The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has awarded a contract with a New York company to provide third-party liability and cost containment services.

The DHMH awarded the 18-month contract to HMS, a coordinator of benefits and program integrity services for healthcare providers in more than 40 states, with an option by the government agency to renew for two additional one-year periods.

HMS will provide data matches, cost avoidance and provider overpayment review services, as well as recovery services, to support DHMH’s third-party liability initiatives, the company said in a statement.

“We are honored to continue as a long-standing partner in Maryland’s cost containment initiatives,” said Maria Perrin, HMS’s executive vice president of government services. “Deploying a robust suite of HMS services provides the DHMH with the tools they need to help them contain costs and increase operational efficiencies.”

HMS has served the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for over 20 years, providing cost recovery and cost containment services that have resulted in over $200 million in recoveries and savings for the program.

In addition to its services to states, HMS’ clients also include commercial programs, including commercial plans, employers, and more tha 100 Medicaid managed care plans; the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; and Veterans Administration facilities.