Where to Go for Care in Baltimore, A Practical Guide

Baltimore residents have a range of emergency and non emergency care options within the city and the surrounding region. For critical and complex cases, Johns Hopkins Hospital in East Baltimore operates as a Level I trauma center with broad specialty services and a full emergency department. The University of Maryland Medical Center, downtown near East Lombard and South Greene Street, provides major trauma and tertiary care with affiliated specialty services and its own emergency department. Other hospitals that serve city and regional needs include Sinai Hospital, Northwest Hospital and St. Joseph which has a Towson affiliation with UMMS. Confirm location and specialty services with a facility before traveling.

For illnesses and injuries that are not life threatening, urgent care centers run by UMMS, other health systems and independent clinics offer same day treatment for colds, cuts, sprains, minor infections and some laboratory tests and X rays. Many urgent care centers accept walk ins and a range of insurance plans. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers provide primary care, behavioral health services and sliding scale payment options for uninsured and underinsured patients, and they can be important for reducing repeat emergency department visits.

Behavioral health and substance use emergencies can be addressed through Baltimore Crisis Response teams, mobile crisis lines and health department resources. For any immediate danger to life or safety, call 911. For non immediate crises, contact local crisis lines or the city health department for information about mobile response and follow up care.

To improve access and affordability bring insurance cards and photo identification to any appointment. If uninsured ask hospital billing offices or financial counseling about charity care, sliding scale fees and payment plans. Follow up with community clinics early after an emergency department visit, as many clinics offer same week or next week appointments. Prescription assistance programs and 340B discount pharmacy programs can help lower medication costs.

The Baltimore City Health Department posts guidance about seasonal vaccines, flu clinics, newborn vaccination recommendations and outbreak notifications. Many hospitals and clinics also offer telehealth for routine care, and patients can schedule virtual visits through provider portals or by phone. Verify phone numbers, hours and service availability directly with each institution before travel.