Maryland Medicaid Coverage Changes
Understanding Your Maryland Health Connection Medicaid Notice
Last Updated: August 24, 2026
Maryland Medicaid says federal changes may affect certain members beginning in October 2026 and January 2027. Maryland Medicaid will send an official notice before a change affects you. The notice will explain what is changing, when it will happen, and what you need to do.
Most Maryland Health Connection members will not be affected. Receiving a notice does not automatically mean that you will lose Medicaid.
Did you receive a Medicaid notice?
Contact Health & Harmony Insurance Agency before making changes to your coverage. A licensed agent can review the notice with you and explain the next steps.
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What is changing
Current Maryland Medicaid guidance says the October 2026 eligibility changes primarily affect certain non-citizen eligibility categories. They do not affect every immigrant or every person in a family with mixed immigration statuses.
Maryland Medicaid identifies these groups as affected:
- Asylees
- Refugees
- Non-citizens granted parole for at least one year
- Certain victims of abuse or trafficking
Maryland Medicaid says these non-citizens may still qualify if they meet all other program rules:
- Green card holders who meet the five-year rule
- Cuban and Haitian non-citizens
- Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants
- Pregnant people and children who currently qualify
Maryland Medicaid also states that the Healthy Babies Program will not change.
Changes for some adults beginning in January 2027
Maryland Medicaid says that some adults ages 19 to 64 may have new requirements. Maryland Medicaid will let you know if they apply to you.
- You may need to complete 80 hours each month of approved activities, such as working or volunteering, to keep Medicaid coverage. Some people may be exempt.
- You may need to renew coverage every six months instead of every 12 months.
Eligibility depends on each person’s circumstances
A household can include people with different citizenship or immigration statuses. Medicaid reviews each person’s eligibility separately. Income, age, pregnancy, household information, immigration category, and other program rules may matter. This page cannot determine whether a specific person qualifies.
Why you may receive a notice
An official Medicaid notice is about your individual case. Depending on what the notice says, Maryland Health Connection may be:
- Reviewing your current Medicaid eligibility
- Asking you to verify or update information
- Explaining whether and when your coverage may change
- Providing deadlines or steps you must complete
- Explaining Marketplace or other health coverage options, if applicable
The notice itself—not this general resource—explains what Maryland Health Connection has determined or needs from you.
What to do if you receive a notice
These are general steps for every recipient:
- Read every page carefully and note any deadline.
- Do not ignore the notice, even if you believe it does not apply to you.
- Follow any instructions to provide documents or information by the deadline.
- Keep your Maryland Health Connection account, mailing address, phone number, email, income, and household information up to date.
- Contact Health & Harmony Insurance Agency before canceling coverage, choosing a new plan, or making another coverage decision.
How Health & Harmony can help
Our licensed insurance agents can:
- Review the Maryland Health Connection notice with you
- Explain the notice and the eligibility information it requests
- Help you understand deadlines and next steps
- Discuss Maryland Health Connection Marketplace plans or other health insurance options if your Medicaid coverage changes
- Answer questions and help you contact the appropriate official agency when an eligibility decision must come from Maryland Medicaid or Maryland Health Connection
Health & Harmony does not make Medicaid eligibility decisions and does not provide legal advice. Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances and is determined by the appropriate Maryland agency.
Compare Maryland health insurance options if your coverage changes.
Common questions about Maryland Medicaid notices
Does a notice mean I am losing Medicaid?
No. A notice may ask for information, explain an eligibility review, describe a future coverage change, or provide other coverage options. Read the full notice before drawing a conclusion.
Are all immigrants affected?
No. The October 2026 changes focus on certain non-citizen Medicaid eligibility categories. Maryland’s official guidance lists both categories that are affected and categories that may continue to qualify. Each person’s case is different.
Will everyone in a mixed-status family have the same result?
Not necessarily. Maryland Medicaid reviews each person separately. One family member’s notice or immigration category does not, by itself, determine another family member’s eligibility.
What if Maryland Medicaid says I am no longer eligible?
Read the effective date and instructions in your notice. Health & Harmony can help you discuss Marketplace plans or other health insurance options. Do not cancel coverage or select a replacement until you understand the notice and available choices.
Official Maryland resources
This page summarizes current consumer guidance from Maryland Medicaid. For the official and most current information, use these state resources: