Thorough service from start to finish. Dear staff, your quality and timely care is much appreciated! All the services were quick and efficient.
About Cambridge VA Outpatient Clinic
Based in Cambridge, Maryland, the Cambridge VA Outpatient Clinic offers military members, veterans and their families a range of healthcare services, including support for mental health issues and substance misuse. They accept Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and private insurance plans.
You can call to schedule an appointment and these can often be scheduled within relatively short wait times. As with all VA health care facilities, this center also offers same day help. You might even qualify for it without enrolling in VA health care. Same day appointments are available for urgent issues, as well as telehealth visits, virtual appointments, and walk in express care.
Individuals can get help here for a range of mental and behavioral health issues, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, self-harming behaviors and addiction. Multidisciplinary care here involves a variety of treatment programs, like inpatient/residential and intensive outpatient (IOP) as well as and standard outpatient. These all feature consultation and assessments ahead of treatment.
Some of the things that stand out about this clinic include shuttle services that are available to help veterans get to their appointments as well as the patient advocates that can help you resolve any issues that you have with your care. If you’re new to the VA you can also access new patient orientation that helps you understand what to expect.
Feedback from former clients is mostly positive. Many describe the staff here as kind, helpful, and thorough. Several praise the convenience and flexibility of the appointment systems, as well as the speed and efficiency of their services.
Latest Reviews
My husband (a veteran) went to the ER this morning. Come to find out, he has to get his gallbladder removed! When we got home he went straight to sleep and I went ahead and was trying to get everything set up for him (surgery, consult appointment, etc). I had so much trouble and unhelpful people on the phone through the general VA line. On a whim, I came into this clinic needing help on a situation regarding his surgery. I was met with a very, very nice lady named Miesha. She went above and beyond to help me. She gave me tips and advice on what to do next time this would happen (my husband hasn t been to the ER under VA insurance until today). She went out of her way to show me things that she didn t need to, and even provided me a Manila envelope and a binder clip for all my documents! From there, Kim (a nurse) took over and also went above and beyond to help me! I let her know how much pain my husband was in and got the head nurse to help! While waiting, she was so nice to converse with and I enjoyed getting to know her. Christine was amazing in ensuring we would get into a surgery consult ASAP. She s very kind and straight to the point! She was very eager to help me. I am not a veteran myself, so the fact that I spent at least an hour there getting information from everyone and they didn t make a DIME off of me is something that s unheard of nowadays. Thank you Miesha, Kim, and Christine for helping me! I wish I could have you all as MY primary care. ( :
Response from the owner1 week ago
Mrs. Arscott, Thank you for your five star rating of the Cambridge VA Outpatient Clinic and your positive comments about three of the staff members that assisted you during your recent visit. We strive to provide the best care possible to Maryland's Veterans in the most courteous and efficient manner. I will share your positive comments with each of the staff members. Thank you!! Sincerely, VA Maryland Health Care System
This is insanity at best, the main appointment number can't schedule lab appointments at the Cambridge VA, so they send you to their number and you go in a vicious circle. Why isn't one of the options on the Cambridge VA the lab office, since that is about the only way to get an appointment, but good luck talking to a human or not getting disconnected.
Response from the owner3 years ago
Ms. Callaway, I apologize that you have had a difficult time scheduling a lab appointment at the Cambridge VA Outpatient Clinic. Our goal is to provide outstanding customer service to every veteran patient we serve. I am going to have one of our Patient Advocates contact you to assist you in scheduling your lab appointment. For future reference, you can call (410) 605-7777 to schedule a lab appointment. Thank you for sharing your concerns so we can reach out to address them directly with you, and thank you for your service. VA Maryland Health Care System
First time I ve gone to the VA here in Maryland since I transferred from Delaware. The staff was very kind, helpful, and thorough start to finish. I didn t have an appointment and they made sure to get me in regardless so my treatment wouldn t be delayed even further. Never have I ever had an experience like this at the VA. Thank you so very much! Your quality and timely care is much appreciated!
Response from the owner4 years ago
Ms. Howard, Thank you for your recent five star rating of the Cambridge VA Outpatient Clinic. We strive to provide the best care possible to Maryland's Veterans in the most courteous and efficient manner. Thank you for your service and for allowing us to serve your health care needs. Sincerely, VA Maryland Health Care System 
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9.2 / 10
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Other Forms of Payment
Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.
Sliding scale payments are based on a client's income and family size. The goal is to make treatment affordable to everyone. By taking these factors into account, addiction recovery care providers help ensure that your treatment does not become a financial burden to you or your family, eliminating one barrier to care.
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Outpatient Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.
Aftercare Support Completing a drug or alcohol rehab program shouldn't spell the end of substance abuse treatment. Aftercare involves making a sustainable plan for recovery, including ongoing support. This can include sober living arrangements like halfway houses, career counseling, and setting a patient up with community programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Treatments
Mental health rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and more. Mental health professionals at these facilities are trained to understand and treat mental health issues, both in individual and group settings.
Programs
Adult Program
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
LGBTQ Program
Recovery is most successful when clients feel accepted and validated by their peers and treatment providers. Facilities that offer LGBTQ-inclusive programming are committed to creating a safe space where everyone can grow and recover without fear of judgment or discrimination. They will have dedicated policies in place to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters free expression.
Military Program
Serving in the military is both mentally and physically challenging, and can result in trauma that persists even after combat ends. Military programs are tailored to the specific and often complex needs of active duty personnel, veterans, and military families. Clients often access these programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Young Adult Program
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
Clinical Services
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.
Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.
Eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and dysfunctional eating patterns. Many psychologists and other mental health professionals consider eating disorders to be food addictions, meaning food is being used in an addictive way (similar to drug or alcohol addiction). Certain substance abuse treatment programs will have treatment for eating disorders as one of the services offered. An eating disorder may also present as a co-occuring disorder or dual diagnosis alongside drug and alcohol addiction.
Experiential therapy is a form of therapy in which clients are encouraged to surface and work through subconscious issues by engaging in real-time experiences. Experiential therapy departs from traditional talk therapy by involving the body, and having clients engage in activities, movements, and physical and emotional expression. This can involve role-play or using props (which can include other people). Experiential therapy can help people process trauma, memories, and emotion quickly, deeply, and in a lasting fashion, leading to substantial and impactful healing.
Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.
Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is a way of getting nicotine into the bloodstream without smoking. It uses products that supply low doses of nicotine to help people stop smoking. The goal of therapy is to cut down on cravings for nicotine and ease the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
Nutrition therapy, aka medical nutrition therapy (MNT), is a way of treating physical, emotional, and medical conditions through diet. Specific dietary plans are designed by professional nutritionists or registered dietitians, and patients follow them in order to positively affect their physical and mental health.
Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.
Amenities
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Private Transportation
Accreditations
The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.
Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes
Accreditation Number: 254126
Contact Information
(410) 228-6243 
830 Chesapeake Drive
Cambridge, MD 21613
Get Help Now - 443-376-8434
Who Answers?
Who Answers?
Fact checked and written by:
Lauren Thompson
Edited by:
Anna Spooner
