MEDICAID AND MCHP

Medicaid (also called Medical Assistance or MA) and the Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP) are state health insurance programs for children and teens.

To get Medicaid or MCHP:

• Your child must live in Maryland (even if not living with you) and be under age 19.
• You must have a low income. For example:

Number of people in your family	Your income each month must be less than:*
1	$2,873
2	$3,878
3	$4,883
4 or more	For each additional person, add $1,005 to the number just above

Attention: If your income is a little higher than the numbers below, you should still apply. Some of your income may not count.

* These are the numbers for 2013. They will go up a small amount each year.

• If your child is disabled and needs care in a hospital or nursing facility, only your child’s income counts.

Your child must be a U.S. citizen or meet certain immigration requirements to get Medicaid or MCHP.
If your child is not a citizen, see “Health insurance programs if you or your child is not a U.S. citizen” on the last page of this brochure.

Most people with Medicaid or MCHP get their health care through a managed care plan.
HealthChoice is Maryland’s statewide managed care program.
Medicaid and MCHP pay for all your child’s health care. Medicaid may even pay for medical care your child got in the three months before you apply. You may have to pay a small premium every month.

To apply for Medicaid and MCHP:

• Call the Maryland Medical Assistance Help Lines at 800-456-8900. Ask how to apply and what information you need to show.
• Go to http://dhmh.state.md.us/mma/mchp/ for more information.
• You can also apply online at www.marylandSAIL.org.

To keep getting Medicaid and MCHP:
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will send you a form. Fill out the form and return it right away so your child’s health insurance does not get cut off.

• The Medical Care for Children Partnership pays for some prescriptions and doctor visits, including specialists for children under 19.
• Your immigration status and your child’s immigration status do not matter.
• You must have a low family income (for example, $4,070 a month for a family of three in 2013).
• Your child must not have other public or private health insurance.
• You may have to pay a few dollars for some services.
• To apply, call 888-561-4049.

If your child lives in Montgomery County:

• Care for Kids allows children under 19 to get low-cost well child visits, sick visits, immunizations, lab and radiology services, medications, and dental services through Montgomery County Dental Clinics.
• Your immigration status and your child’s immigration status do not matter.
• You must have a low family income (for example, $4,070 a month for a family of three in 2013).
• Your child must not have other public or private health insurance.
• You may have to pay a few dollars for some services.
• Call the Montgomery County Service Eligibility Unit:
  • 240-777-3120 in Rockville
  • 240-777-3066 in Silver Spring
  • 240-777-3591 in Germantown

If your child has a chronic illness or disability:

• Children’s Medical Services (CMS) pays for specialist and hospital care, surgery, medications, therapies, lab work, x-rays, and medical equipment.
• Your child must live in Maryland and be under age 22.
• Your immigration status and your child’s immigration status do not matter.
• You must have a low family income (for example, $3,255 a month for a family of three in 2013). If you have high medical bills, you may be able to get CMS even if your income is higher.
• Call 800-638-8864. Or visit www.cms.fhamd.org.

If your child has HIV or AIDS:

• The Maryland AIDS Insurance Assistance Program can help pay your child’s health insurance premiums. Call 800-205-6308 or 410-767-6535. Or visit http://dhmh.state.md.us/AIDS/ to apply.
• You can call the Infectious Disease and Environmental Health Administration at 800-358-9001 for help paying for HIV and AIDS medications and visits to HIV-specific medical clinics.

If your child needs a kidney transplant or dialysis, or has Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS):

• Call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 to apply for Medicare.
• Medicaid can help you pay your child’s Medicare costs. This part of Medicaid is called QMB or SLMB. Call800-456-8900 and ask how to apply.

Consider buying private health insurance for your child:

• This can cost a lot.
• When you apply, you will have to answer questions about your child’s health. Your child may need a physical exam.
• If your child is under 19, the insurance company cannot turn your child down because of a health problem your child had before you applied. This is called a pre-existing condition.
• If your child is over 19, the insurance company may turn your child down because of a pre-existing condition. Even if your child is accepted, the insurance may not cover your child’s pre-existing condition. Make sure to ask whether the insurance will pay for all the services your child needs.
• If your child has a pre-existing condition, he or she may qualify for Maryland Health Insurance Plans (MHIP, MHIP+ and MHIP Federal). Your child’s health and immigration status do not matter. Call 888-444-9016. Or visit www.marylandhealthinsuranceplan.state.md.us.
• For a list of Maryland health insurance companies and plans, go to www.mdinsurance.state.md.us. Click on “Consumer Information,” then “Publications”.

Children who are not U.S. citizens can get health care and health insurance in Maryland. Applying will not hurt your immigration status or your child’s. Parents’ immigration status does not matter when applying for insurance for your child.

If your child meets the other requirements for getting Medicaid or MCHP, your child probably can get benefits if:

• your child is a Legal Permanent Resident, or
• your child is a refugee, or
• your child is an asylee.

Some other immigrants can also get Medicaid or MCHP. Call the Maryland Medical Assistance Help Lines at800-456-8900 or visit www.dhr.state.md.us/blog/?page_id=805 to get the address for your local Department of Social Services’ office. Or call Maryland Legal Aid at 888-215-5316.

Some immigrants can get other programs:

• If your child lives in Prince George’s County, call the Medical Care for Children Partnership at 888-561-4049.
• If your child lives in Montgomery County, call the Montgomery County Service Eligibility Unit nearest you about Care for Kids. Call:
  • 240-777-3120 in Rockville
  • 240-777-3066 in Silver Spring
  • 240-777-3591 in Germantown
• If your child has a chronic illness or a disability, call Children’s Medical Services at 800-638-8864.

If you cannot get other insurance, find out about Emergency Medical Assistance:

• Emergency Medical Assistance covers the birth of your child and most medical emergencies. Call the Maryland Medical Assistance Help Line at 800-456-8900.
• Your child’s immigration status does not matter.
• Your child must live in Maryland and meet all other Medicaid requirements.

HELPFUL PHONE NUMBERS

Visit www.dhmh.state.md.us/gethealthcare for a complete listing of public programs.

For legal help:

• Call Maryland Legal Aid at 888-215-5316.
• Call Prince George’s County Community Legal Services at 301-864-8353.
• Call the Maryland Disability Law Center at 800-233-7201 if your child has a disability.
• If you do not qualify for Legal Aid, call Montgomery County Lawyer Referral Service at 301-279-9100 or Prince George’s County Lawyer Referral Service at 301-952-1440. The lawyers they refer you to may charge a fee. Tell them that you have a low income or ask for a reduced fee.