Health insurance in Maryland is a necessity even as it’s expensive. A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation stated that an individual Affordable Care Act plan costs $477 per month on average. Yet, your actual costs could vary based on factors outside your control, like age. On the other hand, your monthly expenses will likely be significantly lower if you qualify for a government- or employer-sponsored plan than if you pay for an ACA plan or buy one privately. Here’s what you need to know about cheap health insurance in Maryland.
Top Cheap Health Insurance in Maryland
In 2021, approximately 6.5% of Maryland’s population was uninsured, with most residents receiving insurance through their employers. To help reduce the number of uninsured individuals, we have compiled a list of Maryland’s top affordable health insurance options.
Beem
Beem, a marketplace for insurance, offers many affordable and flexible health insurance plans designed to fit different lifestyles and budgets. Whether you’re looking for short-term coverage, accident insurance, critical illness protection, or dental care, Beem has options to ensure you find the perfect plan.
| Pros | Short-Term Medical Flexible coverage from 30 days to a year. Individual and family options. Benefits for office visits and urgent care. Access to large national networks. Accident Insurance Helps pay out-of-pocket costs after an accident. No network restrictions. Guaranteed coverage for ages 18-64. No waiting periods. Critical Illness Cash benefits for out-of-pocket costs after diagnosis. No deductibles or network restrictions. Lump sum cash benefit up to plan limits. Four coverage tiers. Dental Preventive and basic services start on day one. Multiple benefit levels. No waiting period for preventive care. Network discounts on both basic and major services. |
| Cons | Short-Term Medical Limited to short-term needs. Accident Insurance Supplementary to primary health insurance. Critical Illness Limited to specified critical illnesses. Dental Network discounts vary by state. |
| Monthly Cost | Short-Term Medical Varies with coverage and duration. Accident Insurance Depends on the plan. Critical Illness Varies with coverage tier. Dental Depends on the plan. |
| Out Of Pockets | Short-Term Medical Includes coinsurance and copays. Accident Insurance Fixed benefits for covered services. Critical Illness Fixed cash benefits. Dental Network discounts on services. |
| Deductibles | Short-Term Medical Wide range available. Accident Insurance None. Critical Illness None. Dental None for preventive care with most plans. |
CareFirst BlueChoice
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield’s Individual Health Plans offer the widest coverage and the largest medical, dental, and vision insurance network in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. With access to over one million doctors, hospitals, and health facilities, CareFirst ensures you find the care you need.
| Pros | Extensive network of providers. Wide range of insurance options. 24/7 virtual primary care through CloseKnit. |
| Cons | Potentially higher premiums for extensive coverage. |
| Monthly Cost | Varies by plan and coverage level. |
| Out Of Pockets | Varies by coverage and services used. |
| Deductibles | Range from low to high depending on the plan. |
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente offers a range of metal tier plans (bronze, silver, gold, platinum) on the ACA marketplace, providing more choices for consumers. Known for its superior quality ratings and excellent average deductibles for silver plans, Kaiser Permanente ensures seamless healthcare with its integrated health system.
| Pros | Competitive health insurance costs. Seamless integrated health system. High-quality marks from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Best average ACA plan ratings. |
| Cons | Available in only eight states. Limited provider acceptance in many states. Higher consumer complaints to state insurance commissioners. |
| Monthly Cost | Varies by metal tier and coverage level. |
| Out of pockets | Varies by plan and services used. |
| Deductibles | Excellent average deductibles for silver plans. |
UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is known for its extensive provider network, covering over 1.5 million medical providers and 7,000 hospitals nationwide. With some of the lowest average silver plan deductibles and better-than-average NCQA quality ratings, UnitedHealthcare offers dental, vision, accident, and critical illness plans.
| Pros | Large provider network. Better-than-average NCQA quality ratings. Wide range of insurance types available. |
| Cons | Fewer metal tier options in the ACA marketplace. Higher health insurance premiums compared to some competitors. |
| Monthly Cost | Higher than some competitors. |
| Out Of Pockets | Varies by plan and services used. |
| Deductibles | Low average deductibles for silver plans. |
Maryland Health Connection
Maryland Health Connection offers affordable health insurance options for residents of Maryland. Individuals and families can find coverage that suits their needs and budget with various plans available. However, like any insurance marketplace, there are advantages and drawbacks when choosing a plan.
| Pros | Affordable options for Maryland residents. Variety of plans to choose from. |
| Cons | Costs may still be high for some individuals. Limited options compared to larger insurers. |
| Monthly Cost | Varies based on plan selection and eligibility. |
| Out-Of-Pockets | Varies by plan and services used. |
| Deductibles | Depends on the plan chosen. |
Conclusion
Health insurance ensures access to high-quality healthcare in Maryland, but obtaining affordable and comprehensive coverage can be challenging. The insurance marketplace Beem helps you compare various policies and pick the one that suits you the best. Beem guarantees that people can safeguard their health and future without financial hardship.
Read Related Article: Cheap health insurance in Kentucky.
FAQs
Who has the lowest health insurance rates in Maryland?
Maryland’s lowest health insurance rates vary depending on age, location, and coverage needs, but companies like Beem and Maryland Health Connection offer competitive rates.
How to get free health insurance in Maryland?
Depending on income eligibility and other criteria, free health insurance options in Maryland may be available through programs like Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Which has low deductibles and out of pockets in Maryland?
Plans with low deductibles and out-of-pocket costs in Maryland may include options from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Kaiser Permanente, and UnitedHealthcare, especially for certain metal tiers like silver plans.
