2022-2026 Renewal Period Effective January 1, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved and renewed Maryland's §1115 demonstration waiver, known as HealthChoice, for a period of five years. The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) accepted public comments from May 4, 2021, through June 4, 2021.
HealthChoice, first implemented in 1997 under the authority of Section 1115 of the Social Security Act, is Maryland's statewide mandatory managed care program for Medicaid enrollees. Under HealthChoice, eligible families and individuals are required to enroll in a managed care organization that has been approved by the Maryland Department of Health. Each managed care organization is responsible for ensuring that HealthChoice enrollees have access to a network of medical providers that can meet the health needs of each enrollee. For more information, see the current §1115 Waiver Special Terms and Conditions.