Access to Health Care Services
The Bureau of Access to Health Care Services helps with enrollment into healthcare plans by: processing insurance applications for low income families; assisting clients with applying for health insurance and providing services to help clients navigate the Medicaid system; and scheduling transportation for Medicaid recipients to receive necessary medical treatment.
Hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For additional information call 410-313-5845.
Is Your Information Up-to-Date?
Have you moved? Changed your phone number? There will be changes coming to healthcare coverage in the upcoming months. To get important messaging about these critical changes, we have to have your current contact information. Give us a call today at 410-313-5845 to make sure we can reach you with important updates.
Health Insurance Sign-up
Health Insurance open enrollment for 2025 has ended, but you may be eligible for a special enrollment period. Registration is available daily through Maryland Health Connection. In-person sign-up assistance is available at the Health Department (Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm). You may be eligible for free or low cost coverage. Call 410-313-5845 or email medicaid@howardcountymd.gov for more information.
Free consumer assistance is available by calling 855-642-8572 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Deaf and hard of hearing use Relay. Help is available in more than 200 languages.
Maryland Healthcare Assistance
Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of people, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women. Medicaid is administered by states, according to federal requirements.
The Health Department can help if you have questions, need information or want to apply. Contact us at 410-313-5845 or come into our offices at 8930 Stanford Blvd, Columbia, MD 21045. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm.
Changes are coming to Maryland Medicaid - this year, renewals won't be automatic. Individuals on Medicaid may no longer be able to continue receiving benefits if they have not completed their renewal. Here's what you can do now to prepare:
- Update your contact information to make sure your current address, phone number, and email are on file so you'll get notices about changes to your coverage.
- Open your mail and read any letters you get from Maryland Health Connection to find out how changes will affect you.
- Take action to ensure you don't miss key deadlines. The letters will tell you what you need to do to get continued benefits.
Call us today at 410-313-5845 or email medicaid@howardcountymd.gov to learn more!
State Resources
Pregnant Maryland residents who previously did not qualify may now be eligible to receive full medical benefits through Medicaid during their pregnancy and up to 4 months after the baby is born. Medicaid pays for health care for people who cannot afford it. Medicaid is the same as Medical Assistance. Sign up for Medicaid as soon as you know you are pregnant so you can get the care you and your baby need right away.
You can apply:
- Online at marylandhealthconnection.gov
- By using the app: Apple or Android
- By calling 1-855-642-8572
- TTY users call 711 for Maryland Relay
- In person at a local Health Department
- In person at a local Health and Human Services Office
The Health Department can help if you have questions, need information or want to apply. Contact us at 410-313-5845, email medicaid@howardcountymd.gov or come into our offices at 8930 Stanford Blvd, Columbia, MD 21045. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm.
Participant Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, in part, you must:
- Be pregnant
- Live in Maryland
- Meet income limits
Medicaid may help pay for health care you had in the three months before you applied. To learn more, talk to Maryland Health Connection, or go to your local Health Department or Department of Social Services.
State Resources
The Maryland Departments of Human Services and Health have launched an updated easy-to-use benefits screener tool that will allow Marylanders to streamline access to many essential support programs. In just a few clicks, the Benefits screener invites Marylanders to discover what benefits they may qualify for, including:
- Food Assistance (SNAP)
- Cash Assistance (TANF, TDAP, PAA)
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Energy Assistance (OHEP)
- Medical Assistance (MA)
Visit MarylandBenefits.gov and click on "check eligibility" to get started.
Maryland residents are now eligible for discount prescription medicines through the website goodpill.org.
Anyone with a Maryland mailing address who faces high prescription costs can receive their prescriptions from Good Pill, regardless of insurance status.
Most prescriptions from Good Pill are available for $2 per month. To access the Good Pill pharmacy, Marylanders simply need to check the list of available medications, complete a one-time registration, and ask their health care provider to send their prescription to Good Pill. Prescriptions are typically available in 90 day supplies and are delivered to the patient’s home within 5-7 days.
For more information, read the full press release sent by Governor Wes Moore's office.
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Programs
ACCU's mission is to assist all Medicaid/HealthChoice or Medicaid/HealthChoice eligible individuals to remain in care and have access to needed health care services, local resources and programs
For more information call 410-313-7323 or email accu@howardcountymd.gov.
The Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) provides transportation services for clients who need medical care and have no transportation.
Howard County Health Department determines eligibility for MCHP. The MCHP program provides full health care coverage to pregnant women and families. Covered services include in-patient hospital care, doctor visits, lab tests, dental care, eye care, medicines and immunizations.