Maryland Health Insurance Companies

In the United States, it is difficult to get or afford quality medical care without health insurance. Many people get insurance through their employers, and others qualify for federal programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. It is also possible to buy private health insurance without going through an employer or the government. Some health insurance companies specialize in one area of the country, while other have expanded to almost every state. Several health insurance companies either have their headquarters or have regional offices in Maryland, and the state also offers its own Maryland Health Insurance Plan (MHIP).

MEDEX Global Group

• MEDEX Global Group is a travel health insurance company with headquarters in Baltimore. MEDEX has individual and group plans designed for expats and travelers from the U.S. One plan, the TravMed Choice, also provides coverage for foreign nationals traveling to America. TravMed Choice features 24-hour medical assistance, a number of emergency medical expenses benefits, a medical evacuation benefit and benefits for accidental death and dismemberment. It also covers hospital costs and doctors' fees. The plan has deductibles of either $100 or $250, depending on which level you sign up for. MEDEX's other individual plan, the TravMed Abroad, also covers doctor and hospital fees, worldwide travel assistance and emergency medical evaluation, but does not cover foreign nationals in the U.S. The plan does have a seven-day minimum and 90-day maximum length of trip to apply. Group plans can be customized to include natural disaster service, political evacuations, ground transportation and evacuation to a hospital near your hometown.

  MEDEX Global Group

  8501 LaSalle Road, Suite 200

  Baltimore, MD 21286

  800-537-2029

  medexassist.com

Aetna

• Aetna is an international insurance company with locations all over the world. Aetna offers special programs in Maryland for state of Maryland employees, both active and retired. Open Access Aetna Select is a network-based health care plan for both individuals and families. Members must choose a primary care physician from the national network, and the plan only covers care provided in the network. But patients can see any doctor within the network without a referral. Open Access Aetna Select has no deductibles and covers baby care, mammograms, routine physicals, outpatient surgery, hospitalization, emergency treatment, diabetic supplies, mental health care and substance abuse. State employees can also choose the POS II plan, which offers many of the same services but allows them to go out of the network. POS II has an enhanced vision benefit as well.

  Aetna Health

  Aetna Building 1

  980 Jolly Road

  Blue Bell, PA 19422

  800-501-9837

  aetnamd.com

CareFirst of Maryland

• CareFirst is an independent licensee of Blue Cross Blue Shield. The company administers Maryland's state-run health insurance plan. CareFirst of Maryland is the parent company which offers residents of Maryland who cannot get health care from other sources two basic insurance plans. The CareFirst BlueChoice is an HMO, while the CareFirst Blue Preferred is a PPO plan. The Maryland Health Insurance Plan also offers the MHIP Federal, for people who have been without health insurance for six months and who cannot get it because of a pre-existing health condition. The Federal has a high deductible, with the PPO has either a $500 or $1,000 deductible. Those with limited incomes may be able to sign up for PPO plan with a $200 deductible.

  CareFirst of Maryland

  10455 Mills Run Circle

  888-444-9016

  Owings Mills, MD 21117

  carefirst.com