Maryland Medical Assistance
Low-income women can apply to get family planning benefits.The Family Planning Program is a limited benefit program that only covers family planning services. Visits to a doctor, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or clinic for birth control will be covered.; Services include:
- Advice about birth control methods;
- Physical exams, including pelvic and breast exam; screenings, such as pap smears and sexually transmitted infections when done as part of the family planning visit;
- Birth control pills and devices, such as IUDs;
- Emergency contraception; and
- Permanent sterilization (must be age 21 or over).
Abortion and infertility treatments are not covered.
Please note, the Maryland Medical Assistance Family Planning Program does not cover enough services to be a health insurance plan. You may have to pay a fine if you do not enroll in another health insurance plan as of January 1, 2014. Visit www.MarylandHealthConnection.gov or call 1-855-642-8572 to find out what plan is right for you. You may qualify for full Medicaid benefits or get help paying for a health insurance plan.
Can I Get Family Planning Benefits?
You may be eligible if:
- Under 51 years of age;
- Maryland resident;
- U.S. citizen or a qualified alien; and
- Your income is at or below the amounts listed in the income eligibility chart .
You are not eligible if:
- You are pregnant;
- Have had a permanent sterilization; or
- Are enrolled in another Medical Assistance Program or Medicare.
Postpartum women, with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, who are no longer eligible for MCHP, will continue to be automatically enrolled in the Family Planning Program.
What Information Do I Need to Apply?
To complete the Family Planning Program Application, you will need:
- General personal information (such as name, address, telephone number, date of birth, social security number) for you, your spouse, and children living with you;
- Sources and amounts of income for you and your spouse;
- Information on any other health insurance coverage that you might have; and
- Child care expenses (if applicable).
How Do I Apply?
- Call 1-855-692-4993 to have an application sent to you; or
- Fill out and print a copy of the application.
English Application
Spanish Application
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Mail completed applications to:
Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
Family Planning Program
P.O. Box 296
Balti more, MD 21298-9795
Or fax to: 410-333-0134
Note: Faxes can only be received from 8:00am to 4:30pm,
Monday thru Friday, when the State is open for business.
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What Happens after I Apply?
Eligibility will be determined within 45 days of the date the Family Planning Program receives your application. A notice will be sent to the address you gave on your application. The notice will say whether you have been found eligible or ineligible.
If you are found eligible, you will receive a purple and white Family Planning Program card, a letter explaining why you are getting a new card, and what services the card will pay for.
You must keep the Family Planning Program up-to-date on name changes, address changes, medical changes that impact fertility, health insurance status, and income level.
Every year, the Family Planning Program will send enrollees an application so that eligible women can show that they still meet the program requirements. Enrollees must complete and return the application to remain eligible for the program.
As Part of the New Family Planning Program, How Will I Get Care?
Family Planning Services are available anywhere the purple and white Family Planning Card is accepted. Check with your primary care provider, Local Health Department, Family Planning Clinic, Planned Parenthood, or Federally Qualified Health Center to see if the purple and white card is accepted.
Who Should I Contact If I Have More Questions?
- 1-855-692-4993 for questions about eligibility, the FPP card, or status of your application.
- 1-800-456-8900 for questions about benefits or finding a healthcare provider.
- 1-800-735-2258 for TDD for the Disabled.
