Medicare Advantage Plans in Maryland for 2026

Medicare Advantage plans in Maryland (Medicare Part C) offer an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare by bundling hospital (Part A), medical (Part B), and additional coverages like prescription drug (Part D) coverage. Administered by private insurance companies, these plans’ care and costs vary locally, with Maryland featuring an average plan premium of $25.68 for the 2026 plan year.

What is a Medicare Advantage plan in Maryland?

Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) are a private alternative to your Original Medicare coverage. They provide your standard hospital (Part A) and medical (Part B) benefits, but these benefits are administered through the insurer's specialized provider networks.

Maryland Plan Types: HMO vs. PPO

When reviewing your options, paying close attention to network structures can help you avoid common frustrations like losing access to a favored specialist or facing coverage limits when traveling out of state:

• Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs): HMO plans feature managed care networks and generally require you to select a primary care provider (PCP) who coordinates your care and provides referrals for specialists. In Maryland, insurers like Kaiser Permanente and Alterwood Advantage lead the HMO market, which is popular in dense urban centers like Baltimore.

• Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs): A PPO gives you the flexibility to see out-of-network specialists without a primary care referral. Carriers like CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and Aetna offer prominent PPO networks, making them appealing options for residents in more rural regions or those seeking greater freedom of choice.

Popular Medicare Advantage Carriers Available in Maryland

Source: CMS Part C and D Performance Data  

Plan Availability by Top Maryland Counties

Because private insurance companies manage these options, your actual plan benefits and provider networks differ drastically depending on your county or zip code.

• Montgomery County: Home to a large population of beneficiaries, this county offers a wide selection of comprehensive HMO-POS (Point-of-Service) and PPO networks, catering to residents who prioritize compatibility with major medical providers in the D.C. metro area.

• Prince George's County: As a rapidly growing segment of private managed care, beneficiaries in this county have access to 20 Medicare Advantage plan options in 2026, resulting in competitive pricing and benefit structures.

• Baltimore County: This area features a significant population getting ready to age into Medicare enrollment. Plans here are structured to provide local access to world-renowned medical institutions like Johns Hopkins and other major regional health systems.

Disclaimer: Medicare Advantage plan availability, premiums, and provider networks in Maryland vary by county and ZIP code. County-level descriptions are based on general Medicare market trends, population distribution, and typical rural vs. urban plan availability patterns. Actual plan options and benefits are determined by each insurance carrier and may change annually. 

2026-2027 Maryland Medicare Enrollment Periods

To avoid gaps in care or potential late-enrollment penalties, keep these three key enrollment windows on your radar:

• Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) | October 15 to December 7: This is the main window for Medicare beneficiaries to make changes. During this time, you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or adjust your standalone Part D prescription drug coverage. Any choices you make during AEP go into effect on January 1 of the following year.

• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) | January 1 to March 31: If you are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan as of January 1, this dedicated window gives you one more opportunity to make changes to your coverage. During the OEP, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or drop your Advantage plan entirely to return to Original Medicare (with the option to add a standalone Part D prescription drug plan).

• Special Enrollment Period (SEP) | Occurs Based on Qualifying Events: Life events can allow you to alter coverage mid-year. Common Maryland triggers include permanently moving out of your plan's regional service area or newly qualifying for a Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) due to an update in your financial status.

Compare Medicare Supplement Plans in Maryland

If you prefer broad specialist access and want to eliminate network boundaries or primary care referral requirements entirely, a Medicare Advantage plan might not be the right choice for your lifestyle. Instead, you may want to look into keeping Original Medicare and pairing it with a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plan. By exploring Medicare Supplement plans in Maryland, you can secure more predictable out-of-pocket costs and the freedom to visit any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare. Be aware that you can’t be enrolled in a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time.

Why choose SelectQuote for Maryland Medicare plans?

With more than 40 years of experience guiding beneficiaries through their insurance options, SelectQuote makes shopping for insurance stress-free. Our licensed insurance agents compare options from a dozen recognized insurance carriers in minutes, providing clear, unbiased guidance so you can make your choice with confidence. And we’re here for you after you enroll if you have questions or your circumstances change—we’re just a phone call away.

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• Localized Expertise: Our agents understand the specific county-by-county network rules across Maryland, helping you align your plan with your preferred neighborhood providers.