CHIP in Maryland
Maryland at a glance
Maryland is home to about 1,030,670 foreign-born residents (16.6% of the state’s 6,206,011 people) and 774,946 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin (12.5%), per the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates). The procedures below apply to everyone in Maryland regardless of immigration status unless noted.
CHIP covers health insurance for uninsured children from families earning too much for Medicaid but unable to afford private insurance.
CHIP eligibility limits in Maryland (verified data)
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) — CHIP data by state
Verified on: 2026-05-25
Children’s health coverage in Maryland
| Child age | Medicaid (% FPL) |
|---|---|
| Infants 0-1 year | up to 194% FPL |
| Children 1-5 years | up to 138% FPL |
| Children 6-18 years | up to 133% FPL |
CHIP upper income limit in Maryland: 322% of FPL
CHIP-funded prenatal coverage (conception to end of pregnancy): up to 264% of FPL
How to apply for CHIP in Maryland
- Combined Medicaid+CHIP application via healthcare.gov
- Maryland state application (some states have own portal)
- By phone: 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669)
Maryland adopted CHIPRA Option
Maryland adopted the CHIPRA option, eliminating the 5-year bar for permanent-resident children. This means a child with a new green card (under 5 years in US) can qualify for CHIP in Maryland without waiting.
How to apply for CHIP in Maryland
- Visit Healthcare.gov or Maryland’s Medicaid/CHIP portal
- Complete the application — ONE application covers both Medicaid AND CHIP automatically
- Maryland determines if your child qualifies for one or the other
Typical coverage
CHIP covers: doctor visits, vaccines, hospitalization, dental, vision, prescriptions, mental health.
Income limits
Generally 200-300% federal poverty level. For family of 4: ~$60,000-$90,000/year.
Costs
CHIP has low co-pays (sometimes $0) and, in states that charge them, low monthly premiums; federal rules cap a family’s total CHIP cost-sharing at 5% of its income over the child’s eligibility period (42 CFR 457.560).
Related
Last verified: 2026-06-15.
Related procedural information
- Federal benefits eligibility by immigration status — who qualifies for what
- Find legal aid in your state — public-benefits appeals
- What an ITIN is and is not — an ITIN is a tax-filing number, not proof of eligibility for any benefit; each program sets its own identity and status rules
- Consulate of your country — many offer financial-assistance referrals
- Know Your Rights — public-benefits enrollment — agency confidentiality limits