Maryland Health Care

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene work efficiently to improve the health and living standards of the community by implementing many health regulating services and policies. The health department has its sub divisions which provide all vital records and health statistics of the state. The health department also implements various plans and policies for the community and environmental health to minimize illness and people lives a healthy life.

Hospitals in Maryland

Hospitals in Maryland are well equipped with technologically advanced facilities, efficiently manned and provide 24-hour inpatient care, including medical, nursing, surgical, anesthesia, laboratory, radiology, pharmacy services, child care, maternity care, mental well being, and many more services. The hospitals in Washington make an effort to follow environmentally preferable practices so that the people of the state live a healthy lifestyle in a clean environment.


Some of the notable hospitals of Maryland are listed below.


The top 5 ranked hospitals in Maryland according to U.S News and World Reports include-

Johns Hopkins Hospital

Johns Hopkins Hospital is a comprehensive global health enterprise and top ranked hospital in Maryland as well as in Baltimore metro area by U.S News and World Reports. Johns Hopkins Medicine provide education to medical students, health care professionals, scientists, and the general public and is also successfully conducting many biomedical research to diagnose, prevent and treat human illness. The hospital has been nationally ranked in Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Cancer, Orthopedics, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Ear, Nose & Throat, Geriatrics, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Nephrology, Gynecology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, Rheumatology, Urology and Pulmonology. It has also been high performing in Rehabilitation department.

Contact Details:
Johns Hopkins Hospital
600 North Wolfe Street
Baltimore, MD 21287-2182
Phone: (410) 955–5000
Website: www.hopkinsmedicine.org

Mercy Medical Center

Mercy Medical Center has been ranked 2nd in Maryland and Baltimore metro area by U.S News and World Report. The hospital is efficiently serving the community with the help of the charitable services and dedication of the Sisters of Mercy, and effective staffs. Mercy Medical Center has been nationally ranked in Gynecology, Orthopedics and Neurology and Neurosurgery. It is also designated as high performing in Diabetes & Endocrinology, Cancer, Urology, Geriatrics, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, and Nephrology.

Contact Details:
Mercy Medical Center
301 St Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202-2165
Phone: (410) 332–9000
Website: www.mdmercy.com

University of Maryland Medical Center

University of Maryland Medical Center is ranked 3rd in Maryland and Baltimore metro area by U.S News and World Report. It is one of the oldest academic medical centers in the United States and is renowned for its superior care facilities and highly specialized clinical programs. The hospital has been nationally ranked in Cancer and Nephrology and also been designated as high performing in Ear, Nose & Throat, Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Gynecology, Geriatrics, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Urology, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, and Pulmonology.

Contact Details:
University of Maryland Medical Center
22 South Greene Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-1595
Phone: (410) 328–8667
Website: www.umm.edu

Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital

Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital is a private not-for-profit health center ranked 4th in Maryland and Baltimore metro area by U.S News and World Report. The hospital has been nationally ranked in Psychiatric department. Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital provides extensive care to those fighting mental illness and also offer comprehensive scope of mental health, special education and substance use services throughout the state.

Contact Details:
Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital
6501 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21204-6819
Phone: (410) 938–3000
Website: www.sheppardpratt.org

MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center

MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center is ranked 5th in Maryland and Baltimore metro area by U.S News and World Report. The hospital has been designated as high performing in Diabetes & Endocrinology, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Ear, Nose & Throat, Geriatrics, Nephrology, Gynecology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Pulmonology, Orthopedics and Urology.

Contact Details:
MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
9000 Franklin Square Drive
Baltimore, MD 21237-3901
Phone: (443) 777–7000
Website: www.medstarfranklin.org

For personal health experts, call at 855-MED-9878.

Blood Banks and Organ Donors in Maryland

Several organizations in Maryland are dedicated to provide organ, blood and tissue to those in need. The organizations are committed and striving to meet the transplant needs of the people of Maryland.

