Massage Therapy Examiners, State Board of (DH): (410) 764-4738
Center for Autism, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 3901 Greenspring Ave., Baltimore, Maryland, May 2010. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
![[photo, Wilmer Dome, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/bcity/images/1198-1-1535.jpg)
Wilmer Dome, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, Maryland, September 2006. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
The Maryland Department of Health works to protect the physical, mental and social health of Marylanders by promoting health, and preventing disease and disability. Further, the Department seeks 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.
![[photo, Calvert County Health Department, 975 Solomon's Island Road North, Prince Frederick, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/cal/images/1198-1-3182.jpg)
Local health departments in Maryland counties and Baltimore City are overseen by Public Health Services within the Maryland Department of Health. Each local department administers and enforces State, county and municipal health laws, regulations, and programs. Tailored to community needs, public health programs provide preventive care, immunizations, health education, drug and alcohol abuse counseling, and rabies and communicable disease prevention.
Calvert County Health Department, 975 Solomon's Island Road North, Prince Frederick, Maryland, July 2008. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Concerns about health matters also are 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.
To provide Marylanders with high quality, affordable private health plans at competitive prices, the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange administers the State-based health insurance marketplace called Maryland Health Connection. Opened to enroll individuals on October 1, 2013, Maryland Health Connection helps individuals purchase qualified health plans in the individual insurance market.
Open Enrollment. During the regular open enrollment period, consumers evaluate their health insurance options, including an estimate of financial assistance, on the Exchange website (www.marylandhealthconnection.gov). The current regular open enrollment period began on November 1, 2020 and ended on December 15, 2020 for individual coverage to start January 1, 2021.
Coronavirus Emergency Special Open Enrollment. Due to the pandemic coronavirus, the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange opened a new special enrollment period for all Marylanders in need of health insurance during this state of emergency.
On March 26, 2021, this new special enrollment period started in which all uninsured Maryland residents have the opportunity to enroll in health coverage due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent rise in the positivity rate throughout the State. The enrollment period begins immediately and runs until August 15, 2021. Coverage dates will vary based on when a Marylander enrolls in a plan:
- Enroll now–April 15, coverage starts April 1
- Enroll April 16–May 15, coverage starts May 1
- Enroll May 16-June 15, coverage starts June 1
- Enroll June 16-July 15, coverage starts July 1
- Enroll July 16-Aug. 15, coverage starts Aug. 1
To enroll, go to MarylandHealthConnection.gov or download the free “Enroll MHC” mobile app. Request or select “Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment Period.” Free consumer assistance is available by calling 1-855-642-8572 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.
Since April 1, 2014, small business owners also have been able to enroll their employees in health insurance plans certified under the Small Business Options Program (SHOP). Employers with from one to fifty employees may purchase insurance plans directly from a carrier, a third-party administrator, or a broker, and, for those who are eligible, receive federal small business tax credits.
The Exchange provides comprehensive information on qualified health plans, and 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.
![[photo, Robert H. & Clarice Smith Building, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, North Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/01glance/health/images/1198-1-4611.jpg)
HEALTH-CARE INSTITUTIONS
In Baltimore are several renowned health-care institutions, including The Johns Hopkins Hospital, which ranked as the nation's top hospital from 1990 to 2011, and again in 2013 (U.S. News & World Report). Other institutions of renown are The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; the University of Maryland Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy; and the private University of Maryland Medical System. As the primary teaching hospital for the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the University of Maryland Medical System holds the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, a regional facility for trauma management.
Robert H. & Clarice Smith Building, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, North Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland, September 2010. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
In Bethesda is the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Within the Maryland Deparment of Health are health-care institutions for those with developmental disabilities, the chronically ill and elderly, and the mentally ill.
MEDICAID
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 Maryland Deparment of Health, 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 85% of qualifying Medicaid recipients are required to join one of eight State-regulated Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). Exceptions are made for those who receive long-term care, certain mentally fragile children, or for the mentally handicapped, among others.
As of July 2020, 1,245,001 people were enrolled in Medicaid and 142,772 children were in the Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) for a total of 1,387,773. About one in four of Maryland's residents were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.
MARYLAND MEDICAID PHARMACY PROGRAM
Initiated in 1978 as the Pharmacy Assistance Program, the Maryland Medicaid Pharmacy Program helps to pay for prescriptions, insulin, and certain medical supplies for low-income individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid. The Program is assisted by the Medicaid Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
HEALTHCHOICE
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 Behavioral Health 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 Maternal and Child Health Bureau, nutritional assistance offered by the Office of Maryland Women, Infants and Children 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.
![[photo, Johns Hopkins Hospital main entrance, Orleans St., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/01glance/health/images/1198-1-09501c.jpg)
MEDICARE
Authorized in 1966, Medicare is the federal government's health insurance program for Americans age 65-years old or older, and for those with certain disabilties, or with permanent kidney failure (end-stage renal disease), requiring dialysis or kidney transplant. Application for Medicare is made through the federal Social Security Administration.
Johns Hopkins Hospital main entrance, Orleans St., Baltimore, Maryland, March 2019. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
© Copyright March 29, 2021 Maryland State Archives
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