MARYLAND AT A GLANCE

State hotline (9 a.m.-1 p.m., weekdays): (410) 767-5013
Prevention hotline (Center for Disease Control): (410) 402-8025

Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe St. (view from Broadway), Baltimore, Maryland, April 2008. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

• Health & Support Services (Maryland Access Point)
• Health Benefit Exchange, Maryland
• Health-Care Institutions
• Health-Care Institutions (DHMH)
• HealthChoice 1-800-492-5231 (toll free)
• Health Improvement Process, State
• Health insurance marketplace (Maryland Health Connection)
• Health Insurance Plan, Maryland
• Health Insurance questions (Health Education & Advocacy Unit)

Pavilion, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 4940 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, Maryland, October 2007. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

• Psychologists, State Board of Examiners of
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (healthcare.gov)

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene works to protect the physical, mental and social health of Marylanders by promoting health, and preventing disease and disability. Further, the Department works to ensure that every Marylander has access to quality health care; regulates the State's health care delivery system; and protects residents from communicable diseases, tainted food, dangerous products, and environmental health threats.

Center for Autism, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 3901 Greenspring Ave., Baltimore, Maryland, May 2010. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Concerns about health matters are also addressed by the General Assembly through the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, and the House Health and Government Operations Committee.

To allow instantaneous sharing of patient records between hospitals and the patient’s primary care physician, the federal government awarded grants to all states and territories in an effort to create a medical information-sharing digital network. In February 2012, Maryland became the first state to connect all acute-care hospitals within its borders under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009.

Wilmer Dome, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, Maryland, September 2006. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

MARYLAND HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE

Beginning April 1, 2014, small business owners may use Maryland Health Connection to enroll their employees in qualified health plans through the Small Business Options Program (SHOP). Employers with from one to fifty employees may use this marketplace to purchase insurance plans, and determine their eligibility for small business tax credits.

The Exchange operates a toll-free hotline (1-855-642-8572), and maintains a website (www.marylandhealthconnection.gov) with comprehensive information on qualified health plans. It also provides an electronic calculator to compute the actual cost of coverage, factoring in all variables, such as tax credits and cost-sharing. To assist consumers seeking to enroll in Medicaid or other health insurance plans, the Exchange maintains a network of certified navigators who help enrollees find and purchase a suitable plan.

In Bethesda is the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Robert H. & Clarice Smith Building, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, North Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland, September 2010. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

• Health-Care Institutions (DHMH)

The Medical Assistance Program, known as Medicaid, is a joint federal and state program that provides health and long-term care coverage to low-income people. In Maryland, Medicaid is overseen by the Medical Assistance Program of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and on the federal level by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Eligibility for Medicaid is determined by local departments of social services. To apply for Medicaid, Maryland residents visit their county or city department of social services. There, they are interviewed and submit an application. Generally, those who are either older than age 65, under age 21, disabled, blind, or caring for a child whose parent is unemployed, sick, or deceased are eligible for benefits.

Since March 2000, approximately 70% of qualifying Medicaid recipients are required to join one of eight State-regulated managed care organizations. Exceptions are made for those who receive long-term care, certain mentally fragile children, or for the mentally handicapped, among others.

In FY2009, 758,118 people were enrolled in Medicaid at a cost of $6.5 billion. Of this total, 80,351 people received partial benefits. In FY2008, 132,864 children participated in CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program), at a cost of $240 million.

HEALTHCHOICE

• HealthChoice help lines

Created in 1997, HealthChoice is the program that places Medicaid recipients into Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). These organizations provide group insurance that covers medical services at select hospitals and clinics participating in HealthChoice and are responsible for meeting nearly all of the recipients' medical needs, except for mental health services and other specific care. Mental health services are provided by the Specialty Mental Health System, which is administered by the Mental Hygiene Administration.

A variety of major programs are offered through HealthChoice. Local health departments identify and enroll Medicaid recipients with special needs or disabilities (such as diabetes, homelessness, alcoholism, or drug addiction) into appropriate programs. One-on-one assistance is available for those who require it.

Additional State-sponsored services include infant and reproductive care through the Center for Maternal and Child Health, nutritional assistance offered by Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Food Program, and medical care for children through the Maryland Children's Health Program.

To investigate and mediate disputes, health departments act through the Ombudsmen Program to handle enrollees' complaints. Concerns also may be addressed through the HealthChoice Enrollee Action Line at 1-800-284-4510 (toll free).

The Rare and Expensive Case Management Program and the Stop Loss Case Management Program focus on patient needs and expenses that are not covered by Managed Care Organizations.

MARYLAND MEDICAID PHARMACY PROGRAM

MEDICARE

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