MedChi President Eric Wargotz, MD, Past President Ben Lowntritt, MD, and CEO Gene Ransom gave an in-depth update on Maryland’s AHEAD model and what it means for physicians across the state. Recorded on December 12, 2025, this session breaks down the latest federal and state developments, how AHEAD interacts with EQIP and global budgets, and what physicians should expect as Maryland moves into the next phase of implementation. To view the slides from this meeting, please click here.

What is Primary Care AHEAD?

A voluntary, beneficiary-focused advanced primary care program designed to align Medicare with state-led primary care efforts. It has an overarching, flexible framework of care transformation priorities that will complement statewide Medicaid primary care priorities. Primary Care AHEAD is intended to increase overall capacity for care coordination and connection to community resources, improve quality, offer whole person-centered care, and minimize provider burden.

For the full All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model Primary Care AHEAD Factsheet, please click here.

The AHEAD Model: Healthcare Transformation	The AHEAD Model: Population Health	The AHEAD Model: Primary Care

We are excited to announce that the Medicaid Path will launch August 1st! MDH received approval on June 23, 2025 from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the payment authorities (state-directed payments) needed to launch the Medicaid Path of Maryland’s AHEAD Primary Care Program. 

Enhanced Evaluation and Management (E&M) fees for all primary care providers participating in the Medicaid program will go into effect on August 1, 2025. A transmittal outlining the details of these payments will be forthcoming. 

Care Management fees for provider organizations contracted to participate in the Medicaid alternative payment model (Medicaid Path or Medicaid Advanced Primary Care) should be disbursed by the end of August, and will account for the full Quarter 3 2025 payment amount (e.g., providers will receive the care management per member per month fees for the months of July through September). 

If you have any questions, please reach out to mdh.pcmodel@maryland.gov.

Materials from December 12, 2025 AHEAD Program Update with MedChi President Eric Wargotz, MD, Past President Ben Lowntritt, MD, and CEO Gene Ransom

• AHEAD Program Update Slides

Materials from July 28, 2025 Provider Town Hall: Medicaid Advanced Primary Care Program Meeting

• Town Hall Meeting Slides

Materials from April 24, 2024 TOC/HTAC Meeting

• Proposed Ahead Medicare Savings Test with Administratively Set Trend
• Total Cost of Care Workgroup Meeting Slides

Materials from April 23, 2024 MDPCP Update CRISP Summit Meeting

• Presentation on AHEAD and Physician Alignment Programs from the CRISP User Summit
• MDPCP Update CRISP Summit Meeting Recording
  This discussion is comprised of a panel of Maryland’s healthcare leaders who will discuss the ongoing transformation throughout the state i.e. the AHEAD Model. Topics will range from effective partnership strategies to the evolution of the Total Cost of Care Model. Each panelist has a unique perspective on CRISP’s delivery system and will share how we can all be best positioned to provide high quality care.

Additional Resources

• HSCRC AHEAD Model Resource Page
• MedChi Letter to Secretary Scott Re: AHEAD Model Recommendations (7/19/2024)
• Summary of the Maryland AHEAD Model State Agreement (10/30/2024)
• AHEAD Model Primary Care Town Hall (2/10/2025)

Videos

Final MD AHEAD State Agreement

State Agreement Public Summary