transportation

Medical Transport Assistance

Provides transportation to medical appointments for persons receiving Medical Assistance. Also handles transportation complaints.

This need can be used for any transportation assistance program for patients.  Some insurance companies offer this service.  There is also a grant program that most who receives Medical Assistance can apply for.  See details below!

1. Requirements: 

• Your client must receive medical assistance (MA), or medicaid, benefits from the state of Maryland.  If so, fill out the application for the medical assistance transportation grant program. See Application below

2. Protocol to submit application:

• Fax completed application to 410-396-7433 (Baltimore City) or 410-887-2828 (Baltimore County)

• Mail original application to the specific Health department offices for the city/county. Addresses can be found on the applications below.

• Keep one copy of the application for the clinic records and one for Health Leads records
  
  

3. If approved:

If the client gets approved through medical assistance, call the scheduling line 410-396-7633 for Baltimore City; 410-887-2828 for Baltimore County to schedule an appointment for a taxi at the date/time of the patient's appointment.  You can call 3 days before the appointment up to 24 hours before the appointment.  You cannot call earlier.

4. If NOT approved:

If they do not get approved through medical assistance, you can try the client's insurance company/MCO.

5. Priority Partners:

If the client has Priority Partners, you can call their outreach office at: 410-424-4648, option 2, to see if they can get transportation for their appointment. Priority Partners requires that they have first filled out the MA grant program application.

6.Confirm:

Call your client and confirm that they got to their appointment in a cab provided by one of the medical transportation assistance programs.

• Baltimore City Medical Assistance Transportation Application

• Baltimore County Medical Assistance Transportation Application

7.Usage Cases:

The Medical Assistance Transportation program will only allow the patient to travel in the cab.  If the patient is a child, only one parent can accompany them.  NO siblings allowed to go in the cab with the family.  Asking the family how many people need to get to the appointment will help you determine if they can use the MA program or if you should try directly through their insurance/MCO.  

• The MA program is a "last resort" resource for patients that have circumstances that make it difficult for them to use public transportation (ie: wheelchair, stretcher bound, etc).  However, some insurance companies/MCOs require that you apply first through the MA program and get denied before they will offer you services.  

• Clients are only eligible for transportation if the medical appointment is a "covered medical service" under the Maryland Medical Assistance program.  For example routine dental checkups are not eligible for Medical Assistance Transportation.

• Clients enrollled in Primary Adult Care (PAC) program are not eligible for Medical Assistance Transportation.

Target time for successful resolution: 30-45 days, if applying for grant program (application for grant is below); 3-10 days if using existing service through insurance company

Contact Information:

Baltimore City Health Dept., Medical Assistance Transportation Program. 

211 East 25th Street

Baltimore Maryland 21218

Scheduling 410-396-7633

Transportation Complaints 410-396-7635

Information Line 410-396-4398

Non-Emergency Medical Transport

Non-Emergency Transportation (NEMT) is available for recipients who have no other means of getting to their medical appointments. We provide the following services: 

• Ambulatory

• Ambulance

• Aero medical

• Wheelchair 

Transportation is provided by local jurisdictions. Use the Local Transportation Contacts PDF below to schedule for the correct location.

Transportation services must be scheduled a minimum of 24 hours in advance, with the exception of hospital discharges. 

Have the following information ready:

•  Medical assistance number

•  Pickup address

•  Date

•  Time and address of appointment 

When calling, you will be asked a list of questions, as we can only provide transport for those who have no other means of getting to their appointments. Transportation services are subject to limitations (see PDF below). 

If you are have problems in obtaining transportation, please contact the Transportation Grant Manager for your county. 

Website Link: https://mmcp.health.maryland.gov/communitysupport/Pages/ambulance.aspx

Public Transport Assistance

This need is mostly for people who are senior citizens or who have a disability. There are not many resources for those who do not meet the below requirements, so the best idea would be to connect them with the Charm City Circulator.

Steps:

Step 1: Ask the age of your client because if your client is 65 or older there are many options.  Also ask if your client is qualified for disability rewards.

Step 2: If your client says yes to either of these questions than you have many options.  If they say no ask if they have a medicare card.

Step 3: If they said yes to having a medicare card, then look into the Disabled Reduced Fare Program.  

Step 4: If the client says no to all of these questions then mention the Charm City Circulator to your client. If that is the best option then go on the website and print out an updated schedule with a map for your client.

MobilityLink:

MobilityLink service is a curb-to-curb service for people with disabilities who are not able to ride a regular bus, light rail, or subway route. It is provided within three-quarters of a mile of any fixed-route service in Baltimore City and Baltimore & Anne Arundel counties. There is a cost to mobility service: The one-way cash fare is $2.20 as of 2025. The application is below (PDF). After submitting an application signed by your client's healthcare provider, they must schedule an appointment. 

Reduced Fare Card Program

Senior citizens, 65 years and older, can ride local Bus, Light Rail and Metro Subway for around one-third the regular fare, and approximately one-half the regular fare on MARC Train service.  Call 410-767-3441 or use the website to find out where your client can apply. Your client needs to show a Medicare card and government issued photo ID.

To Resolve your client must confirm acceptance into transit subsidy program and/or receipt of subsidized transit.

Transportation Assistance Program: 

Provides clients with a reliable used car for two years or 24,000 miles

• Go on this website to learn more. If interested, contact a TAP Coordinator at a local department of social services.

• The Baltimore City Director is Stacy L. Rodgers. The Baltimore City DSS Administration Building is located at Talmadge Branch Building 1910 N. Broadway Street Baltimore, Maryland 21213. The contact number is 443-378-4600 and the building is open from 8:30 AM-5:00PM. Use this link to find the Center closest to your client.

Taxicard Program

Provides clients with subsidized transportation to Baltimore City residents aged 60+ or residents with a disability

• Go to the Taxicard Website to apply online or print and mail the application to 6300 Blair Hill Lane, Suite 301 Baltimore, MD 212109