Some of the notable blood banks in Maryland are listed below-

Donate a Life

Donate Life Maryland (DLMD) is the state-authorized non profit organization that is committed to provide and manage the organ, eye and tissue donations to the people in need and help save as many lives as possible. In 2007, DLMD was formed by the collaboration of three organizations, namely the Living Legacy Foundation of Maryland, Washington Regional Transplant Community and the Medical Eye Bank of Maryland. The organization also promotes the community to participate and support the cause, educates people on how donation works, organ transplant waiting list, what is brain death and what organs and tissues can be donated. Many people in need are on waiting lists for organs and Donate Life is operating diligently to meet the transplant needs of the people.

Contact Donate Life Maryland
1730 Twin Springs Rd
Baltimore, MD 21227
1-866-MD-DONOR
Email: info@donatelifemaryland.org
Website: http://donatelifemaryland.org/


Contact Eye Bank of Maryland
815 Park Ave
Baltimore, MD 21201-4806
Tel: (410) 752-2020 or (410) 752-3800

Maryland Health Insurance

The Affordable Care Act, also known as the Obamacare Act requires all individual, including children to get insured or pay a penalty through the Obamacare Tax Penalty based on their taxable annual income and household size. U.S News generally advises the citizens to get insured because unexpected emergency medical expenses can easily bankrupt anyone who is not covered under any insurance. Those people whose income falls below the threshold to file a tax return are exempted from the Obamacare Tax Penalty. The Obamacare also determines whether the person qualifies for a tax credit or subsidy to pay for the health insurance. To avail the subsidy, it is advised to opt for a health plan that has been approved by the government of Arizona or federally approved. An Exchange Program is provided to the people who are not qualified for a subsidy, otherwise one can buy the many private health insurance plans available in Arizona’s policy marketplace. The official portal to buy Obamacare Health Exchange Plan is Health Insurance Marketplace.

The health care reform has included numerous affordable health insurance options for women, particularly pregnant women. The Affordable Care Act provides affordable coverage and also offers financial assistance to minimize any personal expenses. Legally all health insurance plans must cover maternity, prenatal care visits and newborn care health benefits without any personal out of pocket cost-sharing.

Also read: Health Insurance Details and How to compare and buy Private Insurances

Contact Details:

• Kindly contact the below given number for options related to Maryland Assistance for families, Maryland Children’s Health Program and Women, Health Choice Program, Primary Adult Care Program, Family Planning Program and Providers.
  
  Medicaid/ Medical Assistance: 1-800-456-8900 / 1-800-284-4510
  
  
• Kindly contact the below given number for options related to Questions for Health Choice Enrollment, General Information, Eligibility and Billing Assistance, Pharmacy Access Hotline and Pharmacy related issues and Citizenship Identity.
  
  Medicaid/Medical Assistance/Beneficiary Services/Pharmacy Access: 410-767-5800
  
  
• Eligibility Services: 410-767-1594
  
  
• Maryland Pharmacy Program: 410-767-1455
  
  
• Provider Enrollment: 410-767-5340
  
  
• Provider Relations: 410-767-5503
  
  

Maryland Nursing Homes

Maryland is committed to serve the seniors and people in need with superior quality and efficiently staffed nursing homes. Numerous nursing homes in Maryland are rated by the federal Centres for Medicare & Medicaid Services and their overall services in nurse staffing, quality of medical care and cost effective. Almost all the nursing homes provide for medicare and medicaid services.

Some of the five star rated nursing homes in Maryland include-

Maryland Health Statistics and Vital Records

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Virtual Data Unit (VDU) oversees and manages the collection, and distribution of public health and vital statistics data. The division works concurrently with state other agencies to provide technical assistance to users to procure the vital records, sort and solve problems and upgrade to meet the emerging health trends.


The Office of Vital Records maintains a uniform system of registration and manages all certified copies of vital records, including birth, death, still birth and fetal death, marriage and divorce certificates and all related events registered and occurred in Maryland.

Birth Certificate:

The following person may apply for birth certificates:

• An individual requesting his/her own birth certificate.
  
  
• A guardian appointed by court.
  
  
• Individual’s parent whose name is mentioned on the certificate.
  
  
• Foster appointee without proof of guardianship is not allowed.
  
  
• A representative having a duly signed letter by the individual, guardian, or parent and certified by a notary public, stating the representative's permission to receive a copy of the certificate.
  
  
• A surviving spouse of the individual named on the certificate.

