Data Definition and Methodology: This measure shows the average number of days that a patient must wait to schedule a primary care appointment among patients visiting Maryland Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs).

Data for this measure was obtained from the Maryland MCO Network Adequacy Validation Reports, an annual assessment of MCO quality, access, and timeliness of care conducted by an independent third party contracted through MDH.

Public Health Significance: Maryland's nine MCOs employee over 22,000 primary care providers (PCPs) who collectively serve 1.8 million Medicaid recipients in Maryland. Ensuring that patients can schedule appointments quickly and at their convenience is a critical component of efficient healthcare delivery and impacts healthcare utilization and patient outcomes. To meet compliance with MDH's routine care appointment requirement, providers must have an appointment (in-person or telemedicine) available within 30 days of the survey call date with the service provider or an alternative provider at the same location.

Additional Resources:

• Maryland MCO Information