Short-Term Health Insurance in Maryland (2026)
Need coverage for a few months? Here’s what short-term health insurance looks like in Maryland right now, and the alternatives that usually work better.
Short-term coverage in Maryland
Short-term plans are available in Maryland
Maryland law caps short-term plans at three months and bans renewals, which is stricter than the federal limit of three months plus one month of renewal. Federal regulators said in August 2025 they would stop prioritizing enforcement of the 2024 federal rule, but Maryland's own limit still applies. At least one insurer was marketing short-term plans in Maryland in 2026.
Short-term health plans are legal in Maryland but tightly limited. State law caps them at three months and does not allow renewals, so they work only as a brief stopgap.
These plans do not have to cover pre-existing conditions or all ACA essential benefits, and they do not qualify for tax credits. If you get sick during the term, you cannot simply extend the plan.
For most people, a better route is a Marketplace plan through a special enrollment period after losing coverage, or Maryland Medicaid if your income is low. A licensed agent can help you check whether you qualify for one of those first.
What short-term plans are, and aren’t
Short-term plans are not ACA-compliant health insurance. Where they’re sold, insurers can ask about your health, decline to cover pre-existing conditions, and leave out benefits like maternity care, mental health care or prescriptions. They don’t qualify for premium tax credits.
They can make sense for a healthy person filling a short, known gap. For anyone with an ongoing condition, or who might qualify for subsidies, a Marketplace plan is usually the better choice.
Maryland questions
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Maryland caps short-term plans at three months, and they cannot be renewed. That limit applies even though federal enforcement of the 2024 federal rule was relaxed in 2025.
At least one insurer was marketing short-term plans in Maryland in 2026. They do not have to cover pre-existing conditions and do not qualify for tax credits, so compare them with a Marketplace plan first.
If you just lost coverage, you likely qualify for a special enrollment period for a Marketplace plan. If your income is low, Maryland Medicaid can be an option at any time of year.
Sources
Reviewed October 2026. Rules and prices change every year; a licensed agent will confirm what applies to you.
