What is MCHP?

MCHP is a health insurance program that offers full benefits to working families earning below a certain income. (See Family Income Chart below.) Children up to age 19 and pregnant women of any age are eligible for free doctor's care. Medical care is offered through HealthChoice (Medical Assistance, Medicaid), a group of private Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). In an MCO, you and your doctor (called a primary care provider) are partners in your care.

What is MCHP Premium?

MCHP Premium is for working families who have higher incomes than MCHP families. Through MCHP Premium, families can apply for access to health insurance for their children up to age 19. For a monthly premium per family, all of the children in the family can be covered.

What are the medical services?

Both MCHP and MCHP Premium provide children with the following services:

• Hospital care
• Prenatal doctor's visits and hospital delivery
• Prescription medicines
• Doctor's visits and check-ups
• Dental and vision care
• Mental health, drug and alcohol services
• Shots, lab work and tests
• Home health

Are proof of United States citizenship and proof of identity required for MCHP and MCHP Premium?

Yes, you will need to provide proof of United States citizenship and proof of identity or proof of Legal Permanent Residency for any person applying for MCHP or MCHP Premium. Click here for a list of types of items you can show to prove your citizenship and identity. You can bring the documents to the Department of Health or you can mail in photocopies of the documents. At some time, you may be required to show the actual document to your Department of Health caseworker for verification.
Click here For an Affidavit of Identity for a Child Younger Than 16 Years Old

What are the maximum yearly family income requirements for MCHP and MCHP Premium?

How do you apply?

It's easy! Call 410-222-4792 to have an application mailed to you or visit one of the Department of Health's community health centers listed below. Call the center nearest you to confirm service hours.

• Annapolis Health Center, 3 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis 410-222-7381
• Brooklyn Park Health Center, 300 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park 410-222-6620
• Glen Burnie Health Center, 416 A Street SW, Glen Burnie 410-222-6633
• Magothy Health Center, 2501 Mountain Road, Pasadena 410-222-6640
• Parole Health Center, 1950 Drew Street, Annapolis 410-222-7247

Applications are also available at branches of the Anne Arundel County Public Library, Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services offices and at some local doctors' offices.

Completed applications may be mailed to: Eligibility and Enrollment, Anne Arundel County Department of Health, 1 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Suite 200, Annapolis, MD 21401, or they may be taken to one of the health centers.

For information about the eligibility requirements, call the MCHP Hotline at 1-800-456-8900 (1-800-735-2258 TDD) or the Maryland Children's Health Program Division at 1-410-767-6898 or 1-410-767-6890.

For more Web information about MCHP, visit Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Healthy Moms and Babies - Health Resources for Mothers and Their Babies.