Maryland Estimates Up to 152,000 People Could Lose Medicaid Under New Federal Rules That Start Jan. 1

EASTON, MARYLAND — Maryland health officials estimated in an Oct. 14 news release that as many as 152,000 people could lose Medicaid coverage because of new federal requirements. The Maryland Department of Health release was about a cross-agency roundtable on the federal law known as H.R. 1. The state figures are statewide; the release does not break out Talbot County.

The release lays out three numbers. Under the H.R. 1 changes, 4,500 people in Maryland lost Medicaid coverage on Oct. 1 based on immigration status. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, 320,000 Marylanders will be subject to work and community-engagement requirements and to renewals twice a year in order to stay covered. Maryland's current estimate is that as many as 152,000 of them may lose coverage because of the new requirements. The release also says up to 80,000 Marylanders may now need to report work hours to keep food assistance under SNAP.

Who is covered by the work rules is spelled out on Maryland Health Connection's Medicaid Check-In page. The rules apply to adults ages 19 to 64 who earn up to $21,000 a year for one person, or up to $44,000 for a family of four. People are exempt if they are under 19 or 65 and older, if they have Medicare Part A or Part B, or if they fall into other listed categories, including caring for a child under 14, being pregnant or having given birth in the past 12 months, or having a health condition that limits work. The immigration change applies only to adults; children and pregnant people do not lose coverage under it.

Maryland Health Connection says it sent notices in September to members who need to meet the rules. Starting Jan. 1 it will check, using data it already has, whether a member meets them. If it needs more proof, it will send a letter or email explaining what to submit. Members who must meet the rules can do so each month by earning at least $580 from a job, going to school at least half-time, or completing 80 hours of any mix of paid work, school, job training and volunteering. At a 2027 renewal, a member must show the requirement was met for at least one month.

The state's advice on the page is to check whether the rules apply by logging in to a Maryland Health Connection account or using its online tool, to keep contact information current, to report changes in income or family size, and to read every letter and email. The Consumer Support Center number is 1-855-642-8572.

Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani said in the release: "We are working across state government and with trusted community partners to help people understand these federal changes, complete required steps and keep their coverage."