It’s working.

That’s the assessment of the first two years of our Total Cost of Care Model released Friday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

The findings-at-a-glance and full evaluation show Maryland reduced total Medicare spending in 2019 (relative to national trends) by $365 million—$88 million more than the spending reduction achieved in 2018.

CMS’ evaluation contractor, Mathematica Policy Research, concluded that global budgets remain the largest financial incentive in the Model. They also noted how hospitals are partnering with other health care providers to better manage patients’ care across the continuum. Primary care practices in 2019 made gains in five targeted domains—most notably more than a 70% rate of follow-up after discharge.

Mathematica identified Maryland’s absolute Medicare spend per beneficiary—above the national average—as an opportunity for continued improvement.

CMS’ evaluation continues, with field work under way right now. Future reports “will assess whether care transformation continues, expands in reach, and succeeds in reducing Medicare total cost of care while improving quality of care and population health for all Marylanders.”

Stay tuned for more details as we study the report in depth. We’ll look to use these findings to make our case to extend the Model, while you continue efforts to contain spending and strengthen whole person care.

Bob Atlas
President & CEO