If you live in Maryland, you have a number of options for Medicare coverage, including Original Medicare (parts A and B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), and Medicare Part D (drug coverage).

Medicare is a health insurance program offered by the United States government.

People who live in Maryland are generally eligible for Medicare when they turn 65 years old, but you may be eligible at a younger age if you have certain disabilities or medical conditions.

This article reviews Medicare plans for those who live in Maryland, including what to consider when choosing a plan, plan eligibility, and how to enroll.

2025 Medicare trends in Maryland

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported the following information on Medicare trends in Maryland for the 2025 plan year:

  • A total of 1,138,161 residents of Maryland are enrolled in Medicare.
  • The average Medicare Advantage monthly premium decreased from $33.05 in 2024 to $30.92 in 2025.
  • There are 64 Medicare Advantage plans available in Maryland for 2025, while there were 68 plans in 2024.
  • All Maryland residents with Medicare have access to a Medicare Advantage plan, including plans with $0 premiums.
  • There are 10 Medigap plans offered in Maryland for 2025. Plans C and F are no longer available to new Medicare members.

Medicare Maryland is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage to people ages 65 and over, as well as people with certain disabilities, across the state. You can use Medicare as your only health insurance or use it as a supplemental plan for additional coverage.

Several Medicare plans are available in Maryland, including Original Medicare (Parts A and B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Part D (drug coverage), and Medigap (supplemental coverage) plans.

Original Medicare

Original Medicare is a two-part plan made up of Part A and Part B. Together, these parts cover all basic health needs, including:

Medicare Advantage plans

Medicare Advantage (Part C) covers the same services as Original Medicare, and sometimes prescription drugs, all under one plan. Some plans include coverage for other health services, such as hearing exams and devices, vision services, and dental needs.

Advantage plans may also provide coverage for additional healthcare services, such as fitness classes or wellness programs.

Many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Maryland, and each has a unique set of coverage options, drug plans, and premiums.

Insurance carriers offering Medicare Advantage plans in Maryland include:

Medicare Advantage plan offerings vary by county. To research plans in your area, you can enter your zip code into this online Medicare search tool.

Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D is Medicare’s prescription drug coverage. You may purchase a Medicare Part D plan from Medicare or as part of a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare supplement plans (Medigap)

Original Medicare does not pay for all your healthcare costs. To cover these costs, you may decide to buy Medicare supplement insurance, which is also called Medigap. These policies can help you pay deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

Many companies offer Medigap plans in Maryland. Here are some of the companies offering Medigap plans throughout the state:

With so many Medicare plans in Maryland, it’s important to do your research in order to find the right plan for your healthcare needs. The following tips can help you narrow your choices:

1. Calculate your current healthcare costs

Include all current health insurance premiums, out-of-pocket expenses, and the services you accessed that were outside of your coverage. Look for a plan that will cover all these expenses, or as many of them as possible, to lower your out-of-pocket costs and make it easier for you to access quality care.

2. Call your doctor’s office

Did you know that private health insurance providers only work with network-approved doctors? If you’re considering a Medicare Advantage plan, ask your doctor what plans they accept and make sure your new plan will cover your consultations and appointments.

3. Read reviews of the plans you’re considering

You can check the Medicare star ratings to find out what other people think of each plan. The plans are rated on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest score. Plans with a high score are known to deliver excellent care and great support to plan members.

Medicare plans in Maryland are available to people over age 65, as well as to people with certain disabilities or chronic conditions.

You’ll be able to enroll in Medicare plans in Maryland if you meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • You’re 65 years old or older.
  • You’re a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • You qualify for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits.

You may also be eligible if you live with certain disabilities or a chronic health condition such as end stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

When can I enroll in Maryland’s Medicare plans?

If you qualify for Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you’ll likely be automatically enrolled in Medicare when you meet the eligibility criteria.

If you’re not automatically enrolled in Original Medicare, your first opportunity to enroll in Medicare is during the initial enrollment period. This period starts 3 months before your birth month in the year you turn 65 and ends 3 months after your birth month, giving you time to research coverage options and find a plan that matches your needs.

Medicare Advantage plans in Maryland change every year, so you may want to reevaluate your coverage once per year.

You’ll have two opportunities per year to switch between plans and find the coverage that’s best suited to your needs: during the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period from January 1 through March 31 and the Medicare Medicare annual enrollment period from October 15 through December 7.

Has your employment status recently changed? If you’re no longer receiving employee benefits or you’ve recently received a diagnosis of a chronic condition, you can use a special enrollment period to enroll in Medicare in Maryland and receive coverage right away.

You can use these resources if you have questions about Medicare plans in Maryland or need help enrolling in Medicare:

  • Medicare (800-633-4227): You can contact Medicare directly to get more answers, compare plans, and find out more about Medicare coverage.
  • Maryland Health Care Commission (877-245-1762): You can find out more about federal and private Medicare plans and get advice on planning for long-term care or home care options.
  • Maryland Department of Aging (800-243-3425): The Maryland Department of Aging can provide information on health insurance, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program for counseling and assistance, community wellness connections, and senior center services.

If you live in Maryland, you have several Medicare options to choose from.

You can sign up for Original Medicare (parts A and B) and decide whether to add Medicare Part D (drug coverage).

Alternatively, you may decide to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. Many private insurance companies in Maryland offer Medicare Advantage plans.

There are also several Medigap plan options available to you if you live in Maryland and are looking for additional coverage.