The State of Maryland Department of Health AHEAD Primary Care Program

Overview of the Program

Through the AHEAD model, Maryland envisions building a sustainable advanced primary care system that provides access to high-quality whole person care for all Marylanders and supports strong linkages across the healthcare continuum. Leveraging the success of the Maryland Primary Care Program (MDPCP) established under the Total Cost of Care Model, AHEAD aims to improve health outcomes for all people in Maryland, while simplifying the administrative burden for providers through all-payer alignment.

Maryland's AHEAD Primary Care Programs includes three main pathways: an infrastructure path, a Medicare path, and a Medicaid path. The Infrastructure path is for a small group of select ​practices that are building new or expanding advanced primary care in underserved areas of the state. The Medicare path includes two options: MDPCP-AHEAD and an entry level option for practices that are newer to value-based payment models: PC AHEAD. The first year of the Medicaid Advanced Primary Care Program is underway and participation in this program is now a prerequisite for either MDPCP-AHEAD or PC AHEAD. Practices that are not currently participating in these programs will have an opportunity to apply to participate in 2027.

There will be an AHEAD Primary Care Application Open Office Hour Tuesday, May 5 from noon until 1:00 p.m. Drop by any time during the Hour to pose any program or application questions.

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is accepting applications for the Medicaid Advanced Primary Care Program, as well as MDPCP-AHEAD and PC AHEAD for PY 2027.

The Medicaid Advanced Primary Care Program is the gateway to all of Maryland's AHEAD Primary Care Programs for PY 2027. Participation in this program is at the practice TIN level. Note: The Application for this program starts on Page 2.

MDPCP-AHEAD and PC AHEAD are Medicare advanced primary care programs. Participation in each of these programs is at the practice site level. Note: The Application for MDPCP-AHEAD starts on Page 3 and the Application for PC AHEAD starts on Page 4.

This Application is for:

• Practice organizations that are interested in applying for the Medicaid Advanced Primary Care Program and if applicable, MDPCP-AHEAD and PC AHEAD.
• Current Medicaid Advanced Primary Care Program participants that are interested in applying for MDPCP-AHEAD or PC AHEAD.
• Practice organizations currently in the Medicaid Advanced Primary Care Program and either MDPCP-AHEAD or PC AHEAD, but want to apply for the other Medicare program.

Please complete the Maryland AHEAD Advanced Primary Care Programs Application by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22. 

**A recorded walkthrough to provide more information on what you need to complete the application.

AHEAD Primary Care Application Open Office Hour Tuesday, May 5 from noon until 1:00 p.m.

Drop by any time during the Hour to pose any program or application questions.