CMS Selects Maxim Healthcare Services as Care Transformation Organization for the Maryland Primary Care Program

COLUMBIA, Md., Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has selected Maxim Healthcare Services as a Care Transformation Organization (CTO) for the Maryland Primary Care Program (MDPCP) beginning in January 2019.

Under the program, Maxim and other CTOs will provide care coordination resources and infrastructure to participating primary care practices with the goal of improving health outcomes for Medicare patients while reducing costs. Maxim will draw upon its experience using community health workers (CHWs) and other community-based care management (CBCM) resources to help patients address non-medical factors that often contribute to poor health outcomes – such as insufficient housing or lack of transportation – and connect patients with existing community resources. Maxim implemented a similar CBCM program in partnership with the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center (UMSJMC) beginning in 2015, which reduced hospital readmissions by 66 percent in the first two years. 

"Through this program, Maryland is recognizing the central role that primary care plays in the prevention and management of chronic disease and the reduction of unnecessary hospitalizations," said Andy Friedell, senior vice president of Maxim's Strategic Solutions. "Maxim's successful model is built around the belief that primary care should be the backbone of any effective community-based care program. In our new role as a CTO, we look forward to expanding our support of primary care practices in Maryland by providing services that extend their reach beyond the practice walls. Our care delivery teams of CHWs will fully integrate with primary care physicians to help patients navigate barriers to care and take advantage of existing community resources and services."

The MDPCP program is part of Maryland's Total Cost of Care All-Payer Model, which aims to better coordinate care for Medicare patients across both hospital and non-hospital settings, improve health outcomes, and control healthcare spending. Transforming primary care is a key component of the model. Any qualifying provider treating Medicaid patients can apply to participate in MDPCP.

"Our face-to-face approach – combined with our ability to put actionable information in the hands of caregivers before entering a patient's home through a technology partnership with Leidos Health – enables us to identify hidden challenges that are not easily discovered in other clinical settings," said Friedell. "By communicating this information to the primary care providers that partner with us, we can prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and ER visits while ensuring better care for patients."

Primary care practices interested in partnering with a CTO must make their selections by August 31. CTOs included in the preliminary selection list must undergo final review by CMS. The program is scheduled to begin January 1, 2019.

For more information about Maxim's CBCM programs, please visit https://www.maximhealthcare.com/our-services/population-health-and-wellness/community-based-care-management.

About Maxim Healthcare Services
Maxim Healthcare Services is a national provider of a comprehensive suite of services. We have been making a difference in the lives of our employees, caregivers and patients for 30 years. We offer services including home healthcare, behavioral care, healthcare staffing, personal caregiving, and population health and wellness. Our commitment to customer service, compassionate patient care, and staffing experienced healthcare professionals has made us an established resource in the healthcare industry. Learn more about Maxim Healthcare Services, or get more information about available Maxim Healthcare positions.

SOURCE Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc.

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