Private PPO Health Insurance in Maryland
Maryland packs Baltimore, the Washington suburbs, Annapolis, the Eastern Shore and Western Maryland into a small state. Many Marylanders work as contractors, consultants or small business owners and buy coverage on their own.
This guide covers how private PPO plans work in Maryland, example estimates from our quote tool, Maryland’s continuation rule, and how to confirm an agent is licensed.
Who shops for private coverage in Maryland
How a private PPO plan works
A PPO (preferred provider organization) plan has a network of providers who agree to set prices. You can usually see in-network providers without a referral, and some PPO plans also pay part of the cost outside the network. Four numbers decide what a plan really costs you:
- Premium: what you pay every month to keep the plan.
- Deductible: what you pay for covered services before the plan starts sharing costs. Some private plans offer $0 deductible options; others trade a higher deductible for a lower premium.
- Copays and coinsurance: your share of each covered service after the deductible.
- Out-of-pocket maximum: the most you pay for covered in-network services in a plan year.
Private plans are offered by insurance carriers, and benefits vary by plan. Applications can include questions about your household and history, so approval is not guaranteed, and some plans limit what they cover based on your answers. Always read the plan documents before you enroll. More detail: how PPO networks work and deductibles, copays and out-of-pocket maximums explained.
Working across state lines
Many Marylanders work in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Delaware or Pennsylvania. If you do, check whether a plan’s network includes providers where you work as well as where you live.
Maryland residency matters
Maryland continuation is for Maryland residents on contracts issued in Maryland. If you live in Maryland but your employer’s plan was issued in another state, ask the employer which rules apply.
What affects the price of a plan in Maryland
Your monthly price depends mainly on the ages of the people covered, the number of people on the plan, where you live, tobacco use, the plan design you pick (deductible and out-of-pocket maximum) and the carrier's underwriting.
| Household | Estimated monthly range |
|---|---|
| One adult, age 30 | $191 to $235 |
| One adult, age 45 | $209 to $256 |
| Two adults age 40 and one child age 9 | $425 to $516 |
These are example estimates from our quote tool, not offers. They assume non-tobacco use and do not include add-ons. Your actual rate depends on your age, household, plan choice and underwriting, and can be higher or lower. Get an estimate for your household.
Leaving a job-based plan in Maryland
When you leave a job in Maryland, compare federal COBRA or Maryland continuation with a private plan of your own.
| Option | How it works |
|---|---|
| Federal COBRA | Employers with 20 or more employees. Usually up to 18 months for the employee, at up to 102% of the plan premium. You generally have at least 60 days to elect. |
| Maryland state continuation (Insurance Article 15-409) | Insured plans issued in Maryland, including employers with fewer than 20 employees. Up to 18 months for Maryland residents covered for at least 3 months, whether they left voluntarily or were let go other than for cause. Request it in writing within 45 days. You pay the full premium plus up to a 2% fee. |
| Private individual plan | Your own plan, not tied to any employer. Price and approval depend on the carrier and underwriting. Many private plans accept applications year round. |
Maryland continuation ends early if you get other group or individual coverage or stop paying, and it does not apply to self-funded plans. Compare its cost with a private plan estimate within the 45 day window.
More on this: leaving a job-based plan and COBRA vs a private plan.
Taxes for the self-employed
If you are self-employed and not eligible to join a plan offered by your own or your spouse's employer, you may be able to deduct health insurance premiums for yourself, your spouse and your dependents on your federal return (IRS Form 7206). Maryland has a state income tax and county income taxes. Ask your tax preparer how the federal self-employed deduction affects your Maryland return. See the self-employed health insurance deduction.
Check the license, know the regulator
Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA). The Maryland Insurance Administration licenses agents and insurance companies in Maryland and handles consumer questions and complaints. You can verify an agent license through the MIA.
Maryland health insurance questions
How long does Maryland state continuation last?
How long do I have to elect Maryland continuation?
Are the prices on this page what I will pay?
How do I check that an agent is licensed in Maryland?
Sources
- Maryland Insurance Administration: Continuation of health coverage
- Maryland Insurance Article 15-409
- U.S. Department of Labor: COBRA continuation coverage
General information, not legal or tax advice. Plan availability, benefits and prices vary by carrier and are subject to underwriting. Last reviewed November 2026.
Other state guides: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin. All 31 states.
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