Nondiscrimination Policy Update

Boston Medical Center Health System complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), religion, culture, physical or mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. BMCHS provides free aids and services to people with disabilities and free language services to people whose primary language is not English.

To read our full Nondiscrimination Statement, click here.

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Pediatric Comprehensive Care Program

Patient Resources

Transition Policy

The Comprehensive Care Program (CCP) at Boston Medical Center (BMC) is committed to helping our patients make a smooth transition from pediatric to adult health care. This process involves working with young adults and their families to prepare for the change from a “pediatric” to an “adult” model of care. This means that after a young adult turns 16 years old, we may ask you to attend at least two appointments every year – one for a yearly checkup and one to discuss transition needs.

For some of our families, your young adult may not have the capacity to make independent medical decisions. In this situation we and your young adult’s school will assist you with what we call the “turning 18 checklist.” This may include applying for guardianship, reapplying for adult Social Security income and for Department of Developmental Services (DDS), or applying for a state level picture ID. There are other items not listed here that we are happy to discuss with you.

For other families, we may help you switch to an adult model of care where your young adult will take full responsibility for decision making and doesn’t need guardianship. This may mean that we spend time during the visit with your teenager without the parents present. We will assist them in setting health priorities and supporting them in becoming more independent with their own healthcare decision making.

Please realize that in the United States at 18 years, young adults legally become adults. We respect that many of our young adult patients choose to continue to involve their families in healthcare decisions. Only with guardianship or the young adult’s consent will we be able to discuss any personal health information with family members after they turn 18.

We will collaborate with young adults and families about the best time to transfer to an adult primary care provider. We recommend that transfer occurs between 22-23 years of age. We will assist with this transfer process by helping to find an adult provider, sending medical records, and communicating the unique adult health needs of our patients. Please note that we will definitely miss you after your transition to a new doctor and we encourage you to be in touch if we can assist in any way after this happens. 

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