BALTIMORE, MD (October 15, 2009) – The Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) today released the 2009 Health Plan Performance Report on health plan quality that compares the performance of commercial managed care plans operating in Maryland.  

The report contains a wealth of information to assist employers, employees and individuals in their choice of health plans. Users will find performance ratings for each health plan on a range of clinical health care and member satisfaction measures. The report is also a valuable tool for health plans as it provides comparative information, highlights the areas where plans excel, and areas that require improvement. “Maryland is fortunate in that employers large and small continue to show a strong commitment to providing health care to their employees even with the current challenges of the economy and premiums that are rising faster than wages. This report can help employers make wise choices among health plans, especially at a time when getting maximum value is more important than ever.” says Dr. Rex Cowdry, Executive Director of the MHCC.  

In the aggregate, HMO performance ranked slightly lower than the regional and national averages for member satisfaction; slightly below the regional average and slightly above the national average for preventive care; slightly above the regional average and equal to the national average for chronic care; and slightly above the regional and national averages for behavioral health. 

Three of the largest PPO carriers--Aetna, CareFirst, and CIGNA-- again voluntarily participated in PPO performance measurement and reporting pilot. “Measuring and reporting on quality, including the quality of care in PPO-type plans, means more people have access to information to help them in their health care decision-making," says Dr. Colette Edwards, Senior Market Medical Executive for CIGNA's Mid-Atlantic region. "The information also serves as a guidepost for our ongoing initiatives to raise the bar on quality; efforts that make a real difference in improving the health and well-being of the people we serve."  

Because reporting is voluntary with only three plans participating, PPOs are subjected to a more limited measurement set.  In the aggregate, PPO performance ranked slightly below regional and national averages in member satisfaction, equal to the regional average and slightly above the national average in preventive care, below the regional and national averages in chronic care, and slightly below the regional average and slightly above the national average for behavioral health.  Individual health plan ratings HMOs and PPOs are detailed in the report.  

For more information about the Maryland Health Care Commission or to download a copy of the 2009 Health Plan Performance Report visit our website at http://mhcc.maryland.gov.  For a print copy of the Guide or assistance for those without website access, call the MHCC at 410-764-3460 or toll free at 1-877-245-1762. For more information, contact Bruce Kozlowski, Director of the Center for Health Care Financing and Health Policy at 410-764-3482. 

To interview Rex Cowdry or Bruce Kozlowski regarding this report, please contact 410-764-3460.