October 23rd, 2018 by WCBC Radio
Maryland Board of Physicians’ Chair Damean W.E. Freas, D.O., Maryland Board of Physicians Executive Director Christine A. Farrelly, and the members of the Maryland Board of Physicians (Board) are pleased to announce that the Board has approved a fee reduction that will save its licensees more than $1.1 million over the next two fiscal years. The Board regulates approximately 45,000 licensees from numerous professions.
To support and participate in Governor Hogan’s statewide Fee Rollback Plan, to reduce or completely eliminate fees across state government, without disrupting operations of the state agency or department, the Board conducted a fiscal analysis of its revenue and expenditures.
After thorough review of the completed fiscal analysis, the Board — with the full support of Maryland Department of Health Secretary Robert R. Neall — recently unanimously approved a fee reduction for all licensees for the next two fiscal years (2020 and 2021) beginning July 1, 2019.
“I’m proud that the Board, the Maryland Department of Health, and Governor Hogan have worked to increase focus on fiscal responsibility and transparency to the benefit of our licensees,” said Dr. Freas. “The Board will continue to evaluate efficiencies in operations while fulfilling its mission to assure quality health care in Maryland.”
“At a time when physicians and others licensed by the Board are deeply concerned about the financial stability of their chosen field, these fee reductions represent one way the state is demonstrating its commitment to recruit and retain clinicians to meet the needs of all Marylanders,” said Bob Atlas, president & CEO of the Maryland Hospital Association. “As we prepare to implement Maryland’s new health care model, removing barriers – whether they are financial, regulatory, or legal – will be key to keeping cost growth in check and making sure providers are focused on what matters most: the care and well-being of their patients and communities.”
“MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society, thanks the Hogan Administration and the Board of Physicians for these welcome fee reductions,” said Gene Ransom, CEO of MedChi. “These fiscally responsible operational changes will greatly benefit not only MedChi’s membership base, but the Maryland residents they serve.”
In addition to the increased focus on fiscal responsibility and increased transparency, the Board has achieved several other significant accomplishments, such as decreasing timeframes for licensure applications and investigations, implementing Criminal History Records Checks for all applicants and licensees, and issuing opioid guidelines.
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