For decades, Baltimore has had one of the highest rates of heroin addiction in the nation and the demand for heroin treatment exceeds supply. HCAM has several programs that not only address common barriers that prevent city residents from accessing treatment for their addiction we also collaborate with treatment programs, health centers, and doctors to make sure those in treatment are getting any additional healthcare services they need.
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Providers who need information about billing or the self-referral process for clients can visit the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website.
The HOPE Project
The HOPE Project is a HCAM outreach initiative providing PAC eligibility assistance to Baltimore City residents in need of addiction treatment. HCAM has treatment advocates in six methadone treatment sites across the city to help expand access to care and provide supports for those enrolled.
Baltimore Buprenorphine Initiative
The Buprenorphine Initiative is a collaborative effort of HealthCare Access Maryland, the Baltimore City Health Department, and Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems whose goal is to move clients stabilized in treatment to community doctors freeing treatment slots for new clients. The program brings together addiction treatment centers, community health centers, and primary care physicians to collectively join the fight against heroin addiction in Baltimore City.
Under this new system of care, clients begin buprenorphine maintenance treatment in a publicly funded treatment system before they are transferred to buprenorphine certified primary care providers in the community who will continue their buprenorphine treatment and address other primary health care concerns. HCAM has advocates in buprenorphine treatment sites across the city.
Click here for more information about the Baltimore Buprenorphine Initiative.
Treatment Advocates for both The HOPE Project and the Baltimore Buprenorphine Initiative assist clients with the following:
- Application and enrollment in the Primary Adult Care (PAC) program
- Obtaining all necessary documentation required for enrollment into PAC
- Helping clients navigate the Medicaid/HealthChoice system, including enrolling in a health plan and locating an appropriate provider (buprenorphine certified, if necessary)
- Providing case managment all clients during their stay at the treatment site
- Referring clients for other public benefits including food stamps and housing
- Scheduling PCP office visits and providing follow-up if necessary
- Assisting patients with barriers to care such as transportation and co-pays
- Collaborating with Baltimore Mental Health Systems to incorporate mental health services for those clients with dual diagnosis
- Collaboraing with the Baltimore City Health Department and Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems to improve system efficiencies, provider cooperation, and bolster relationships among clients, treatment sites, primary care providers, and MCOs.
The Empowerment Zone Project
HCAM’s Empowerment Zone Project outreachs clients either enrolled in or seeking drug treatment who live within Baltimore Empowerment Zones. These zones include, but are not limited to, the neighborhoods of Poppleton, Sandtown, Pigtown, Washington Village, and Historic East Baltimore. Advocates work closely with clients to make sure they are accessing all benefits that might enable them to remain in recovery, including public entitlements, housing, job training, and education programs. The goal of this program is to help clients transition from one stage of treatment to another – whether it be from contemplating treatment to enrolling in a program or moving from treatment to supportive services.
Learn more about The Empowerment Zone Project