Maryland residents can apply for health coverage and social services programs through a broad number of “entry points,” including online websites operated by the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE) and Department of Human Resources (DHR); by contacting a call center; or by receiving assistance from local health department staff, local department of social services staff, navigators, certified applications counselors, hospitals or insurance brokers.  The wide array of entry points gives consumers many different opportunities to apply for and renew coverage, and allows them to select an approach consistent with their personal circumstances and needs.

In a new legislatively-mandated report for the Hilltop Institute at the University of Maryland at Baltimore County, Manatt Health:

• Presents an overview of current entry points into health and human services in Maryland, focusing primarily on Medicaid and Marketplace coverage;
• Describes promising approaches that other states are adopting to provide efficient, coordinated access to health coverage and social services programs; and
• Offers recommendations for improving access to health coverage programs in Maryland and for reducing inefficiencies.