Evaluation of the Maryland Medicaid HealthChoice Program: CY 2017 to CY 2021
06/30/2023
In 1997, Maryland implemented HealthChoice—a statewide mandatory Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) managed care program—under authority of a waiver through §1115 of the Social Security Act. The provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that went into effect in 2014 marked another milestone by extending quality coverage to many more Marylanders with low income. Over 20 years after its launch, HealthChoice covers close to 90% of the state’s Medicaid and Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP) populations. Since the inception of HealthChoice, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has requested and received seven §1115 waiver renewals.
The Hilltop Institute, on behalf of MDH, evaluates the program annually; this evaluation covers the period from CY 2017 through CY 2021.