211 Care Coordination

We Help Emergency Room Departments

In partnership with the Maryland Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration, the 211 program facilitates referrals for ED patients in need of community-based behavioral health services, including resources for mental health conditions, substance use disorders and developmental disabilities.

You can also call 211, Press 4.

*If you need a bed, search the inpatient psychiatric and crisis bed board.

How The Program Works

Refer patients by dialing 2-1-1 and pressing 4 immediately. (Daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

You can also refer online.

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Acknowledge

211 Care Coordinators will acknowledge your referral within 30 minutes of receipt and will immediately begin identifying available resources through our powerful database.

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Connect

211 Care Coordinators will connect hospital staff and patients to available, conveniently located behavioral health services.

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Follow-Up

211 Care Coordinators will follow-up to ensure a successful placement and update the electronic record to close the loop with discharge planners.

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Which Patients Should Be Referred?

Refer patients that are:

1. Currently in the emergency department.

2. The patient is ready for discharge.*

3. Assistance is needed in locating behavioral health resources for the patient.

4. The patient provided consent.

*You do not need to refer a patient that is being admitted from the emergency department (ED) to an inpatient bed. Behavioral health patients that present to the ED can be referred after the psychiatric evaluation if they need additional care coordination.

Case Consultation

 

Case Consultation provides hospitals with dedicated time to review the status of open cases and collaborate on care coordination for patients with complex needs.

These 15 to 30-minute sessions allow hospitals to:

  • Discuss current cases.
  • Identify potential referrals.
  • Ensure patients are connected to the right community resources for continued support.

To schedule, email carecoordination@211md.org.

211 Hospital & Community Resource Network

The network brings together hospitals, state agencies and community organizations to tackle the challenges faced by patients with complex needs who are discharged from hospital settings and struggle to navigate community resources. These meetings provide a platform to strengthen partnerships, foster collaboration and develop actionable solutions to improve care coordination and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Meetings:

  • Address gaps in care for individuals transitioning from hospitals to the community.
  • Share innovative ideas and best practices for supporting patients with complex needs.
  • Improve access to and awareness of community resources.
  • Build stronger partnerships between healthcare and community organizations.

If your hospital or organization is not yet part of this critical effort, we invite you to join the conversation. Together, we can create a more seamless and effective care system for Maryland’s most vulnerable populations.

Meetings are held the first Monday of every month.

Want To Learn More?

Watch these videos to learn how to refer patients and access the provider portal.

How To Refer Patients

How To Access the Provider Portal

Need an Inpatient or Psychiatric Bed?

Check the Maryland Bed Board

Maryland's bed board helps discharge planners locate available psychiatric and crisis beds in real-time. Bed availability is updated three times a day.

Find the type of bed you need from the following categories:

  • Adult
  • Co-occurring
  • Geriatric
  • Adolescent
  • Child

You do not need to refer a patient to the 211 Care Coordination program if a patient is being admitted from the emergency department to an inpatient bed. They can be referred after the psychiatric evaluation if more care coordination services are needed like outpatient care, additional inpatient care or community-based behavioral health services.

Making An Impact

Patients Referred
Participating Hospitals
Counties Served

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