Consumer Standing Advisory Committee (C-SAC)

The core three-part aim of the state’s healthcare system transformation work is better care, better health and lower cost.  In Maryland, this includes: ongoing work of the Health Services Cost Review Commission (“HSCRC” or “Commission”) to modernize Maryland’s unique all-payer rate-setting system for hospital services—also known as the Total Cost of Care Model (TCOC Model); and, the work of the Maryland Department of Health (MDH).  To date, HSCRC and MDH have worked with one another along with broad groups of public stakeholders to plan and implement each of their transformation initiatives.

HSCRC is, therefore, re-establishing the Consumer Standing Advisory Committee (CSAC) that builds on the consumer engagement to date, including the CSAC that meet during the prior All-Payer Model.  Members of the CSAC are appointed based upon their expertise, their potential contribution to the scope of work defined for the Committee, and the need for input from important stakeholder perspectives.

2020 CSAC Goals

·       Ensure the consumer perspective is reflected in, and remains central to the TCOC Model, include:

o   Promoting a broad understanding about the TCOC Model and its impact on improving health and health care for consumers/patients; and

o   Gather input from patients and consumers and represent their voices to ensure that the perspectives of patients / consumers are used to inform the design and management of state policies related to the TCOC Model.

·       Throughout 2020, the CSAC will narrow their focus to consider the benefit that Maryland hospitals operating under the TCOC Model create within their communities. This will include:

o   The amount of community benefit dollars that hospitals are spending in their communities;

o   Ensuring that a community and consumer perspective is included in understanding community health needs and assessing the extent to which community benefit spending addresses those community health needs and population health.

The CSAC may also discuss patient stories related to the consumer experience in Maryland that may help inform HSCRC policies related to topics that impact consumers.

CSAC Meetings:

·       Meetings are anticipated to be 2-3 hours in duration and to be convened every two three months; meeting dates and times for the following year will be set in advance.

·       Meeting participation options include in-person at the HSCRC office, or via conference call and webinar.