“There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune …” A line from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar describes the singular moment of opportunity during which decisions are made that change history.  The healthcare industry nationally is at the start of the flood tide. Maryland, among all states, has a unique opportunity to ride the rising tide that promises to bring broad-based healthcare good fortune to patients and clinicians alike. 

The Maryland Primary Care Program (MDPCP) provides the foundation for Marylanders to have their health managed by a dedicated, interdisciplinary care team lead by a primary care clinician. Voluntary for all eligible Maryland primary care practices, the MDPCP provides substantial funding to support practice transformation to advanced primary care. In accordance with the Maryland Model, the MDPCP also alters the payment system from a pure fee-for-service, volume-based system to value-based payments, allowing the practices to be rewarded by focusing their attention on those with the greatest need, rather than being forced to see more patients over shorter visits. 

Patients will benefit, too. The MDPCP is designed to foster holistic care, addressing the physical, behavioral, and social needs of Marylanders. Patients can expect a better patient experience, tailored care, and lower costs. The MDPCP will provide financial incentives to primary care clinicians to support significant improvements in the way healthcare is delivered to patients, requiring extended hours, 24/7 availability, prompt follow-ups to Emergency Department and hospital visits, and meticulous and consistent attention to the needs of patients. This is exactly what our primary care clinicians already want to do. With the introduction of the MDPCP, the long wait for a better way to meet the needs of Marylanders is finally here.  

As the tide rises, the Maryland healthcare community has the opportunity to significantly improve the lives of every Maryland resident, enhancing the vitality of Maryland as a whole. The MDPCP is a tremendous benefit to both patients and clinicians in Maryland and will ensure the highest level of care for patients who have the greatest need.

Howard Haft, MD, MMM, FACPE

Director, Program Management Office

New Resources Available

Do you have questions about the MDPCP beyond what has been published in the Request for Applications (RFA)? If so, new reference materials that can help provide additional guidance are now available on the MDPCP website. Look for: 

• Practice Checklist—a list of items practices can be working on now to prepare for the electronic application
• Model Overlap— a guidance document to help practices compare payments and Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) implications, including concurrent participation in the MDPCP and certain Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organization models (MSSP ACO) 
• 2018 Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) Implementation Guide—program and reporting requirements for the MDPCP are expected to closely mirror those of the national CPC+ program. Until specific details for the MDPCP are made available, the 2018 CPC+ Implementation Guide can provide insight into what can be expected from the upcoming “Getting Started with the MDPCP” guide

Introducing Mini-Webinar Series: Getting Ready for the Maryland Primary Care Program

The Program Management Office (PMO) is launching a series of educational webinars to help practices and Care Transformation Organizations (CTOs) learn more about the MDPCP and prepare to submit their applications. Videos will be less than 10 minutes in length to provide a concise, easy-to-understand overview of important topics that applicants frequently have questions about. Upcoming webinar topics include: 

• Timeline—View now
• CTO Application—View now
• CTO Payments—Coming soon
• Practice Application—Coming soon
• Practice Payments—Coming soon

New videos for practices and CTOs will be posted weekly on the MDPCP website.

Program Timeline

The RFA for the MDPCP was posted on the CMS website on June 8. Now that specific information on the application process and program requirements is publicly available, the upcoming program milestones are as follows:  

• The electronic application for CTOs is available from now until Monday, July 23
• CTOs will be selected during the first application period and posted to the CMS website
• Practices will then submit electronic applications and have the option to select an approved CTO. Practice applications will be open from Wednesday, Aug. 1 until Friday, Aug. 31
• CMS agreements for program participation will be signed by both CTOs and practices later this fall
• Selected practices and CTOs will begin in the program Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019

Please see our timeline for a more detailed overview of the application and selection process.

MDPCP Educational Events

The PMO hosts many events to educate stakeholders about the upcoming MDPCP. Events include webinars, in-person meetings, and presentations. Events being held in the upcoming weeks include:

• Regional Provider Meeting, Eastern Maryland: Wednesday, June 27, 6 to 7 p.m.
• Regional Provider Meeting, Western Maryland: Monday, July 9, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMM) Introduction to MDPCP for Practices Webinar: Wednesday, July 11 

Full Calendar