Introduction
Quality care is our top priority. Through data collection, measurement, network management, and analysis, opportunities for improvement in care and services are regularly identified and addressed. Data collected for quality improvement activities are frequently related to key indicators of quality that include high-risk diagnoses or services to special populations, or access to care. Carelon’s quality improvement team ensures that the data collected to assess performance and/or outcomes are valid, reliable, and comparable over time.
Review the most up-to-date quality assurance documents that outline reports and findings, quality standards and best practices, as well as continuous improvement strategies. These resources will help you maintain high standards of care and ensure compliance with Medicaid requirements.
Clinical Quality Resources
Supporting Clinical Quality Improvement
Welcome to our Clinical Quality Improvement Resource Hub. This page brings together practical tools, evidence-based brochures, and educational materials designed to support meaningful quality improvement interventions in clinical practice. These resources are intended to help translate data and best practices into actionable steps that improve care delivery and patient outcomes.
Whether you are planning a new initiative or strengthening an existing program, you will find materials that support performance improvement, care standardization, and sustained clinical excellence. All resources are designed to be used by clinical teams, quality leaders, and stakeholders committed to advancing safe, effective, and patient-centered care.
Explore the materials below to support your quality improvement efforts and drive measurable, sustainable change.
Data Link
The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) and the state’s Core Service Agencies developed and implemented a data sharing initiative, known as Data Link, to promote the continuity of treatment for individuals with serious mental illness who are detained in the detention center.
As the Administrative Services organization for the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), Carelon receives a daily file from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) of all individuals that have been:
- Detained and processed at local detention centers in the past 24-hour period
- Incarcerated in one of the Maryland state correctional facilities
- Remanded to the Department of Parole and Probation
This data is compared against Medicaid eligibility data, utilizing agreed upon data points to identify a detainee as a “match”. Once a match is identified, the process looks for mental health authorizations and paid Medicaid pharmacy claims within the past calendar year. This information is then electronically returned to the DPSCS and uploaded into their Electronic Health Record system where it can be viewed by authorized detention center medical staff. Detention center medical staff utilizes this data to address the detainees’ medical and mental health needs. Simultaneously, the data is also shared with the local Core Service Agency who may assist in providing coordinated care for the individual while detained and upon release.
Access Maryland’s DataLink Dashboard
Quarterly Data Link Meeting
Quarterly Data Link meetings will begin in February of 2026 to ensure the continuity of care for individuals with serious mental illness who are detained in detention centers or State correctional facilities. We are seeking cross functional representation including Clinical and IT support from the following stakeholder groups: BHA, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS), and the state’s Core Service Agencies. These meetings aim to facilitate structured communication and collaboration among stakeholders, thereby enhancing information sharing and care coordination for individuals transitioning between care settings. Ultimately, the objective is to improve the behavioral health service delivery system’s effectiveness through data analysis and strategic planning. The meeting shall review, at a minimum, the following information:
Review of Data Sharing Initiatives:
- Review permitted disclosures for protected health information pertaining to detained or incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities.
- Discuss the effectiveness of current data sharing practices and identify any barriers to seamless communication among stakeholders.
Coordination of Care:
- Evaluate efforts to coordinate care for individuals who are detained or have been recently released, ensuring their medical and behavioral health needs are addressed.
Performance Metrics Reporting:
- Present data and metrics on the outcomes of the Data Link initiative, assessing the effectiveness of information sharing across agencies.
Technical Support Planning:
- Address technical issues related to data transmission and identify solutions for improving the data-sharing process.
Action Item Follow-Up:
- Review action items from previous meetings, ensuring accountability and tracking progress on identified tasks.
Improvement and Compliance:
- Ensure continuous quality improvement by identifying trends and developing recommendations to maintain compliance with health care standards and regulations.