How to Apply?

• Mail the application, photocopies of required identification, fee, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to-
  
  Division of Vital Records
  P.O. box 68760
  Baltimore, MD 21215-0036
  
  
• Online service: www.vitalchek.com
  
  
• Telephone: 410-764-3170
  
  

Death Certificate:

The following person may apply for death certificates:

• Deceased individual's surviving relative
  
  
• Funeral director who handled the final ritual of the deceased
  
  
• Deceased surviving relative's authorized representative.
  
  
• An individual with proven legal requirement.
  
  
• Court of law
  

How to Apply?

• Mail the application, photocopies of required identification, fee, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to-
  
  6550 Reisterstown Road
  Baltimore, Maryland 21215
  
  
• Online: www.vitalchek.com
  
  

Marriage or Divorce Certificate

The following person may apply for birth certificates:

• Either spouse whose name is mentioned on the record.
  
  
• A person representing either spouse named on the record and he/she must possess a letter stating that s/he has permission to obtain a copy of the marriage certificate. One of the spouses must sign the letter and certified by a notary public.
  
  
• Attorney representing either spouse whose names are given on the record with a proof supporting that he/she is legally representing either spouse.

How to Apply?

• Mail the application, photocopies of required identification, fee, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to-
  
  6550 Reisterstown Road
  Baltimore, Maryland 21215
  
  
• Online: www.vitalchek.com
  
  
• Telephone: 1-800-255-2414

Contact Division of Vital Records
6550 Reisterstown Road
Reisterstown Road Plaza
Baltimore, MD 21215

Health Statistics: ^[1]

Leading causes of Death per 100,000 population in Maryland in 2013

• Heart disease - 171.7
• Malignant neoplasms - 161.9
• Cerebro-vascular disease - 35.7
• Chronic lower respiratory disease - 32.4
• Accidents - 27.0 (Including motor vehicle accidents and falls were each responsible for about a third of all accidental deaths in 2013)
• Diabetes - 19.0
• Influenza and pneumonia - 17.0
• Septicemia - 14.8
• Alzheimer’s disease - 14.2
• Self-harm (suicide) - 9.0
• Assault (homicide) - 7.2
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease - 3.5

Infant Mortality Rate per 1000 live births in Maryland, 2013-

• Total - 6.6%
• White - 4.6%
• Black, NH - 10.6%
• Hispanic - 4.7%
  
  

Important Contact Details:

Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
201 W. Preston Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Phone: 410-767-6500
Toll Free: 1-877-4MD-DHMH (1-877-463-3464)
E-mail: dhmh.healthmd@maryland.gov.
Website: http://dhmh.maryland.gov

Frequently Requested Numbers:

• Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration - 410-402-8600
• Developmental Disabilities Administration - 410-767-5600
• Family Health Administration - 410-767-5300
• Human Resources - 410-767-5423
• Infectious Disease and Environmental Health Administration - 410-767-1255
• Laboratories Administration - 410-767-6100
• Mental Hygiene Administration - 410-402-8300
• Office of Communications - 410-767-6490
• Office of Health Care Quality - 410-402-8015
• Health Professional Boards/ Commissions - 410-764-4700
• Vital Records - 410-764-3038

Local Health Departments:

• Allegany County - 301-759-5000
• Anne Arundel County - 410-222-7095
• Baltimore City - 410-396-4398
• Baltimore County - 410-887-2243
• Calvert County - 410-535-5400
• Caroline County - 410-479-8000
• Carroll County - 410-876-2152
• Cecil County - 410-996-5550
• Charles County - 301-609-6900
• Dorchester County - 410-228-3223
• Frederick County - 301-600-1029
• Garrett County - 301-334-7777
• Harford County - 410-838-1500
• Howard County - 410-313-6300
• Kent County - 410-778-1350
• Montgomery County - 240-777-1245
• Prince Georges County - 301-883-7879
• Queen Anne’s County - 410-758-0720
• St. Mary’s County - 301-475-4330
• Somerset County - 443-523-1700
• Talbot County - 410-819-5600
• Washington County - 240-313-3200
• Wicomico County - 410-749-1244
• Worcester County - 410-632-1100

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References:

1. Health Statistics