Baltimore (December 20, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE) and the Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) today announced the launch of Maryland’s Access to Care program. The Access to Care program is designed to foster collaboration between the state, health insurers and safety net providers as each plans for newly insured Marylanders who will start to access healthcare services in 2014. This program is built on the requirement that network plans offered through Maryland Health Connection, the state-based health insurance marketplace, provide meaningful access to critical health services including primary, reproductive, HIV/AIDS and behavioral health care.

As many as 730,000 Marylanders will become eligible for health insurance through Maryland Health Connection, and in preparation for the increase in newly insured, the state today released the Maryland Health Access Assessment Tool to collect data from safety net providers throughout Maryland. Maryland’s safety net providers – including Federally Qualified Health Centers, Local Health Departments, and Free Clinics -- are being asked to complete a short survey to help the state plan to meet the demand for healthcare services that is expected in 2014.

"By tapping into the vast knowledge of safety net providers across the state, provider availability and consumer needs can be projected. We encourage all to be part of the effort to prepare for 2014,” said DHMH Secretary Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein.

The survey results will be used to continue overall planning efforts, further understand provider readiness and capacity for health reform implementation, and facilitate future conversations among safety net providers and insurers around contracting opportunities. Data captured in the survey will also provide CHRC with information to develop future technical assistance and potential grant opportunities for safety net providers.
"Safety net providers will play a critical role in Maryland's implementation of the Affordable Care Act," commented John A. Hurson, CHRC Chairman. "The Commission is looking forward to supporting efforts that will build capacity and promoting the work of safety net providers."

In 2013, the state will also host a series of Access to Care program regional forums to connect safety net providers and health insurers, many of whom may have never worked with each other in the past.

“The Access to Care program has been developed through a collaborative stakeholder process to maximize consumers’ access to insurance coverage and a full range of critical health services as well,” said Rebecca Pearce, Executive Director, the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange.

Safety net providers can access the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RMYQVYY. Responses will be accepted until Friday, January 4, 2013.
Questions on completing the survey can be sent to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..