Origin Stories
This landmark 2010 federal law required states to either set up their own health insurance marketplace or use the federal one.
What is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)?
These are the three primary "metal levels" of private health plans offered on the exchange, named after precious materials.
What are Bronze, Silver, and Gold?
These trained individuals provide free, in-person assistance to help residents determine eligibility and choose plans.
What are Navigators?
In 2026, Maryland enrollment actually grew by 3.4% despite the expiration of these federal financial boosts.
What are the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits?
If you get married, lose your job, or have a baby, you may qualify for this period to enroll outside of the standard dates.
What is a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)?
On April 12, 2011, this Maryland Governor signed the act that officially established the MHBE as a public corporation.
Who is Martin O’Malley?
This is the name of the official mobile app used by Marylanders to enroll in coverage and upload documents.
What is "Enroll MHC"?
This unique Maryland program allows residents to check a box on their state tax return to see if they qualify for low-cost insurance.
What is the Maryland Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program?
In response to federal inaction, Governor Wes Moore and the General Assembly expanded this state-level program to lower premiums for 2026.
What is the Maryland Premium Assistance Program?
In 2020, Maryland had the longest Special Enrollment Period in the country to help residents during this global crisis.
What was the COVID-19 pandemic?
Maryland’s "no wrong door" marketplace, which officially opened for enrollment on this date in 2013.
What is October 1, 2013?
Since April 2014, small business owners have been able to enroll their employees through this specific program.
What is SHOP (Small Business Health Options Program)?
This individual has served as the Executive Director of the MHBE since 2017.
Who is Michele Eberle?
Enrollment for this specific age group (18–37) grew by 7% in 2026, thanks in part to state-specific subsidies.
Who are Young Adults?
This is the specific income threshold (expressed as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level) above which Marylanders generally lose eligibility for state premium assistance in 2026.
What is 400%?
This 2013 Maryland Act was the final step in the three-year effort to expand Medicaid and conform state law to federal consumer protections.
What is the Maryland Health Progress Act?
While private plans have a set Open Enrollment period, Marylanders can apply for this public health program at any time of the year.
What is Medicaid (or MCHP)?
The MHBE is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of this many members.
What is nine?
Because of rising costs in 2026, over 5,000 Marylanders engaged in this practice, moving from Gold plans to Bronze plans to save on premiums.
What is "buying down"?
In 2026, roughly 18,000 people in this specific residency category lost eligibility for federal tax credits but remained a focus for state outreach.
Who are lawfully present immigrants?
Unlike many state agencies, the MHBE is technically classified as this type of entity, giving it independence within the state government.
What is a public corporation?
To ensure "network adequacy," insurers in Maryland submit provider data to this statewide health information exchange.
What is CRISP (Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients)?
This state official currently serves as the Chair of the MHBE Board of Trustees as of 2026.
Who is Dr. Meena Seshamani (Secretary of Health)?
As of 2026, the state subsidy program replaces this percentage of lost federal subsidies for those under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
What is 100%?
Individuals who file for this specific state benefit through the Department of Labor may also trigger a Special Enrollment Period for health coverage.
What is Unemployment Insurance?