Maryland’s 2027 individual plans and approved rates

By ICHRA Report · Published September 22, 2026 · Updated November 4, 2026

What Maryland published

The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange presented its proposed 2027 individual-market plan lineup at the September 21 board meeting while rate and form approval was pending. Four days later, the Maryland Insurance Administration announced its approved individual and small-group premium rates. ^{source source source}

November 4 update. This article originally covered the September 21 presentation. It now includes the subsequent rate approval and current enrollment instructions. We continue to attribute the 43-plan count to the September presentation.

What changed inside the 43-plan total?

The September presentation counted 43 qualified health plans for each year. It showed an added CareFirst gold plan and the departure of Kaiser’s platinum plan, with no count change for UnitedHealthcare or Wellpoint. It also showed some partial-county service areas. A change in the plan mix matters even if the statewide count is steady. Use the current Marketplace results for your address to confirm the 2027 options. ^{source source}

Why this matters for an ICHRA employee

Start with the premium for the plan you can actually buy and the amount your employer will reimburse. The individual and small-group averages describe different insurance markets. Comparing those two percentages alone leaves out the price of the employer’s group quote, the local individual plan, the contribution, and the cost of using each plan. ^source

For example, Maryland’s rate release lists an approved CareFirst BlueChoice off-exchange Silver example for a 40-year-old in the Baltimore metro region at $371 a month in 2026 and $431 in 2027. The ICHRA affordability calculation instead uses the applicable lowest-cost self-only Silver plan available to the employee through the Marketplace. Get that premium for the relevant location and age before applying the employer contribution. ^{source source}

What can the deductible table tell us?

The September presentation shows ranges of deductibles and actuarial values by carrier and metal level. For a decision today, check the current plan’s summary of benefits, deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, provider network and formulary. Use the network and prescription checklist to verify the care you need. ^source

Which price belongs in your comparison?

Write down the plan’s full premium and your employer’s reimbursement. Maryland offers its own premium assistance for eligible households. Report your ICHRA offer when checking eligibility. Compare what you would pay if you accept the ICHRA with any alternative the Marketplace determines you qualify for. Check the premium and expected cost of care for each option. ^{source source}

What to verify before enrollment

Maryland Health Connection’s Open Enrollment runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 31 for January 1 coverage. Plan selections from January 1 through January 15 begin February 1. Confirm the insurer’s first payment deadline. ^source

1. Check the current Marketplace options for your address and record the plan ID and quoted premium.
2. Confirm the network, prescriptions and cost sharing for that exact plan.
3. Use the applicable local benchmark and contribution in the 2027 affordability calculation.
4. Confirm policy activation before relying on reimbursement. See the coverage activation guide.

For comparison with other state decisions, see the 2027 planning outlook.

Sources and evidence

Review dates are recorded for each source above. Company pages are useful for confirming how a product is described, but they do not prove service quality or customer results.