October 20, 2026 | View as Webpage

MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society, held its 2026 Annual Meeting and Fall House of Delegates session on Saturday, October 10, bringing together physicians and healthcare leaders to recognize outstanding contributions to medicine, discuss the future of Maryland's healthcare, and install the organization’s 179th president.

The meeting featured the presentation of MedChi’s most prestigious awards, honoring individuals whose leadership, service, and advocacy have advanced MedChi’s mission as Maryland’s foremost advocate and resource for physicians, patients, and public health.

2026 MedChi Award Recipients

• Loralie D. Ma, M.D. – Henry P. and M. Page Laughlin Distinguished Board of Trustees Member Award
• Benjamin Z. Stallings, M.D. – Henry P. and M. Page Laughlin Distinguished Committee Chair Award
• David A. Hexter, M.D. – Henry P. and M. Page Laughlin Distinguished Member Award
• James N. Elliott, M.D. – Henry P. and M. Page Laughlin Distinguished Public Officer Award
• Senator Stephen S. Hershey, Jr. - Legislative Award
• Delegate Pam Lanman Guzzone – Legislative Award

The meeting also marked the installation of James Williams, MS, DO, FACEP, as MedChi’s 179th President for 2026–2027. As president, Dr. Williams will lead the organization’s efforts to advocate for Maryland physicians, support the medical profession, and advance policies that strengthen healthcare for patients throughout the state.

Attendees also participated in two panel discussions, that addressed important developments shaping Maryland’s healthcare system. The morning began with “The Shift to Value-Based Care: Why EQIP Matters,” a discussion about how Maryland’s Episode Quality Improvement Program (EQIP) can support practices as healthcare continues to move toward value-based care.

The second panel, “The Future of Maryland’s AHEAD Model,” discussed the future of healthcare transformation in Maryland and the implications of the Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model. Panelists included William Henderson, Principal Deputy Director of Medical Economics & Data Analytics at the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC); Abid Khan, DrPH, MPP, MHS, Division Director of the State and Population Health Group at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation; and Farzaneh L. Sabi, M.D., Associate Medical Director at Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group.

Thank you to everyone who attended and to everyone who continues to support and advocate for healthcare in Maryland.

Gene M. Ransom III

CEO

MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society

• Wednesday, October 21- Montgomery County Medical Society Fall Meeting
• Wednesday, November 11- Veterans Day (MedChi CLOSED)
• Thursday, November 26- Thanksgiving (MedChi CLOSED)
• Friday, November 27- American Heritage Day (MedChi CLOSED)
• Friday, December 25- Christmas (MedChi CLOSED)
• Friday, January 1- New Years Day (MedChi CLOSED)
• Tuesday, January 25, 2027- MedChi Legislative Kickoff

HSCRC is Seeking Applications from Interested Hospitals for the Healthcare Outcome Payment Effort (HOPE) Care Transformation Framework (CTF) Pathway

The Care Transformation Framework is designed to advance the HSCRC’s central objective: balancing three critical priorities—promoting continued investment in care transformation, ensuring payment predictability for hospitals, and maintaining affordable, long-term cost growth. Under the CTF, participation begins at the individual hospital level.

Hospitals may apply individually or as a group to implement hospital-defined interventions targeting specific populations and aim to reduce emergency department and inpatient costs statewide in Maryland. Approved hospitals share in generated savings, with outcome payments calculated over a measurement window and paid for three years. The CTF provides fixed statewide funding of $50 million per year for FY27, FY28, and FY29. Approved initiatives collectively may not materially exceed projected annual savings of $100 million.

The Request for Applications (RFA) includes important details about the CTF pathway and instructions for applying. HSCRC is currently planning for the following timeline. This timeline is provided as a reference for applicants. All dates are tentative and are subject to change:

• October 23, 2026 - Letter of Intent Due
• November 20, 2026 - CTF Applications Due
• November/December 2026 - Committee Review
• January 2027 - Awardees Formally Notified and One-Time Seed Funding into GBRs, as approved
• July 1, 2027 - Performance Measurement Begins

CTF Application

Applications should be submitted through the Smartsheet form by EOD November 20, 2026. In addition, applicants are required to submit a letter of intent to the HOPE mailbox by EOD October 23, 2026.

