Exploring Transportation Services in Baltimore County: A Comprehensive Guide

Baltimore County is home to a variety of transportation services that are available to its residents.

CountyRide

provides specialized transportation services for general purpose travel to county residents who meet certain criteria. The Health Care Transportation Grant Program is funded by the State of Maryland and coordinates transportation services for health care recipients (MAs) who reside in Baltimore County who need transportation to access medically necessary services. This program provides last-resort transportation for outpatients, wheelchairs, and stretchers who have no other transportation available to get to and from medical appointments. To ensure the safety and well-being of all customers, it may be necessary to cancel trips for routine medical appointments and prioritize the most serious medical transports during periods of bad weather.

Call the county or seller if you have questions or concerns about your transportation during inclement weather. This service is available to eligible residents of Baltimore County with medical assistance (Medicaid) and for medical services that are covered by medical assistance and for whom there is no other means of transportation. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene requires medical certification for all beneficiaries. A doctor must certify that the patient cannot use public transportation due to a specific medical condition. This form must be completed and signed by the patient's doctor.

Once the form is complete and signed, fax or mail it to the Baltimore County Health Department. Medical assistance Transportation is a safety net program only for eligible beneficiaries who have no other means of transportation available and only medically necessary services covered by Medicaid are provided by the least expensive method that meets the needs of the recipient. Baltimore County staff will conduct an evaluation to determine if other transportation resources are available initially quarterly, later, or when the recipient's circumstances change. A medical certification from the recipient's doctor is required at least once a year. Once enrolled, requests for travel assistance must be pre-scheduled.

Trips can be booked up to seven days in advance and must be requested 24 hours before the appointment or medical service. Same-day transportation is not provided. Recipients should be waiting to be picked up at the designated time and place. If the recipient is not present at the designated time and place for pick-up, that trip can be counted as “no-show”. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the need to confirm all future appointments in advance or other penalties may be imposed. During periods of bad weather, transportation services may be restricted or canceled.

The safety of recipients and drivers is a priority. Recipients should call the county or their transportation provider on the day of the inclement weather to check the status of operations. The Baltimore County Department of Health and Human Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or service provision.

Hart to Heart

offers covered transportation for medical care to and from medical appointments, as well as discharges and transfers from medical centers. Wheelchair customers can travel with other customers and their companions to and from appointments.

Not a private wheelchair van transportation service. Customers traveling by ambulance will not travel with other customers, as there is only one customer per ambulance. Hart to Heart is the contracted provider for Baltimore County. Hart to Heart can use subcontractors for wheelchair and ambulance trips. The Maryland Medical Assistance Program covers the cost of these transportation services.

There is no cost to the customer, as long as their trips are pre-organized and reviewed by the Baltimore County Health Department or its representative. To be eligible for these services, you must be a Baltimore County resident and have eligible medical assistance. You should have absolutely no other way to get to and from your medical appointment. You should ask your medical provider to complete and sign a Baltimore County Medical Transportation Certificate form and send it to the Baltimore County Health Department or Hart to Heart, as appropriate. All sections of this form must be completed in full and include all medical information. Your diagnosis must support the medical need for your mode of transportation.

Regular shuttle services operate Monday through Saturday and start at 5 a.m., ending as late as 8 p.m. Discharges and transfers to medical centers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Many customers in wheelchairs and stretchers need someone to accompany them to their medical appointments, while others may travel alone. When organizing your trips, let the Health Department staff know if you are taking someone with you because of your medical condition. Keep in mind that many doctors' offices will not serve patients unless a companion comes.

If that is the case, it is your responsibility to make arrangements for someone to travel with you, as we are unable to provide you with escorts. This is particularly true for clients on stretchers who go to a doctor's office. At first, get a warning and be informed that if you don't show up, if the recipient doesn't show up in the future, you may have to call the county the day before any future appointment to schedule a ride. Generate an advance confirmation notice that requires the recipient to call the day before the appointment to schedule their trip. This will include recipients who have standing orders to repeat appointments. As it is a shared trip program (except for transportation on a stretcher), due decorum and respect for other passengers is expected at all times.

Passengers are reminded that in these vehicles you cannot eat, drink or smoke. Name and direct telephone number of the caller, pick-up address, name of center with room number (if applicable), telephone number destination address zip code along with name building number room suite telephone number directly room suite (not main telephone number center).In conclusion, Baltimore County offers several options when it comes to transportation services for its residents who meet certain criteria such as those enrolled in Medicaid programs or those who require special assistance due to physical disabilities or health conditions. The county provides specialized services such as CountyRide, Health Care Transportation Grant Program, Hart To Heart, among others which offer free rides when pre-scheduled 24 hours prior an appointment or service. These programs prioritize safety above all else so during periods of bad weather trips may be restricted or canceled altogether so it's important that customers call ahead on those days. Finally, passengers should always remember that due decorum and respect for other passengers is expected at all times so eating drinking or smoking inside these vehicles is strictly prohibited.