Health Connection’s income calculator page explains what to count.
The 400% cliff is back. The enhanced federal credits expired at the end of 2025, so a household even a dollar over 400% of the poverty level gets no federal credit for 2027. If you are close to the line, contributions to a traditional 401(k) or an HSA can lower your counted income.
What you pay for a benchmark plan in 2027
The federal credit works by capping your share of the benchmark (second-lowest-cost) silver plan at a percentage of income. The IRS set these 2027 percentages in Rev. Proc. 2026-26. If you pick a cheaper plan you pay less; a pricier plan costs you the difference.
| Income (% of poverty level) | Your expected contribution (2027) |
|---|---|
| Under 133% | 2.15% |
| 133% – 150% | 3.23% – 4.30% |
| 150% – 200% | 4.30% – 6.78% |
| 200% – 250% | 6.78% – 8.66% |
| 250% – 300% | 8.66% – 10.22% |
| 300% – 400% | 10.22% |
| Over 400% | No federal credit |
Maryland Premium Assistance then reduces your premium further if you qualify, which is why the state’s own examples show lower prices than federal math alone. The IRS premium tax credit basics page explains reconciliation at tax time.
One rule changed for 2026 tax returns and later: federal law removed the cap on paying back excess advance credits. If your income ends up higher than you estimated, you could owe back the full difference. Estimate carefully and report raises during the year.
Honesty.AI estimates your federal and Maryland savings and shows every 2027 plan side by side.
Maryland Premium Assistance in plain English
Maryland Premium Assistance is state money that lowers your monthly premium after the federal credit is applied. In 2027, Marylanders of any age with incomes up to 400% of the poverty level may qualify, according to Maryland Health Connection. It applies to bronze, silver and gold plans bought through the exchange.
Young adults get more. Marylanders ages 18 to 37 receive extra help on top of the regular state assistance, which matters because younger adults are the group most likely to go uninsured when prices rise. If you are in that age range, look at your quote before deciding coverage is out of reach.
The state also reduces premiums indirectly through its State Reinsurance Program, a federal 1332 waiver the Maryland Insurance Administration says is approved through 2028. Even with that help, regulators approved an average 14.6% rate increase for 2027, so shopping matters more than ever when you look for affordable health insurance. Maryland renewals are automatic, and the automatic choice is not always the cheapest.
Bronze, silver or gold: picking the right tier
The cheapest premium is not always the cheapest year. The right metal tier depends on your income and how much care you expect to use. Here is the honest short version for Maryland shoppers in 2027.
- Income at or below 250% of the poverty level: look at silver first. Only silver plans carry cost-sharing reductions, which can make a silver plan work like a gold or platinum plan. The exchange’s own 2027 examples note that for lower incomes, silver can be less expensive overall than gold.
- Healthy, higher income, little expected care: bronze has the lowest premiums and the highest deductibles. Pair it with an HSA-eligible plan if offered.
- Regular prescriptions, a planned surgery or a pregnancy: compare gold. Higher premiums can be offset by lower costs when you use care.
Every 2027 Marketplace plan caps in-network out-of-pocket costs at $12,000 for one person and $24,000 for a family. Our guide on how to choose a health plan walks through deductibles, networks and drug formularies step by step.
Mistakes that cost Marylanders money
Most overpaying comes from a few avoidable errors. Each one below is common, and each has a simple fix.
- Buying off-exchange. Federal credits and Maryland Premium Assistance are only available through Maryland Health Connection.
- Auto-renewing without updating income. Your 2027 savings use your 2027 income estimate. Old numbers can mean too little help, or a tax bill.
- Waiting past December 31. Enrolling January 1–15 still works, but coverage starts February 1.
- Ignoring Medicaid for the kids. Children can qualify for Medicaid or MCHP even when parents qualify for a private plan.
- Missing the tax-time door. If you are uninsured at tax time, check the Easy Enrollment box on your Maryland return to open a short enrollment window.
More general strategies are in our national guide to affordable health insurance.
Self-employed, between jobs or offered coverage at work
Your situation at work changes which savings you can use. Self-employed Marylanders, gig workers and early retirees usually buy through the exchange and qualify for savings based on household income. If you are looking for affordable health insurance, Maryland Health Connection is also the place to compare against COBRA after a job loss.
COBRA keeps your old employer plan, but you typically pay the full premium plus an administrative fee, and you cannot combine it with a federal credit. Losing job-based coverage opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period, so compare both before you decide. Maryland Health Connection’s COBRA FAQ covers the timing.
If an employer offers you coverage, you can still shop the exchange, but you generally cannot get a federal credit when the job-based plan is considered affordable. For 2027, a plan is affordable if your share for employee-only coverage is no more than 10.22% of household income. Family members are judged on the cost of family coverage.
Low-income Marylanders in tough spots should also know about free navigator help. Connector entities in every county help with Medicaid, MCHP and private-plan savings at no cost.
Maryland cities
Want affordable health insurance? Maryland cities differ in hospital networks and local help, so our two most-searched city guides go deeper:
- Baltimore: an independent city with world-class academic hospitals, five federally funded community health center organizations, and free navigators through HealthCare Access Maryland.
- Frederick: one main community hospital system (Frederick Health), a city-run federally qualified health center, Fort Detrick military families on TRICARE, and in-person help from AHEC West.
How Honesty helps you pay less
Honesty.AI is the world’s first patented, licensed AI insurance agent, and it is on your side, not the carriers’. It applies your federal credit and Maryland Premium Assistance, compares ACA, alternative and ancillary plans, and flags when a silver plan with cost-sharing reductions beats a cheaper-looking bronze.
Honesty® Insurance Services, LLC (NPN 21094885) is licensed in Maryland. Ask by chat, voice or text, any time.
Find affordable 2027 coverage in Maryland
Stack every federal and state saving you qualify for and compare all Maryland Health Connection plans in minutes. Honesty Is Your Best Policy®.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get affordable health insurance in Maryland?
Apply through Maryland Health Connection, which is the only place to get federal premium tax credits and Maryland Premium Assistance. The same application checks Medicaid and MCHP eligibility. Report your expected 2027 income accurately so your savings are right.
Who qualifies for Maryland Premium Assistance in 2027?
Marylanders of any age with household incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level who enroll in a bronze, silver or gold plan through Maryland Health Connection may qualify. People ages 18 to 37 receive extra help.
What is the income limit for Medicaid in Maryland?
Maryland expanded Medicaid, so most adults qualify with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level. For 2027 coverage that is about $22,025 for one person or $45,540 for a family of four.
Can I get a subsidy if I earn more than 400% of the poverty level?
Not a federal one. For 2027 the federal premium tax credit ends at 400% of the poverty level, which is $63,840 for one person or $132,000 for a family of four. Maryland Premium Assistance also tops out at 400%.
When is the deadline to enroll in Maryland for 2027?
Open Enrollment runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 31 for coverage starting January 1; enrollments from January 1 to 15 start February 1.
Keep learning: read our full Maryland health insurance guide, see local details for Baltimore and Frederick, learn how the 2027 subsidies are calculated, or compare tiers with how to choose a health plan.
