Connector Enitiy Program Grants FY 2027

The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE) is requesting grant applications from qualified organizations to serve as Connector Entities providing Consumer Assistance Workers services across six designated service regions in Maryland for Fiscal Year 2027, with applications due January 30, 2026 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time and a Letter of Intent to Respond due January 16, 2026.

Eligible applicants must be community-based organizations with existing or readily establishable relationships with uninsured and underinsured populations, sufficient infrastructure to operate by July 1, 2026, ability to comply with privacy and security standards, and capacity to meet specified program conditions. Ineligible entities include individuals holding Maryland Insurance Administration licenses, health insurance issuers, managed care organizations, insurance industry associations, and entities receiving consideration from health insurance issuers.

The scope includes in-person application and enrollment assistance, community outreach activities, and referral services to help eligible individuals and families access health coverage through Maryland Health Connection. Grantees must establish Community Service Centers in designated "High Focus Meta Areas" with persistently high uninsured rates. Salary caps apply: Program Managers up to $130,000 annually, Supervisors/Outreach Managers up to $95,000 annually, and Consumer Assistance Workers/Leads up to $80,000 annually. Indirect costs are limited to 15% of invoiced amounts. Grantees must maintain Commercial General Liability insurance with minimum limits of $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate.

The total statewide allocation for FY 2027 is a not-to-exceed budget of $9.1 million distributed among six selected Connector Entities, with final funding amounts determined by region size, enrollment volume, demonstrated need, and application strength. Funding derives from federal Medical Assistance Program funds (CFDA No. 93.778) and State general funds. The grant period runs July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with one additional one-year renewal option extending potential funding through June 30, 2028. Six Connector Entities will be selected for Capital North (Montgomery), Capital South (Prince George's), Central (Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel, Howard), West (Washington, Allegany, Garrett, Frederick, Carroll), Lower Eastern Shore, and Upper Eastern Shore/Southern regions. An optional pre-proposal conference is scheduled for January 13, 2026. Questions are due January 20, 2026. Award notifications are anticipated around February 1, 2026, pending a 60-day federal CMS review period. Monthly reimbursement occurs upon submission of invoices detailing actual expenditures, with quarterly financial and performance reports required within 30 days of quarter-end dates.