A passenger's decision to cancel a trip less than two hours before the scheduled pick-up time or to not travel after the vehicle arrives within the scheduled time can be a tricky situation. The Health Care Transportation Grant Program, funded by the State of Maryland, coordinates transportation services for health care recipients (MAs) who reside in Baltimore County and 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 guarantee the safety and well-being of all our customers, it may be necessary to cancel trips for routine medical appointments and, at the same time, prioritize the most serious medical transports during periods of bad weather.
If you have any queries or worries about your transportation during inclement weather, call the county or provider. This service is available to qualified 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 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; however, this is 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; however, they 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 this service you must be a Baltimore County resident with 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 either 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 from 5 a.m. until 8 p.m., while 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 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 you will get a warning informing you that if you don't show up in future appointments you may have to call the county on day before any future appointment in order to schedule a ride; generate an advance confirmation notice that requires recipients call day before appointment in order schedule their trip; this will include recipients who have standing orders repeat appointments. As it is shared trip program (except for transportation on stretcher), due decorum respect other passengers etc., it expected runners all times; passengers reminded these vehicles cannot eat drink smoke; name direct telephone number caller pick-up address name center room bed number (if applicable) telephone number destination address zip code along name building number room suite telephone number directly. It's important for passengers using bus or truck services in Baltimore MD understand their cancellation policy so they can plan accordingly when making their trips.
The Health Care Transportation Grant Program provides last-resort transportation for those who have no other means of getting around due to their medical condition. To ensure safety during inclement weather conditions, trips may be canceled or restricted at any time without prior notice. In order to qualify for this service you must meet certain criteria such as being a resident of Baltimore County with eligible medical assistance who has no other way of getting around besides this program. You must also provide proof from your doctor that you cannot use public transportation due to your condition. Once enrolled in this program you must pre-schedule all trips at least 24 hours before they are due so they can be reviewed by either Baltimore County Health Department or Hart To Heart depending on which mode of transport you choose. If you fail to show up at your designated pick-up time without prior notice then you may receive warnings or penalties such as having all future appointments confirmed in advance. It's important that passengers follow all rules while using these services such as refraining from eating drinking smoking etc., so everyone can enjoy their ride safely. By understanding these policies passengers can make sure they are prepared when using bus or truck services in Baltimore MD so they can get where they need safely without any issues.
