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Maryland Medicaid, called the Medical Assistance (MA) program, helps lower health care costs for individuals of all ages. You might qualify for Medicaid if your income and resources are limited. 

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Maryland Medicaid pays for routine and acute health care services.

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If you require assistance with your healthcare coverage and expenses, consider applying for Medicaid even if you think your income or assets are above the eligibility limits, as certain types of income do not contribute to the income limit.

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If your income exceeds the limit but your medical expenses are very high, you might qualify for the Medically Needy Program.

Maryland Medicaid Programs

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Traditional Medicaid: Participants are enrolled in Maryland’s statewide mandatory managed care system and choose or are assigned a private Managed Care Organization (MCO) to coordinate their care.​

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Medical Assistance - Aged, Blind, Disabled (MA-ABD): Must be at least 65 years old, blind, or disabled.

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Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS): Supports older adults and people with disabilities receiving care at home rather than moving to a nursing facility. Provides services like bathing, dressing, meals, housework, and medical equipment. Aims to help individuals stay safe, healthy, and independent in their homes or communities as long as possible.

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Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) Program: If you're employed and have a disability, this program may provide health benefits. However, earning income could disqualify you from benefits like Medicaid. The EID program lets you work, save, and keep health coverage, possibly with a monthly premium.

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Medicaid Nursing Home Program: This program covers the costs of Medicaid-approved nursing home care for low-income individuals with limited assets who need daily assistance. It includes room, board, help with daily tasks, meals, and medical services. Qualification depends on health and financial criteria.

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Medically Needy (MN) Program: If your income exceeds Maryland's Medicaid limit but you face high medical costs, you might still qualify through the Medically Needy Program by 'spending down” your income to fall below the “medically needy' threshold. This involves using your income on medical expenses, with the required amount depending on your income and household size. Under this program, only your medical expenses are counted; expenses covered by other insurance or Medicare are excluded.

Applying for Medicaid​

 

You can apply for Medicaid through the following:​

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  • Maryland Health Connection, Maryland's official health insurance marketplace

    • Click here to set up an account and apply online

    • Call the Consumer Support Center at (855) 642-8572, Monday to Friday, 8 am – 6 pm. Note: The highest call volume is on Monday.

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  • Talbot County Department of Health

    • Make an in-person appointment to learn your eligibility, assist you with the application process, and help you understand your benefits by calling (410) 819-5600.​​

    • Talbot County Health Department has insurance eligibility workers available for walk-ins for questions and for enrollment assistance on a first-come, first-served basis, but appointments are preferred.

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  • Local Navigator

    • ​Consumer assistance organizations have navigators in each county to offer free, in-person help in determining eligibility for health plan savings or Medicaid.

    • Call Talbot County's Local Navigator, Seedco, for assistance at (866) 492-6057.​​​

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  • Authorized Insurance Broker

Administrative Care Coordination (ACC)

 

ACC provides assistance to eligible Medicaid/Medical Assistance beneficiaries in accessing and appropriately using their health care benefits, such as:

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  • Information on the fee-for-service system and how to use it prior to plan enrollment

  • Selecting a Managed Care Organization (MCO) and how the managed care system works

  • Importance of selecting and using a primary care provider

  • Renewing or updating Medicaid coverage

  • The importance of timely follow-up, especially when appointments or treatments have been missed

  • Benefits and the importance of preventive health care, dental care, and more

  • Availability and importance of preventive services 

  • Self-referred services, such as substance use/behavioral health services

  • Transportation and the Medical Assistance Transportation program

  • MCOs for disease management, care coordination, or case management services

  • The HealthChoice Help Line and local ACC services

  • A list of local HealthChoice providers and resources.

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Contact the ACC Administrator at the Talbot County Health Department, Monday through Friday, 8 am - 5 pm at (410) 819-5600 ext. 5654.

Nurse Ombudsman Program


The Talbot County Health Department Ombudsman is a Registered Nurse who assists with resolving complaints by assisting Maryland Medicaid recipients with problems they may have with their insurance or Managed Care Organization (MCO).​

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Click here to learn more about the program and for contact information.

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