Maryland Increases Hospital Reimbursements

Maryland doctors have largely have two targets: Maryland medical malpractice lawyers and insurance companies.  With respect to the latter, it made a small step forward last week when the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission came to a compromise with hospital representatives and insurers on the rates Maryland hospitals can charge to patients Wednesday by approving a 1.77% increase.  

Earlier this week, hospital representatives, insurers and state officials agreed on a rate increase of 2.12 percent, but the commission decided to drop the rate to a 1.77 percent increase. The Maryland Hospital Association initially asked for an increase of 3.8 percent.   

You would think 1.77 percent is no big deal.  But it will bring in an additional $230 million for Maryland hospitals.