Effective Date: Oct. 1, 2026

Health Plans Affected: Priority Partners

Type of Change: Medicaid Status

Explanation of Change:

Starting Oct. 1, 2026, a new federal law (H.R. 1) has changed Medicaid eligibility requirements nationwide regarding immigration status. As a result, some noncitizens in Maryland will lose their Medicaid coverage effective Oct. 1, 2026.

Individuals impacted by this change received a letter from Maryland Health Connection in mid-July. The Maryland Health Connection and the Maryland Department of Human Services sent official notices in August and September regarding their coverage end date.

Available Resources

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has launched a dedicated toolkit to help providers navigate these changes with those you serve. Please access these resources here:

• Updated Immigration Status Requirements Webpage and FAQs
• Medicaid Member Immigration Changes One-Pager
• Provider Immigration Changes FAQ Document
• Other digital toolkits for work requirements

Please help your impacted members by sharing these resources with them, as well as familiarizing your office staff with the new eligibility requirements. Contact MDH at [email protected] with questions and concerns.