History
The Interagency Rates Committee (IRC) is currently involved in revising Maryland's rate-setting process. As indicated in the IRC response to the Joint Chairmen's Report on the FY 2014 State Operating Budget and the State Capital Budget and related Recommendations, it was recommended that Maryland rethink its current rate system in order to better align service needs with an appropriate rate structure (see report).
The IRC determined that a multi-phase process was necessary to complete this work. The goal of the IRC to engage in an ambitious, collaborative process that will enable Maryland to reform the current rate setting system in order to continue to move forward was initiated. Rate reform efforts began through a series of workgroups to facilitate the planning and development of recommendations for the reform process. The goal was to share information, analyze data, engage in collaborative discussion, and develop recommendations for a revised rate setting system.
Workgroups charged with the various elements of the work were developed. Membership of these workgroups included private providers, stakeholders, State Agencies, and national experts to focus on each of the core elements of the rate setting system. Documents relating to these workgroups and stakeholder meetings have been archived. For assistance related to this information, please contact the Interagency Collaboration Branch at the Maryland State Department of Education.
Ongoing Efforts
Opportunities for provider and stakeholder input, trainings, etc., will be identified and/or provided, as appropriate. As meetings are scheduled, details will be emailed to providers and posted on the IRC website home page. Meeting documents will be posted here.
Levels of Care
Providers were invited to participate on sub-groups and contribute to the development of Levels of Care, which focus primarily on youth needs and related supports and interventions. The Levels of Care Workgroup continues to meet and collaborate with the provider sub-groups, as appropriate. The provider sub-groups continue to meet, as necessary.
Additional Information
For general questions about rate setting reform efforts, please contact the Interagency Collaboration Branch at the Maryland State Department of Education.
Contact:
Interagency Collaboration - IRC
Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services
Maryland State Department of Education
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
irc.rates@maryland.gov
Carmen A. Brown, LCSW-C
Branch Chief, Interagency Collaboration, Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services
Office: (410) 767-7197
Fax: (410) 333-1571
carmen.brown1@maryland.gov