Baltimore Medical System (BMS) partners with the Maryland Department of Health, Prevention & Health Promotion Administration (PHPA) under contract to administer health assessments for individuals newly arriving from overseas under humanitarian programs. Each year, BMS screens approximately 1,600–1,800 eligible individuals from six jurisdictions at our Highlandtown location.
We provide comprehensive healthcare that addresses your whole health picture — including nutrition, injuries, illnesses, and surveillance for infectious diseases such as parasites, hepatitis B, HIV, syphilis, and tuberculosis. For adult newcomers, we also screen for symptoms of depression or anxiety and help establish care and treatment options.
To connect with us, call (443) 703-3404, email RefugeeHealth@bmsi.org or visit our Highlandtown Healthy Living Center at 3700 Fleet Street, Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21224.
Important note: BMS will not share your personal information with immigration authorities.
Who is eligible?
Eligible individuals include:
Refugees (individuals who enter a foreign country to escape danger or persecution)
Individuals granted asylum (those who arrive and apply for protection from persecution)
Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) recipients (for example, certain Iraqis and Afghans)
Humanitarian parolees (such as individuals from Ukraine or Afghanistan admitted under humanitarian parole)
Victims of trafficking
Cuban and Haitian entrants
These individuals may be referred by local resettlement agencies such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA), Global Refuge, World Relief (WR), and the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS).
The Health Assessment (RHA)
The Refugee Health Assessment is carried out by a dedicated multidisciplinary team—clinicians, clinical social workers, nurses, medical assistants, community health workers, and interpreters—to screen for public health-relevant conditions, including tuberculosis and both physical and mental health concerns.
What to Expect:
Two (up to three) appointments covering:
General health assessment (vision, hearing, dental exam)
Identification and treatment of immediate health needs
Diagnosis and management of communicable diseases
Review of immunizations and blood titers
Orientation to the U.S. health-care system
Referral to a primary-care provider
What to Bring
Proof of your current legal status
Proof of address
Insurance card(s)
Current medications
Any overseas medical records you have
Immunization records
Additional Information
- Please arrive on time for your appointment
- Patients under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
- Language support is available — please tell us your preferred language when scheduling
What’s next?
Most eligible newcomers who receive their assessment at BMS select BMS as their medical home and continue care with a primary-care provider.
Since 2000, BMS has offered culturally and linguistically sensitive care for individuals arriving under humanitarian or refugee programs. With dedicated staff, BMS has the experience and capacity to serve this population in a supportive environment.