Maryland Health Insurance

How healthy is living in Maryland?

Maryland continued to improve in the ranking of healthiest states – climbing from 28th to 26th in the 2008 study results released by the United Health Foundation.

The good news:

• For the second year running, Maryland had the top ranking in the nation for access to primary care physicians. The state's rolls showed 178.6 physicians per 100,000 population, compared to the national average of 120.
• Just one state – New Hampshire – had a better rating for immunization coverage in 2008. The percentage of young children receiving recommended immunizations continued to climb – to 92.4 percent.
• The state's level of public health funding ($126 per person) was well above the national average of $88 per person.

The bad news:

• Since 1990, the percentage of Maryland residents who lack health insurance has climbed by 55 percent.
• The state's rate of violent crime is the nation's 9th worst, with 642 offenses per 100,000. That's almost 30 percent higher than the national average.

The state's best and worst category rankings:

• Number of primary care physicians – 1st
• Immunization coverage – 2nd
• Children (under 18) in poverty – 5th
• Public health funding – 5th
• Prevalence of smoking – 10th
• Violent crime – 42nd
• Infectious disease – 49th

See the United Health Foundation's latest findings on Maryland.

Does Maryland have a risk pool for the uninsurable?

Maryland Health Insurance Plan
Toll-free 1-888-444-9016 (M-F 8am-5pm)

Risk pools are state-sponsored programs to help people with a history of medical problems in their family to purchase coverage. These pools are for people who can afford to buy health insurance, but are not able to get underwritten in the private market because of a pre-existing health condition. These programs can vary significantly from state-to-state in price, benefits and number of people served. Often insurance companies doing business in the state are required to contribute to the poolto keep it in the black. In the best cases they allow people to be able to switch jobs or become self-employed without the fear of losing their health insurance coverage. Find more on risk pools here.

Cover The Uninsured's guide on finding health insurance in Maryland

Cover The Uninsured is a national effort to highlight the fact that too many Americans are living without health insurance and to demand solutions from our nation's leaders. Read more information on its efforts. It is a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

• Cover The Uninsured's facts on the uninsured in Maryland and all other states.
• Its guide on how to find health insurance in Maryland.
• Materiales En Español – Guías para encontrar cobertura de seguro de salud.

USNews health insurance rankings for Maryland

US News does an annual ranking of what it considers the best health insurance plans in each state. Visit its reports on various health insurance or medical insurance plans being offered in Maryland.

Official State Goverment Sites with Maryland Health Insurance Information

Maryland Health Care Commission -- links to consumer guide to health insurance, provided by the State of Maryland.

Maryland Medical Assistance Program -- providing access to health care services for many of the state’s low-income residents. Individuals may be eligible for services through the Maryland Medicaid Program, the Maryland Children’s Health Program or the Maryland Primary Adult Care Program (PAC).

Maryland Children's Health Program (MCHP) -- uses federal and state funds to provide health care coverage to low-income children 18 and under and pregnant women of any age.