Understanding Maryland’s New Hospital Rate Setting Model and What It Means for the Future

MACo’s 2025 Winter Conference Solutions Showcase features thought leaders and industry experts presenting resources and best practices to assist local governments. Check out this session hosted by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield!

Medical professional taking the blood pressure of a patientAbout CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield: In its 88th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit healthcare companies which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.5 million individuals and employers in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2024, CareFirst infused over $403 million to support regional community impact to improve overall health and advance accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare throughout its market areas.

SOLUTIONS SHOWCASE SESSION

Title: Understanding Maryland’s New Hospital Rate Setting Model and What It Means for the Future

Description: For nearly 50 years, Maryland has operated under a hospital rate setting model that has successfully controlled healthcare costs and improved health outcomes statewide. The current model—known as the Total Cost of Care (TCOC) model—will sunset on December 31, 2025, due to federal policy changes. It will be replaced by the Achieving Healthcare Efficiency through Accountable Design (AHEAD) model, which seeks to build on the same foundation as the TCOC model, but introduces significant changes that may bring disruptions to how care is delivered and financed across the state. Please join this session to learn more about what to expect.

Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Time: 1:30 PM-2:00 PM

 

Be sure to register for MACo’s Winter Conference to attend this session and many more!

 

MACo’s Winter Conference, “Local Leadership, Lasting Impact: Shaping What’s Next,” will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, MD, on December 10-12, 2025.

 

Learn more about MACo’s Winter Conference: