Maryland Department of Health

Office of Health Care Quality

The Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) is the agency within the Maryland Department of Health charged with monitoring the quality of care in Maryland's health care facilities and community-based programs.  As of July 1, 2021, OHCQ oversees 19,032 providers in 45 industries​.

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Functions

• Licensure:  On behalf of the Maryland Secretary of Health, OHCQ issues State licenses which authorize a facility or program to do business in Maryland.​
• Certification:  On behalf of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), OHCQ conducts certification, recertification, and CLIA activities.  OHCQ makes recommendations to CMS regarding certification of a provider or supplier.  Once certified, a provider or supplier may participate in and seek reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid.
• Surveying:  OHCQ conducts various types of surveys under federal and/or State authority to determine compliance with federal and State regulations.  These regulations set forth the minimum standards for the delivery of care in these industries.
• ​Technical Assistance:  OHCQ provides technical assistance to applicants, licensees, consumers, and other stakeholders.

​Miss​ion

OHCQ's mission is to protect the health and safety of Marylanders and to ensure there is public confidence in the health care and community delivery systems.

Visi​on​​

OHCQ's vision is that all those receiving care in Maryland can trust that their health care facility or program is licensed and has met the regulatory standards for the services that they offer.