Priority Partners

Priority Partners, one of seven Managed Care Organizations authorized by the State of Maryland to provide health care services for Medicaid and Maryland Children's Health Insurance Program recipients, is owned by Johns Hopkins and five federally qualified health centers throughout the State. Priority Partners has established a statewide network of doctors, health centers, and hospitals offering doctors visits, vision care, prescription coverage, immunizations, hospital coverage, dental care, and no-cost over-the-counter medications, as well as substance abuse services. To manage complicated healthcare issues, Priority Partners has several Care Management initiatives which provide one-on-one nurse case managers to assist individuals in understanding their illness, adapting to their treatment plan, and coordinating medical appointments. The Maryland Childrens Health Program (MCHP) was established in 1998 using federal and state funds to provide no cost health care coverage to children up to age 19. The program also offers pregnant woman of any age full pre-natal, delivery, and post-partum health care. Eligibility for MCHP, determined by family size and income, is based on a sliding scale. For example, a family of four with income at or below $46,800 would qualify to have its children enrolled in MCHP at no cost. In determining eligibility for pregnant women, the program counts the unborn child as a member of the family and increases the income eligibility levels significantly (i.e. a family of four including a pregnant women would qualify with a household income as high as $58,500). In cases where family income is somewhat higher, many families are eligible for MCHP Premium, a low-cost health insurance program. A family of four with income at or below $58,500 could participate for a monthly fee of $44. If the family included a pregnant woman, the eligibility income level would rise to $70,200 for the household.