The Maryland Health Insurance Plan provided access to affordable, comprehensive health benefits for medically uninsurable residents of the State. For Maryland residents who did not have access to health insurance or were deemed medically uninsurable, the Maryland Health Insurance Plan contracted with a third-party administrator to provide health insurance. Beginning in January 2014, members enrolled in the standard Maryland Health Insurance Plan could elect to continue their coverage, but were required to pay the full amount of the premium. Coverage for these enrollees continued until at least December 31, 2014, but did not end later than January 2020 (Chapter 159, Acts of 2013). The Plan stopped enrolling members effective January 1, 2015.
Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program. The Maryland Health Insurance Plan also oversaw administration of State pharmaceutical assistance through the Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program. For low- and middle-income Maryland senior citizens, the Program allotted subsidies to reduce out-of-pocket costs, including copayments, under the federal Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage plan (Code Insurance Article, secs. 14-510 through 14-515). This program transferred to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on July 1, 2016 (Chapter 321, Acts of 2016).
In 2010, the Maryland Health Insurance Plan additionally was made responsible for the federal temporary high-risk pool program in Maryland (Chapter 173, Acts of 2010). Under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), the program made available affordable health insurance to uninsured individuals with preexisting conditions. This federally funded program continued until December 31, 2013. Then, health insurance was made available through the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. Some individuals who attempted to transition to a plan through the Exchange were unsucessful due to technical difficulties with the marketplace website. These "bridge eligible individuals" were eligible to keep or enroll in the Maryland Health Insurance Plan through at least March 31, 2014 with retroactive coverage to January 1, 2014 (Chapter 1, Acts of 2014).
Subscriber premiums, and an assessment on hospital net patient revenues funded the Plan.
On July 1, 2016, the Maryland Health Insurance Plan was repealed, and its remaining employees, property, and liabilities transferred to the Maryland Health Benefits Exchange (Chapter 321, Acts of 2016).
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Maryland Health Insurance Plan was subject to the supervision and control of its ten-member Board of Directors, which was created in 2002. After adapting a plan of operation for the Maryland Health Insurance Plan, the Board submitted it, as well as any subsequent amendments, to the Maryland Insurance Commissioner for approval.
Created in 2002, the Board of Directors consisted of ten members (Chapter 153, Acts of 2002). The Board appointed the Executive Director of the Maryland Health Insurance Plan (Chapter 153, 2002; Chapter 259, Acts of 2008; Code Insurance Article, sec. 14-503).
The Board was abolished effective July 1, 2016 (Chapter 321, Acts of 2016).
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e-mail: mdmanual@maryland.gov
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