How Maryland invested in communities to curb health costs

In 2013, Maryland set out to improve health in five communities — designated “health enterprise zones” — by recruiting primary care doctors and health workers to improve outcomes and cut down on unnecessary hospitalizations. A new study suggests that investment has paid off. Researchers analyzed data from 2013 to 2016 in the five zones and in areas weren’t health zones, but met the criteria to be one.

Inpatient stays fell in both areas, but dropped more dramatically in the health zones. Rates of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder also fell in the zones, but ER visits climbed. Despite that increase, the study suggests the program saved money: The reduction in inpatient stays saved an estimated $168.4 million, while the initiative only cost $15.1 million to implement.