Code for America and State of Maryland Partner to Streamline Medicaid Eligibility Amid H.R. 1 Implementation

Partnership brings together the civic technology ecosystem to protect access to healthcare benefits ahead of new federal redetermination and work reporting requirements

OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Code for America, the leading civic tech nonprofit making public services easier to navigate through technology, and the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE), the agency that administers Maryland Health Connection, the state of Maryland's health insurance marketplace, today announced a new partnership to streamline eligibility and enrollment processes for Maryland Medicaid members and caseworkers as the state prepares for new federal requirements under H.R. 1.

Beginning in January, all 50 states must implement new federal Medicaid rules, including twice-yearly redeterminations and expanded work-reporting verification for many adults. These requirements will significantly increase the administrative burden on Medicaid recipients, who will have to do more to prove eligibility, and on caseworkers, who will have to do more to verify eligibility. The challenge is heightened by short implementation timelines, unclear policy guidance, and outdated technology solutions. In Maryland, approximately 1.47 million people receive Maryland Medicaid coverage and about 320,000 of those members will be affected by the new rules and are at risk of losing coverage.

Under the partnership, Code for America will work alongside the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE) to upgrade government technology and workflows before the new Medicaid requirements take effect. The partnership will also draw on expertise from Maryland Medicaid and non-profit organizations focused on civic technology. Civilla will support a redesign of the mobile application, and Public Policy Lab (PPL) will help improve the notices Maryland Medicaid members receive so important information and required actions are clear and next steps are easy to navigate.

"Partnering with Code for America will accelerate our efforts to put human-centered design at the very heart of state government," said MHBE Executive Director Johanna Fabian-Marks. "Our mission is to connect Marylanders with high-quality, affordable health coverage through innovative technology. Working alongside Code for America will help us move that mission forward with simple, intuitive technology. We are proud to lead the way in showing how public-private partnerships can serve the state."

"At a moment when states are being asked to do more with fewer resources, we are mobilizing the civic technology ecosystem around a shared goal: helping protect Medicaid coverage for eligible members while giving caseworkers the tools and support they need," said Rebecca Piazza, Executive Director of Safety Net Strategy at Code for America. "Maryland is showing what it means to lead by preparing early, bringing together expertise from all corners, and taking action on behalf of the people it serves."

Code for America will work with Maryland to reduce Maryland Medicaid caseworker burden and improve the customer experience while measuring outcomes in real-time. This includes mapping caseworker workflows and co-designing tools that reduce manual work; redesigning confusing notices so members understand what they need to do and when; and simplifying the application experience so people can more easily access benefits while caseworkers spend less time resolving preventable issues.

This effort builds upon Code for America's ongoing government partnerships to strengthen the social safety net by making it easier for eligible people to access and maintain benefits, including food assistance and health coverage, while reducing the administrative burden on caseworkers.

Code for America has also developed a work requirements implementation guide and a corresponding toolkit with a variety of resources government agencies can use to navigate changes under H.R. 1.

About Code for America
Code for America, the country's leading civic tech nonprofit for over 15 years, believes that government can work for the people, and by the people, in the new digital age. We work with government at all levels across the country to make the delivery of public services better with technology. We partner with community organizations and governments to build digital tools and client-facing apps that help people navigate government, change policies, and improve programs. Our goal: a resilient government that works well for everyone. Learn more at codeforamerica.org.

To partner with Code for America, visit: https://codeforamerica.org/partner-with-us/hr-1-snap-and-medicaid-support/ 

About Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE)
Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE), a public corporation and independent unit of state government established in 2011, administers Maryland Health Connection, the state's official health insurance marketplace.

About Maryland Health Connection (MHC)
Maryland Health Connection (MHC) is the official state-based marketplace for Marylanders to shop and enroll in health insurance, as well as determine eligibility for Medicaid and other assistance programs. It is the only place where Marylanders can access financial help such as tax credits to make health coverage more affordable.

About Maryland Medicaid
Maryland Medicaid provides comprehensive health coverage to approximately 1.5 million Marylanders, roughly one in five state residents, including children, pregnant women, older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income adults. The program supports more than 120,000 providers, making it a critical component of Maryland's health care system and a major driver of access, health outcomes, and health care delivery across the state. Maryland Medicaid also plays a central role in supporting healthcare across the life span, including maternal and child health, behavioral health, long-term services and supports, and home- and community-based services.

Media Contact:
Kate Troiano
Vrge Strategies
[email protected] 

SOURCE Code for America