Medicare in Maryland serves about 1.1 million beneficiaries, with 43% enrolled in Medicare Advantage and the remainder on Original Medicare + Medigap. Average Medigap Plan G premium for a new 65-year-old enrollee: $156/mo. Stand-alone Part D plans average $45/mo.
Medicare Beneficiaries
1.1 million
Age 65+ and disabled
MA Enrollment
43%
% on Medicare Advantage
Avg Medigap Plan G
$156/mo
New enrollee, age 65
| Topic | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Advantage plans available | 50+ | Varies by county; check medicare.gov plan finder |
| Top MA carriers | UnitedHealthcare, Aetna/CVS, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield | Networks differ by county |
| Stand-alone Part D | $45/mo | Required if you have Original Medicare + Medigap |
| Annual guaranteed-issue Medigap switching | No (one-time 6-month window at 65) | No state annual GI rights; Maryland operates a unique all-payer hospital rate-setting system, which affects how MA plan negotiations work differently than in most states. |
Medigap premiums vary by carrier, age, and ZIP code. The 2026 Part B premium is $202.90/month and Part B deductible is $283. Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026.
Maryland operates the nation's only all-payer hospital rate-setting system, where all insurers — including Medicare and Medicare Advantage — pay the same regulated rates to Maryland hospitals. This unique regulatory framework means that MA plan hospital negotiating leverage is less relevant in Maryland than in other states, and the cost differential between Original Medicare and MA plans at the hospital level is minimal. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is the dominant carrier in Maryland's commercial and MA markets, with strong relationships across Johns Hopkins Medicine, University of Maryland Medical System, and MedStar Health. The Washington, D.C. metro area (including Montgomery and Prince George's counties) creates a multi-state coverage consideration for beneficiaries who regularly cross into Virginia or the District.
Maryland's MA enrollment rate of about 43% is below the national average, reflecting in part the affluent suburban populations in Montgomery, Howard, and Anne Arundel counties where higher incomes make Medigap premiums manageable and where IRMAA is a regular consideration. Medigap Plan G averages about $156/month, consistent with Mid-Atlantic pricing. Maryland has no birthday rule or annual Medigap switching protections. Eastern Shore and western Maryland rural communities have adequate coverage through the all-payer system, but rural beneficiaries should verify MA network adequacy before enrolling, as hospital rate-setting doesn't automatically ensure strong MA PPO networks in every geography.
In Maryland, traditional Medicare combined with a Medigap supplement (typically Plan G or N) plus a stand-alone Part D plan provides nationwide access with predictable costs. Plan G covers everything except the $283 Part B deductible.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans bundle Medicare Parts A, B, and usually D into one private plan, often with $0 premium beyond Part B. Trade-offs include network restrictions and prior authorization. 43% of Maryland beneficiaries currently choose MA.
No state annual GI rights; Maryland operates a unique all-payer hospital rate-setting system, which affects how MA plan negotiations work differently than in most states.
💡 Maryland Pro Tip
Maryland beneficiaries in the Baltimore metro area and Washington, D.C. suburbs typically have access to 50 or more Medicare Advantage plans. The Eastern Shore and western Maryland generally have 20 to 35 options. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna are the primary carriers in the state.
The average Medigap Plan G premium for a 65-year-old in Maryland is approximately $156 per month. Maryland's all-payer hospital rate system does not reduce Medigap premiums — those are set by insurer pricing — but it does mean hospital cost exposure is regulated, which may influence how much catastrophic risk Medigap must actually cover.
Maryland does not have a birthday rule or annual guaranteed-issue protections for Medigap. Switching outside your 6-month open enrollment at 65 or a qualifying federal event requires full medical underwriting. Maryland residents near the D.C. border should be aware that Virginia and D.C. also lack annual switching rights.
Beneficiary counts and MA enrollment percentages from CMS state-level Medicare data; premium averages from 2026 carrier rate filings for Maryland. Verify current plan costs at medicare.gov before enrolling.
Jennifer Walsh
Editorial Lead, Health & Medicare
This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.
Reviewed May 2026
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