Maryland in a Minute – September

The Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) held their September meeting on September 9, 2026. The following statewide recommendations were reviewed by the commission:

AHEAD Funding Allocation: RY2027 Update Factor  – Final Recommendations

At the June 10, 2026, HSCRC meeting, the commissioners approved an additional $50 million in funding to hospitals for AHEAD readiness in both rate years 2027 and 2028. At that time, recommendations on how to allocate that $50 million per year were due at this meeting.

After provider feedback, HSCRC staff had the following recommendations:

• A $500,000 fixed cost element awarded to all acute care hospitals totaling $21.5 million. Staff believe there is a fixed cost element to AHEAD preparation regardless of the size and scale of each facility.
• The remaining $28.5 million be allocated based on the Gross Patient Revenue of each facility.
• Freestanding Medical Facilities and Shock Trauma revenues are included in their parent facility.
• Each hospital will be required to submit an attestation, signed by the CFO, by July 31 following both RY2027 and RY2028 enumerating how these funds were used during the year and a brief description of each item. Systems may submit a single attestation.

Recommendations passed by the commission.

Accounting and Budget Manual Updates  – Final Recommendations

Staff proposed the changes summarized below to the Accounting and Budget Manual that would be effective October 1, 2026:

• Section 200 (Chart of Accounts): Updated language contained in the Anesthesiology section.
• Section 400 (Reporting Requirements): Updated the requirements for specific reports and reformatted the section.
• Section 500 (Reporting Instructions): Provided an overview of reports and removed detailed reporting instructions.
• Section 700 (Appendix D): Updated language contained in the Labor & Delivery section.
• Appendix B (Hospital List): Updated the list of regulated hospitals and added additional reporting details.
• Appendix C (Cost Center Codes): Added additional reporting details.

Recommendations passed by the commission.

Past and upcoming HSCRC meeting information can be found here. Next meeting of the HSCRC will be held on October 21, 2026.

Cybersecurity Threats Put Maryland Healthcare on High Alert

Luminis Health recently experienced a cybersecurity incident involving an unauthorized criminal actor, resulting in disruptions to systems across the health system. Certain technology systems, including the MyChart patient portal, were taken offline, affecting access to services and potentially causing delays or changes to some appointments. Hospitals remained open and continued providing patient care while affected systems were restored.

Luminis Health launched an investigation with legal counsel and third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the scope of the incident and whether patient information was affected. As of its latest updates, the investigation remained ongoing and some systems continue to be unavailable.

The incident highlights a broader concern for Maryland healthcare organizations as cyberattacks increasingly threaten not only sensitive health information, but also day-to-day clinical operations, access to electronic health records, and continuity of patient care.

Major Changes Coming to Maryland Medicaid: What You Need to Know

Significant federal policy shifts (driven by the federal H.R. 1 legislation) are coming to Maryland Medicaid. While most of the 1.5 million enrollees will not experience changes, specific adult demographics face immediate updates.

Here is the high-level breakdown to share with your network:

• October 1, 2026 Non-Citizen Eligibility Shifts: Federal funding rules are narrowing Medicaid eligibility for adult non-citizens (ages 19–64). Impacted groups include refugees, asylees, and individuals granted parole for at least one year. Note: Children and pregnant individuals are exempt from these changes.
• January 1, 2027 Work & Renewal Requirements: New federal guidelines will introduce work or community engagement requirements for some adults. Additionally, affected individuals will face more frequent renewals (every 6 months instead of annually) and reduced retroactive coverage windows.

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• 11/4-11/6/2026 2026 Women in Healthcare LeadHERship Summit, Executive Panelists, President, Charlotte L. Kohler, [RN], CPA, CVA, CRCE, CPC, CPCO, CEMC, speaking on 11/5/26, Hotel ZaZa Museum District, Houston, TX 77005, Register Here!
• 12/9/26 12:00 – 1:00 pm Annual Coding Update, Manager, Heather Dunlap, CPC, CDEO, CEMC, CRC, CHONC, Webinar, Registration Coming Soon!

MD HFMA Calendar – Maryland Healthcare Financial Management Association

• 9/23/26 12:00 – 1:00 pm CY 2027 OPPS Proposed Rule: What’s Likely to Land, and What It Means for Region 4, Webinar, Register Here!
• 9/24-9/25/26 HFMA Maryland Fall Conference 2026, Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort, Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, Register Here!
• 9/30-10/2/26 Virginia/DC HFMA 2026 Fall Conference, Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Virginia Beach, VA, Register Here!
• 10/22/2026 12:00 – 1:00 pm Region 4 HFMA Webinar – Mastering Lean Business Excellence in the Revenue Cycle: Tools and Strategies for Success, Register Here!

MAHQ Calendar – Maryland Association for Healthcare Quality

• 10/16/26 12:00 -1:00 pm Diagnostic Error, Diagnostic Process, and Patient Safety, Jason W. Custer, MD, CPE, Chief Medical Office, Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, Register Here!

MHA Calendar – Maryland Hospital Association

• 10/21/26 1:00- 4:30 pm HSCRC Commission Meeting Public Meeting

MHEI Calendar – Maryland Healthcare Education Institute

• 9/24/26 8:30 – 4:00 pm TJC & CMS Infection Prevention & Control Overview, 6820 Deerpath Rd, Elkridge, MD 21075, Register Here!
• 10/20/26 12:00 -2:00 pm Virtual Training – AHEAD for Mid-Level Healthcare Leaders: Understanding the Model, Navigating Change, Leading Forward, Register Here!
• 10/27/26 8:30 – 4:00 pm TJC & CMS Update 2026, 6820 Deerpath Rd, Elkridge, MD 21075, Register Here!

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