Baltimore Medical System

Who We Are

Baltimore Medical System (BMS), a non-profit 501 (c) 3 charitable organization, is an integral part of the health care safety net for tens of thousands of people in the Baltimore area. Our seven health centers and five school-based health programs are located in the heart of Baltimore’s neediest neighborhoods – communities with high rates of unemployment and poverty, low levels of education and job skills, and few or no health services.

Since 1984, BMS has been reaching out to populations that have all types of barriers to receiving even basic health care. These barriers are often financial (low incomes and/or no health insurance) but also may include language, lack of transportation, and lack of familiarity with community resources. We work hard to reduce or eliminate these barriers through a wide range of special programs and highly trained staff.

In 2004, we served over 34,000 patients and had nearly 124,000 patient visits with a staff of more than 40 highly skilled and trained physicians and other clinicians. Our primary care services include:

Baltimore Medical System

Touching Our Neighborhoods with the Best in Health Care

  • Internal Medicine
  • Family Practice
  • Pediatrics
  • Geriatrics
  • Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Mental Health

Baltimore Medical System

Touching Our Neighborhoods with the Best in Health Care

As a community health center, Baltimore Medical System is governed by a Board of Trustees, the majority of whose members are BMS patients. This governance model ensures that the communities served by BMS have significant input into identifying and developing the programs and services that are needed most by its residents.

Baltimore Medical System

Health Centers-

Communities Where We Are Needed Most

Baltimore Medical System (BMS) was formed in 1984 when the City of Baltimore privatized four Medicare-focused clinics run by the Health Department, creating a new nonprofit community-based organization. Since that time, we have grown both in number of sites and the geographic areas we serve, while also expanding our scope of services to include patients of all ages.

Our original four clinics were located in EastBaltimoreCity. Today, our geographic reach extends into East and SouthwestBaltimoreCounty and NorthwestBaltimoreCity. BMS is continually examining opportunities to expand services and open new health centers to provide accessible and affordable health care to the medically underserved.

Our current health center locations include:

Baltimore Medical System

Touching Our Neighborhoods with the Best in Health Care

Baltimore Medical System

at Annapolis Road

4000 Annapolis Road

Suite 105

Baltimore, MD 21227

410-789-8399

Baltimore Medical System

at Falls Road

3612 Falls Road

Baltimore, MD 21211

410-558-4848

Baltimore Medical System

St. Agnes

900 Caton Avenue

Baltimore, MD21229

443-703-3200

Belair-Edison Family

HealthCenter

3120 Erdman Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21213

410-558-4800

Highlandtown Community

HealthCenter

3509 Eastern Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21224

410-558-4900

Highlandtown Community

SpecialtyCenter

3701 Eastern Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21224

410-732-0202

MatildaKovalMedicalCenter

2323 Orleans Street

Baltimore, MD 21224

410-558-4747

MiddlesexHealthCenter

1245 Eastern Boulevard

Baltimore, MD 21221

410-558-4700

Baltimore Medical System

Touching Our Neighborhoods with the Best in Health Care

Baltimore Medical System

Profiles of Diversity – The Patients We Serve

The racially and ethnically diverse communities served by BMS health centers are characterized by low incomes, high rates of no health insurance and overall poor health status. For instance, within BMS’ service area:

  • 35% of the population is below 200% of the federal poverty level, with a high of 55% in EastBaltimoreCity.
  • 75,000 of BaltimoreCity residents lack health insurance, representing 11% of Maryland’s uninsured.
  • Asthma rates are 129% higher than for all of Maryland.
  • 10% or 61,000 BaltimoreCity residents are substance abusers.
  • Percentage of low birth weight babies is 13.9% compared to 8.2% for Maryland.
  • Infant mortality rates are nearly twice as high as the state (12.2% vs. 6.8%).
  • Ethnic enclaves include Greeks, Polish, Lithuanians, Italians and Koreans with a rapidly growing Hispanic population and influx of Eastern European and African refugees.

BMS serves nearly 35,000 patients, and in 2003, provided more than 108,000 primary care visits, a 2% increase from 2002. A profile of our patients illustrates they are as diverse as the communities our health centers serve.

  • 21% are 65 and over with Medicare, many qualifying for reduced deductibles or Part B premiums due to low incomes.
  • 17% have no health insurance, with more than 70% of this group qualifying for discounts on BMS services ranging from 40%–90%.
  • More than 1,100 students are enrolled in our five school-based health programs.
  • Our Deaf Services staff interprets for nearly 120 patient visits each month.
  • Our International Services provides interpretation for 800 monthly patient visits.
  • Approximately 325 new Hispanic patients register with BMS each month.
  • We are performing over 400 deliveries each year, a large percentage being high risk obstetrical cases.

Our diverse patient base has many needs and special circumstances that impact their ability to receive health care services. Baltimore Medical System is successfully addressing these needs every day.

Baltimore Medical System

Special Programs and Staff to Remove Barriers to Care

Baltimore Medical System (BMS) is committed to increasing access to health care by reducing or eliminating barriers faced by many patients. We have developed a broad range of patient support services and programs to meet this challenge, including:

  • Sliding Fee Scale – Discounts of up to 90% on medical service fees for qualified patients who do not have health insurance or who may be unable to pay the full fee for services.
  • Health Benefits Advisors – Specially trained staff available at every BMS health center to assist patients in determining eligibility for a variety of health benefits coverage options.
  • Specialty Care Referral Coordination – BMS staff make appointments for patients for specialty care and diagnostic testing.
  • Deaf Services – American Sign Language interpretation, care coordination and patient advocacy for the Deaf. This program attracts patients throughout Maryland.
  • Women’s Health Services – In addition to a broad range of services for all women, provides case management for high-risk pregnancies.
  • Hispanic Services – Two BMS health centers have been specifically designed to serve Baltimore’s rapidly growing Hispanic population. We employ bilingual physicians and other staff. Our written materials are in English and Spanish, and interpreters are available, as needed. Patients throughout Maryland receive healthcare at Baltimore Medical System due to this service.
  • International Services – Provides translation services for nearly 150 languages for initial health screenings and ongoing medical care to a growing refugee population in Baltimore.
  • Outreach and Access Services – BMS staff working directly in communities to reduce barriers to health care by increasing awareness of available services.
  • School-Based Health – BMS operates five school-based health centers that provide well-child and sports physicals, immunizations, family planning, health education and treatment for acute illnesses. For many of these children, this is their primary sources of health care.

Baltimore Medical System

Touching Our Neighborhoods with the Best in Health Care