Current and Historical Programs

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The Maryland Primary Care Program (MDPCP) is a statewide initiative led by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Maryland Department of Health. It is part of Maryland’s Total Cost of Care (TCOC) Model, which aims to improve health outcomes, strengthen primary care, and reduce overall healthcare costs.

The AHEAD Model (All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development) is a state-led initiative launched by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve healthcare delivery, enhance population health, and reduce costs across multiple payers, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers. Maryland was the first state to join, building on its Total Cost of Care Model and all-payer hospital payment system. A key component, Primary Care AHEAD, increases investment in primary care, strengthens care coordination, and connects patients to community resources, with a focus on underserved populations. The model also introduces Hospital Global Budgets, giving hospitals fixed annual budgets to encourage reductions in unnecessary utilization and improvements in care quality. Together, these strategies create a more coordinated, efficient, and equitable healthcare system while supporting practices in delivering whole-person, team-based care. 

Making Care Primary (MCP) is an innovative program designed to strengthen primary care by placing the patient at the center of care delivery. The initiative focuses on team-based, coordinated care, ensuring patients have access to the right services at the right time while supporting providers with data-driven tools and care management resources. By emphasizing preventive care, chronic disease management, and population health strategies, MCP helps practices improve outcomes, close care gaps, and optimize value-based reimbursement. The program also fosters collaboration across care teams and community resources, creating a seamless, patient-centered experience that benefits both patients and healthcare organizations