Ronald Peterson, president of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and the Johns Hopkins Health System, explained partnerships that have been forged with Howard County to provide coverage for thousands of Howard residents without insurance through the Healthy Howard Access Plan.
Howard County’s initiative provides personalized health plans and outreach to working-class populations in need of insurance.
He responded to questions from The Examiner about the university’s partnership.
How is Johns Hopkins working with Howard County on this plan?
Several Johns Hopkins entities are playing significant roles as partners with Healthy Howard.
Johns Hopkins Healthcare serves as the administrator for the plan by providing enrollment services, claims management services and health coaching.
Howard County General Hospital, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Johns Hopkins Health System, is the hospital of choice for enrollees who need to be hospitalized.
Should a higher level of care be required, the Johns Hopkins Hospital stands prepared to receive these patients who would then be transferred from Howard County General Hospital. Hospitalized patients will receive free care.
Why is Johns Hopkins playing a role?
We feel it is important to be involved at several levels of this pilot program in order to learn what it takes to extend coverage and access into the ranks of the uninsured.
It is our hope that we can use this information to better understand what might be involved to expand this effort to a broader group of uninsured persons.
Overall, how will Hopkins’ role help residents?
It is our sincere hope that enrollees in this program will benefit from having access to primary care providers and health coaches and will benefit from a more orderly way of interacting with the health care delivery system.
Ultimately, we believe these residents will enjoy an opportunity for significantly improved health care with the hope of improving their health status.
To the extent that the various roles played by Hopkins entities will support this overall program, we believe we will contribute significantly to the improved health and well-being of these residents.