HSCRC staff acknowledges these CTFs require a significant amount of time and commitment. Staff are available to answer questions about the application process and requirements, but are unable to speak on behalf of the review committee, which will ultimately be responsible for evaluating applications and making funding decisions. Staff will also discuss questions during the additional HOPE workgroup meetings scheduled between the monthly Total Cost of Care workgroups.

Please register here in advance for this series.

Clean Claims Public Meeting October 27, 2026

The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) is holding another meeting concerning the submission and processing of clean claims in Maryland on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Additional details are available here.

Rising Health Costs Don’t Have to Mean Cutting Benefits

Employer health benefit costs are projected to increase by more than 8% in 2027, putting added pressure on medical practices to manage expenses without compromising employee benefits. From adjusting employer contributions to exploring alternative plan options and funding arrangements, there are ways to manage rising costs while maintaining meaningful coverage for your team. Unity Insurance outlines strategies to help practices navigate rising premiums and make informed decisions about their health benefits. Read more here.

EQIP Team Requesting Nominations for New Clinical Episodes

MedChi's EQIP team is requesting nominations for new clinical episodes for Maryland's Episode Quality Improvement Program (EQIP) in Performance Year 7 (Calendar Year 2028). A clinical episode is a condition, procedure, or treatment included in EQIP. Participants may apply to enroll in one or more clinical episodes and have the opportunity to earn shared savings based on their performance.

For current episode definitions, please review the 2027 Episode Playbook here.

How to Submit a Nomination

1. Open PACES Available Episodes Excel workbook here
2. Review Tab 1 for episodes available for nomination and Tab 2 for episodes already included in EQIP for 2027.
3. Email your suggested episode(s) to MedChiEQIP@medchi.org.

Please consider whether there is a condition, procedure, or treatment that your practice manages frequently, and that could be a good fit for EQIP. All nominations are due by October 28, 2026.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated as it will help identify opportunities to expand EQIP and make the program more meaningful for participants. If you have any questions, please direct them to the MedChi EQIP Team at MedChiEQIP@medchi.org.

Maryland FAMLI Deadlines Are Approaching

Maryland employers should prepare for upcoming Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) requirements. Employers must register through the state’s FAMLI portal, and those considering a private plan for 2027 must submit a Declaration of Intent by November 15, 2026.

Unity Insurance can help employers understand their options and prepare for upcoming deadlines. Call 410-539-6642 for assistance. Click here for more details.

Help Future Physicians Prepare for Residency Interviews

Howard University College of Medicine is seeking physician volunteers to help fourth-year medical students build confidence and prepare for residency interviews. Each session includes a 30-minute mock interview followed by 15 minutes of constructive feedback using a provided rubric. Members can volunteer for as many sessions as their schedules allow.

Make a difference in the next generation of physicians. Complete the volunteer sign-up form here. Use this When2Meet link to share your availability.

Uniform Continuity of Care Request Form

The Maryland Insurance Administration is notifying carriers of the adoption of the uniform continuity of care request form described in § 15-112(y)(4) of the Insurance Article. 

House Bill 684, Chapter 651, Acts of 2026 requires the Maryland Insurance Commissioner (“Commissioner") to develop a uniform form that carriers, providers, and health systems must use for certain requests from patients to continue to receive health care services from a health care provider whose network participation with a carrier has been terminated. 

To read the full bulletin, click here.

If you have news to share about yourself, a colleague, or your practice, and would like us to feature it in MedChi News,

please contact Olivia Ballmann. All submissions are subject to review and approval.

Submission does not guarantee inclusion, publication, or use.

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