The Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) has developed methods to benchmark the cost and utilization of medical services in Maryland against other metropolitan statistical areas of the United States with similar population characteristics. The HSCRC commissioned Milliman and consulting firm Abt Associates (now known as Abt Global) to assist in this benchmarking process. After presenting some background, a summary, and exhibits, this report covers the following topics with respect to data sources and processing: 

• Summary of changes from prior reporting
• Maryland All-Payer Claims Database
• Commercial experience-based benchmark database
• Definition of cost
• Service category assignment
• Risk score normalization
• Unit price normalization
• Plan benefit normalization

This report was commissioned by the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission.