Howard General Hospital Columbia: Contact & Patient Info

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Columbia, Maryland · Patient Contact Guide · Updated 2026

Howard General Hospital Columbia contact, ER, map, parking, MyChart, records, billing, and visitor help

Howard General Hospital Columbia commonly refers to the Columbia hospital now officially named Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center. The former name, Howard County General Hospital, changed in 2023, but many patients still search for the hospital using the older name.

The main hospital is at 5755 Cedar Lane, Columbia, MD 21044. Use this guide to find the correct phone number, emergency department process, visitor hours, parking lot, MyChart route, billing help, medical records office, floor-map details, and patient preparation steps.

Call Main Hospital: 410-740-7890 Call ER Desk: 410-740-7777 Open MyChart Official Hospital Page
Medical emergency: Call 911 for immediate emergency assistance. The hospital Emergency Department is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but the direct ER desk number should not replace 911 in a true emergency.
Current official name Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center

Formerly known as Howard County General Hospital.

Main address 5755 Cedar Lane

Columbia, MD 21044. Confirm the exact building if your appointment is in a specialty office.

General information 410-740-7890

Use for hospital routing, patient information, and general questions.

Emergency department 410-740-7777

Direct ER desk number. Call 911 for active emergencies.

Hospital access Open 24 hours

Main hospital and emergency care operate around the clock. Visiting hours are separate.

Visitor parking Free on-site parking

Visitor Lot C and other marked campus lots help route patients to the right entrance.

Start here: which Howard General Hospital Columbia service do you need?

The Columbia campus has a main hospital, emergency department, inpatient units, outpatient departments, and nearby specialty buildings. Use the right route before you drive.

Need Best action What to prepare
Life-threatening emergency Call 911 or go to the Emergency Department. ID, medication list, allergies, symptoms, and time symptoms started if safely available.
Emergency desk question Call the Emergency Department at 410-740-7777. Patient age, current symptoms, arrival method, and whether a doctor referred you.
General hospital information Call 410-740-7890. Patient full name, date of birth if calling about a patient, and the department you need.
Specialist or clinic appointment Use Johns Hopkins Find a Doctor or the appointment page. Insurance card, referral or prior authorization, reason for visit, and preferred Columbia location.
Medical records Contact Health Information Management or request records through MyChart. Photo ID, dates of service, exact records needed, destination provider, and signed authorization if required.
Hospital bill Pay through MyChart or call billing customer service. Account number, patient name, date of service, insurance explanation of benefits, and payment questions.
Visiting a patient Use general visiting hours and stop at the Information Desk for a visitor pass. Photo ID, patient’s full name, unit or room if known, and current visitor policy checks.

Howard General Hospital Columbia phone directory

Save the direct department number when one is available. It can reduce transfers through the main switchboard.

Department or need Phone Fax or note
General Information 410-740-7890 Hospital routing, patient information, and general questions.
Emergency Department 410-740-7777 Fax: 410-740-7551. Call 911 for immediate emergency assistance.
Pediatric Emergency Department / Pediatric Unit 410-884-4888 Fax: 410-884-4887.
Admitting 410-740-7670 Fax: 410-740-7674.
Health Information Management / Medical Records 410-740-7950 Fax: 410-740-7543.
Release of Medical Record Information 410-740-7953 Use for record-copy release questions.
Radiology Film Library 410-740-7924 Use for imaging-copy pickup questions.
Billing Services 1-855-662-3017 Bill questions and payment support.
Billing Customer Service 443-997-3370 Johns Hopkins hospital billing support.
Cost Estimates Assistance Line 844-986-1584 Use before scheduled non-emergency care when you need an estimate.
Financial Counselor 410-740-7675 Local financial counseling questions.
Labor & Delivery 410-740-7845 Fax: 410-740-7855.
Maternal & Fetal Medicine / Perinatology 410-740-7903 Fax: 410-720-8999.
Breast Health Services 410-884-4744 Fax: 410-720-8213.
Diagnostic Services 410-740-7900 Fax: 410-740-7591.
Laboratory 410-740-7850 Fax: 410-884-4903.
Patient Relations 410-720-8200 Care feedback and patient concerns.
Security / Lost and Found 410-740-7911 Security desk and lost item help.
TTY 410-740-9770 TTY access line.
Email/contact-form note: Johns Hopkins says email messages are checked Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and should not be used for urgent matters. For urgent symptoms, call the hospital or 911.

Google map, entrances, parking, and Columbia campus route

The main hospital is on Cedar Lane near Little Patuxent Parkway, Hickory Ridge Road, Howard Community College, the Mall in Columbia, and Route 32.

Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
5755 Cedar Lane
Columbia, MD 21044
Main: 410-740-7890

Use this map for the main hospital. Specialty clinics may be in Berman Pavilion, the Medical Arts Building, Columbia Medical Center, Little Patuxent Specialty Care Center, the Medical Pavilion, or Charter Professional Center.

Main hospital entrance

Use the main entrance for general hospital access, admitting, visitor check-in, information desk help, and many inpatient-related services.

Emergency entrance

Use the Emergency Department entrance for adult or pediatric emergency care. In a life-threatening situation, call 911 first.

Visitor Lot C

The campus map labels Lot C for visitors. Allow extra time for parking, walking to the correct entrance, and stopping at the Information Desk.

Free parking

Johns Hopkins lists free parking in the on-site parking lot for this hospital location. Confirm your specialty building before parking.

Which Howard County Medical Center building should you go to?

A common mistake is driving to the main hospital when the appointment is actually in a nearby specialty building. Check your appointment confirmation carefully.

Campus building Address Common services or offices
Main Medical Center 5755 Cedar Lane Emergency Department, admitting/registration, diagnostic imaging, outpatient lab, laboratory, inpatient units, Labor & Delivery, Maternal Child, NICU, ICU, psychiatry, operating rooms, cafeteria, security, chapel, wound center, and visitor check-in.
Berman Pavilion 5759 Cedar Lane Johns Hopkins Ambulatory Surgery Center check-in, Johns Hopkins Breast Center, mammography, and related outpatient services.
Medical Arts Building 11085 Little Patuxent Parkway Johns Hopkins Medicine Surgery at Howard County, general surgery, pediatric surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, thoracic surgery, vascular surgery, pulmonology, sleep medicine, infusion, and other specialty offices.
Columbia Medical Center 11055 Little Patuxent Parkway Johns Hopkins Medical Imaging, LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics, and Feldman’s Pharmacy on the lower level. The pharmacy is not operated by Howard County Medical Center or Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Little Patuxent Specialty Care Center 11065 Little Patuxent Parkway Johns Hopkins Center for Maternal and Fetal Medicine and the Claudia Mayer/Tina Broccolino Cancer Resource Center.
Medical Pavilion at Howard County 10710 Charter Drive Johns Hopkins OB/GYN, dermatology, psychiatry, rehabilitation, cardiovascular services, Wilmer Eye Institute, and other listed practices.
Charter Professional Center 10700 Charter Drive Johns Hopkins Musculoskeletal Center and rehabilitation network services.
Patient First 5900 Cedar Lane Nearby urgent-care style location shown on the campus map, separate from the hospital Emergency Department.
Appointment confirmation check: Before leaving home, match the building name, street address, suite number, parking lot, and phone number from your appointment reminder. “Howard General Hospital Columbia” searches can lead to the main campus even when the clinic is in a neighboring building.

Emergency room process and when to call 911

The Emergency Department provides adult and pediatric emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The direct ER number is 410-740-7777.

For severe symptoms, call 911. Chest pain, stroke signs, severe breathing trouble, major trauma, severe bleeding, fainting, poisoning, or sudden neurological symptoms should be treated as emergency-level conditions.
Use the Emergency Department entrance. Follow campus signs for ER Entry and ER Parking. If arriving by ambulance, emergency medical staff will route the patient directly.
Expect triage first. A triage nurse evaluates urgency. Some tests may begin before a treatment room is available, and patients are prioritized by medical condition.
Tell staff if symptoms worsen. The official ER guidance asks patients to notify the team right away if their condition gets worse while waiting.
Plan follow-up after ER care. The ER treats the emergent condition. You may be told to follow up with a primary care provider, specialist, or community service after discharge.
ER feature What it means for patients Useful note
Adult and pediatric emergency care Children and adults are evaluated through emergency-care areas on the hospital campus. Pediatric Emergency Department / Pediatric Unit: 410-884-4888.
Observation Unit Patients with certain symptoms, including possible heart-related symptoms, may be monitored near the ER. Observation Unit phone: 410-884-4840.
Psychiatric emergency support The hospital lists a separate secure psychiatric unit for patients needing emergency mental health services. Psychiatric Services phone: 410-720-8530.
Behavioral health navigators Emergency Department staff may help behavioral-health patients and families with follow-up care resources. Ask the ER team about follow-up and referral resources before discharge.
Geriatric ER recognition The Emergency Department has Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation. Older patients and caregivers should bring medication lists, baseline function, fall history, and advance-directive details.

Appointments, doctor search, registration, and admission preparation

For non-emergency care, use Johns Hopkins scheduling tools, provider profiles, or the specific department phone number rather than calling the ER.

Schedule an appointment

Open Johns Hopkins appointment request

  1. Choose whether you are a new or returning patient.
  2. Select the specialty, provider, or location if available.
  3. Have insurance, referral, and prior authorization details ready.

Find a doctor

Search Johns Hopkins doctors near Columbia

  1. Search by condition, specialty, provider name, or Columbia location.
  2. Open the provider profile to review location and contact options.
  3. Confirm whether the doctor is accepting new patients.

Use MyChart

Log in to Johns Hopkins MyChart

  1. Use MyChart for appointments, test results, messages, billing, and records.
  2. Some nonurgent MyChart messages may be billed.
  3. Use phone or emergency care for urgent symptoms.

Confirm the building

Open the campus map PDF

  1. Match the building name and street address.
  2. Check whether you need Main Entry, ER Entry, or a specialty building.
  3. Allow time for parking and visitor registration.

Bring to appointments

  • Photo ID and insurance card.
  • Referral or prior authorization if required.
  • Medication list, allergies, and medical history.
  • Outside records or imaging if requested.
  • Questions for the care team.

Admission planning

Before a hospital stay, ask about registration, what to bring, medications, discharge pickup, advance directives, care partner access, and how your regular doctors will receive updates.

Medical services and departments at the Columbia campus

Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center lists a broad service mix across the main hospital and nearby campus buildings.

Care area Services listed Patient planning note
Emergency care Adult ER, pediatric emergency care, rapid evaluation for less complex concerns, observation care, and behavioral health support. Use 911 for immediate emergencies. Use the ER desk number for non-911 department contact.
Women’s health Obstetrics, Labor & Delivery, Maternal Child Unit, NICU, maternal-fetal medicine, gynecology, breast center, mammography, and women’s wellness. Confirm whether your appointment is in the main hospital, Berman Pavilion, Little Patuxent Specialty Care Center, or Medical Pavilion.
Surgery Main operating room, ambulatory surgery center, general surgery, pediatric surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, thoracic surgery, vascular surgery, and joint academy services. Ask about check-in location, fasting instructions, medication holds, driver requirements, and discharge pickup.
Heart, stroke, and intensive care Cardiac services, cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, intensive care, special care, stroke center services, vascular studies, and respiratory care. Bring medication lists, prior tests, implanted-device details, and specialist instructions.
Cancer and infusion support Oncology unit, infusion center, breast health services, and Claudia Mayer/Tina Broccolino Cancer Resource Center. Ask where treatment, labs, imaging, and resource-center support are located before the visit.
Diagnostics and lab Diagnostic imaging, radiology, outpatient lab, laboratory, pulmonary diagnostics, EEG, vascular studies, and radiology film library. Ask whether fasting, hydration, contrast, medication holds, or prior imaging is required.
Rehabilitation and specialty care Physical rehabilitation, cardiac/pulmonary rehab, wound care, musculoskeletal center, orthopaedics, pain management, dermatology, pulmonology, sleep center, ophthalmology, urology, psychiatry, and diabetes education. Many of these services are not in the main hospital lobby; check the exact building.

Visiting hours, visitor pass, privacy, and safety rules

Visitor access supports recovery, but hospital units can add extra limits based on patient safety, infection control, or clinical care needs.

General visiting hours 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily

Check the current Johns Hopkins Care Partner and Visitor Policy before visiting because unit-level restrictions can change.

Visitor check-in Information Desk

Visitors should stop at the Information Desk when entering the hospital lobby to receive a visitor pass and directions.

Tobacco policy Tobacco-free campus

Johns Hopkins hospitals are tobacco-free for the health and safety of patients, staff, and visitors.

Photo and video Consent required

Do not take photographs or video without patient and hospital consent because privacy laws apply in healthcare settings.

Visitor checklist: Bring a photo ID, wash or sanitize hands when entering patient areas, avoid visiting when sick, follow mask or isolation instructions, and ask the unit before bringing flowers, food, balloons, or large groups.

MyChart, test results, messages, bills, and patient access

Johns Hopkins MyChart is the main online portal for many patient tasks, but it should not be used for urgent emergency symptoms.

Appointments
Use MyChart to schedule or review certain appointments when available. For specialty care, the provider’s office may still need to confirm location and instructions.
Test reports
Patients can view test reports and other medical-care information through the secure portal.
Messaging
Use MyChart messages for nonurgent care-team communication. Johns Hopkins notes that some nonurgent messages may be billed.
Bills
Hospital and professional physician charges may appear on a single statement when applicable. MyChart can be used for online bill payment.
Records download
Use the Sharing Hub to request a copy of your health record, then use Document Center to download the file when the request is processed.
Do not use MyChart for emergencies: If symptoms are severe, sudden, or worsening, call 911 or use emergency care instead of waiting for a portal reply.

Medical records, radiology images, birth registry, and record fees

Patients or legal representatives can request records. Exact requirements depend on the type of record and where it is being sent.

Record need Contact or route Important detail
Health Information Management Phone: 410-740-7950 · Fax: 410-740-7543 Office is listed as open to the public Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., except holidays.
Release of Medical Record Information Phone: 410-740-7953 · Fax: 410-740-7543 Use for questions about releasing records to yourself, another provider, or an authorized third party.
Mail a records request Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center, Health Information Management, 5755 Cedar Lane, Columbia, MD 21044 Include the correct authorization form, dates of service, and destination details.
Radiology films or imaging copies Radiology Film Library: 410-740-7924 Be ready with name, date of birth, exam type, date range, and pickup timing. ID is required at pickup.
Provider-to-provider transfer Ask if records can be sent directly to your physician or another healthcare facility. Johns Hopkins notes that records released directly to a private physician or healthcare facility for care have no copy charge.
Personal or third-party copy Submit the official records request. A fee may apply, including electronic and paper/microfilm charges depending on the request.
Birth registry Phone: 410-740-7597 Use for birth-registry questions connected to a hospital birth.
Psychiatric record note: If the record request involves psychiatric care, Johns Hopkins says review by the psychiatrist or designee may be required before release.

Billing, insurance, price transparency, and cost estimates

Hospital bills can include facility charges and professional physician charges. Some outside private-practice physicians may bill separately.

Pay online

Johns Hopkins says patients can pay bills online through MyChart. Use your statement, account number, or portal account for the smoothest route.

Pay by phone

For bill questions or information changes, call 1-855-662-3017 and select option 1.

Billing support

Billing customer service for Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center is listed at 443-997-3370 or toll-free 1-855-662-3017.

Cost estimates

For planned care, call the Cost Estimates Assistance Line at 844-986-1584. Emergency care should not be delayed for a price quote.

Billing topic What to know Patient action
Insurance coverage Coverage depends on your plan, network, authorization, and the exact physician or facility service. Call your insurer before scheduled care and ask about Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center and the specific provider.
Separate bills Some physician, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, cardiology, emergency physician, or specialist fees may appear separately. Review each statement before paying and match it to your explanation of benefits.
Price transparency The standard charge file for Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center is published through Johns Hopkins billing resources. Use the price-transparency file for comparison, then call for a patient-specific estimate.
Financial assistance Financial assistance and payment plans may be available through Johns Hopkins billing resources. Ask billing support or the financial counselor what documents are required.
Billing records Patients or representatives can request billing records through Johns Hopkins billing channels. Have patient name, account number, date of service, and authorization ready.

Dining, pharmacy, gift shop, Wi-Fi, chapel, and patient amenities

These practical details help patients and visitors plan a hospital stay, long appointment day, surgery wait, or family visit.

Amenity Location or detail Useful note
Free Wi-Fi Hospital-wide guest network: JHGuestnet. Guest Wi-Fi is separate from the hospital’s secure internal network.
ATM Main lobby. Useful for parking, meals, or incidental expenses, though many payments can be handled digitally.
Cafeteria Basement level of the hospital. Listed meal periods include breakfast 7–10 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.–3 p.m., and dinner 3–7 p.m.; confirm current hours on arrival.
Starbucks Main lobby. Listed Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–8 p.m.; ordering may be available through the Starbucks app during posted hours.
Gift shop Right Touch Gift Shop, first floor. Call 410-740-7985 for current availability and hours.
Pharmacy Feldman’s Pharmacy is on the lower level of Columbia Medical Center, 11055 Little Patuxent Parkway. Johns Hopkins notes this pharmacy is not operated by Howard County Medical Center or Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Chaplaincy Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy phone: 410-740-7898. Patients and families can also ask care-team members for chaplain support.
Language services Interpretation is available for spoken languages and American Sign Language. Ask the care team to arrange interpretation for medical discussions.

Accessibility, wheelchair help, service animals, and nondiscrimination

Ask early if the patient or visitor needs mobility support, language help, ASL interpretation, accessible communication, or service-animal guidance.

Wheelchair or special assistance

When you arrive, tell the Information Desk representative if you or someone with you needs a wheelchair or other special assistance.

Language and ASL support

Interpretation support may be provided in person, over the phone, or by video remote interpretation, including American Sign Language.

Service animals

Johns Hopkins welcomes trained service animals in many patient-care areas, but the animal must be healthy, clean, housebroken, under control, and well behaved.

Clinical restrictions

Service animals may be restricted from certain areas such as operating or procedure rooms, burn units, and MRI areas when patient safety requires it.

Emotional support animal note: Emotional support, therapy, comfort, and companion animals are not automatically considered service animals under the ADA unless trained to perform a task directly related to a disability.

Official source checklist used for this Columbia guide

This section helps users verify the hospital’s current name, phone numbers, campus layout, ER process, records route, visitor rules, MyChart, and billing information directly with Johns Hopkins.

Official page or PDF What it helps verify When to open it
Hospital location page Address, main phone, 24-hour access, parking note, visitor check-in, MyChart link, and campus overview. Open before driving to the hospital or confirming the official name.
Howard County contact directory Department phone numbers, fax numbers, medical records, ER desk, billing, admitting, maternity, laboratory, and security contacts. Open before calling a department directly.
Emergency Room page 24/7 ER staffing, triage process, pediatric emergency care, observation unit, psychiatric unit, behavioral health navigators, and ER phone. Open when deciding whether to use ER care or understanding what happens after arrival.
Campus map PDF Building numbers, campus streets, ER entrance, main entrance, visitor lot, Berman Pavilion, Medical Arts Building, and specialty buildings. Open before an appointment, surgery check-in, imaging visit, or specialty clinic visit.
Floor maps PDF First floor, inpatient floors, ICU, NICU, Labor & Delivery, ER Pediatrics, ER Adult, cafeteria, chapel, imaging, outpatient lab, and surgery waiting areas. Open when locating a patient unit or department inside the hospital.
Visiting a Patient Howard County visiting hours, hand hygiene, photo/video restrictions, and tobacco-free campus guidance. Open before visiting an inpatient or bringing multiple visitors.
MyChart information Portal use for appointments, test reports, bill payment, messages, and health-record download steps. Open for portal setup, bill pay, records download, and nonurgent care-team communication.
Medical records page HIM address, fax, release-of-information phone, radiology film library, public office hours, and record-copy fee notes. Open before requesting records, imaging, or corrections to the medical record.
Pay Your Bill MyChart bill pay, phone payment route, single billing statement note, separate billing possibility, and financial-assistance links. Open before paying or disputing a hospital bill.
Name-change announcement Howard County General Hospital changed its name to Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center in 2023. Open when older records, transit references, or map listings still use the former name.
Independent guide notice: USHospitalGuides.com is not Johns Hopkins Medicine, not Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center, not an emergency service, and not a government agency. Use official hospital links or phone numbers for final medical, billing, records, and visitor decisions.

Important medical and emergency notice

This guide is for contact, location, visitor, portal, billing, and records navigation. It is not medical advice and does not replace a licensed clinician’s judgment.

Do not delay emergency care. Call 911 for severe or sudden symptoms, including chest pain, stroke signs, severe breathing trouble, major injury, severe bleeding, overdose, poisoning, seizures, or loss of consciousness.

Howard General Hospital Columbia FAQs

These questions focus on the current name, address, phone numbers, emergency room, parking, visitor rules, MyChart, records, billing, and patient preparation.

1. What is Howard General Hospital Columbia called now?
Howard General Hospital Columbia usually refers to the hospital now officially named Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center. It was formerly known as Howard County General Hospital.
2. What is the address for Howard General Hospital in Columbia, Maryland?
The main hospital address is 5755 Cedar Lane, Columbia, MD 21044. Specialty appointments may be in nearby campus buildings, so check your appointment confirmation before driving.
3. What is the main phone number?
The main general information number is 410-740-7890. Use it for hospital routing, patient information, and general questions.
4. What is the Emergency Department phone number?
The direct Emergency Department number is 410-740-7777. For immediate medical emergencies, call 911 instead of relying on a direct desk number.
5. Is the emergency room open 24 hours?
Yes. Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center’s Emergency Department is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with adult and pediatric emergency care.
6. Is parking free at the Columbia hospital campus?
Johns Hopkins lists free parking in the on-site parking lot for Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center. The campus map labels visitor and emergency parking areas, including Visitor Lot C and ER Parking.
7. What are the visiting hours?
General visiting hours for Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center are listed as 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Unit-level rules can change, so review the current visitor policy before visiting.
8. How do I get medical records from Howard County Medical Center?
Contact Health Information Management at 410-740-7950 or fax requests to 410-740-7543. Release of Medical Record Information can be reached at 410-740-7953.
9. Can I pay my Johns Hopkins Howard County bill online?
Yes. Johns Hopkins says patients can pay bills online through MyChart. For bill questions or information changes, call 1-855-662-3017 and select option 1.
10. What should I bring for an appointment or hospital visit?
Bring photo ID, insurance card, referral or prior authorization if required, medication list, allergies, appointment confirmation, outside records or imaging if requested, and a payment method for known copays or patient responsibility.