Maryland Trauma Physician Services Fund
The Maryland Trauma Physician Services Fund provides payments to offset the costs of uncompensated and undercompensated medical care provided by trauma physicians to patients at Maryland's designated trauma centers; stipends to trauma centers to offset the trauma centers' on-call and standby expenses; and grant funding to trauma centers for certain equipment. The Fund is financed by a $5 surcharge on motor vehicle registrations.
The Maryland Health Care Commission contracts with a third party administrator, Luminarie Health to process uncompensated care claims for the Fund. Luminarie Health accepts uncompensated care claims either by electronic submission or by fax. The FAX number for claims submission is 877-411-5933.
Practices may submit an uncompensated care claim as soon as the practice has met its payment policy requirements for that claim. Payments are made by the State of Maryland on a monthly basis. The Maryland Trauma Physician Services Fund is the fund of last resort. Maryland trauma physicians are required to submit an annual reconciliation report to the Maryland Health Care Commission, whether or not they have received claims payments or reimbursement from other sources that were paid by the Trauma Fund.
Legislation affecting the Trauma Fund
HB 200 (Ch.101) Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2024), 2023,
Section 19, Item 56 page 292, $9.5 Million Distribution Criteria for Trauma
Centers
SB 493/Chapter 342, HB 675/Chapter 341 – Commission to Study Trauma Center Funding in Maryland
The Maryland Health Care Commission and the Health Services Cost Review Commission annually report to the Maryland General Assembly on the status of the Trauma Fund.
Trauma Fund Forms and Tools
Equipment Grant Application
On-Call Payment Threshold Table
Stand by Application
Maryland Trauma Fund Annual Reconciliation Report (No refund will be accepted without this form)
CMS 1500 Forms (example)
Trauma On-Call Application
Trauma Fund Manual
Please direct questions, comments, or concerns to Bridget Zombro, Trauma Consultant at bridgeta.zombro@maryland.gov, 410-764-3233; or to Maxine Traynham by email at maxine.traynham3@maryland.gov, or by telephone at 410-764-3780.