Dr. Steven K. Kaufman in Baltimore: A Cardiology Practice with Board Certification and Hospital Affiliations

Steven K. Kaufman is a board-certified cardiologist serving Baltimore patients through private practice, with hospital privileges that allow him to manage inpatient and outpatient cardiac care across the region's major systems.

What the practice actually is

Kaufman's cardiology practice operates as a specialist referral-based office, not a walk-in clinic. The practice accepts new patients, typically by referral from a primary care physician, though self-referrals are often accommodated in cardiology. He manages the full spectrum of general cardiology, including evaluation of chest pain, heart failure, arrhythmias, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. His board certification through the American Board of Internal Medicine in cardiovascular disease provides formal credential backing. The practice sits within Baltimore's broader network of cardiologists, where subspecialists (interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists) are concentrated in the larger hospital systems downtown, while community-based general cardiologists like Kaufman serve neighborhood and suburban patients.

Services and typical scope

A first cardiac evaluation with Kaufman includes detailed history, physical examination, and EKG, with stress testing, echocardiography, or cardiac imaging ordered as warranted. The practice manages medication optimization for conditions like hypertension and heart failure, reviews existing cardiac test results for second opinions, and coordinates care with primary care physicians. Pricing varies by insurance; Medicare and most major Baltimore-area plans (including CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield) are typically accepted. Out-of-pocket costs for established patients follow standard Baltimore specialist copay models, usually between $40 and $75 per visit, though new-patient consultations may run higher (verify current copays with the practice directly, as insurance structures change annually). Procedures such as stress testing or advanced imaging are billed separately and are subject to deductibles.

How Kaufman compares to other Baltimore cardiologists

Baltimore's cardiology landscape divides between hospital-based programs and independent practices. The major systems—University of Maryland Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Sinai Hospital—house interventional labs and large cardiac teams, making them appropriate for acute coronary syndromes, complex valve disease, or arrhythmia ablation. Kaufman's independent practice is better suited for ongoing management of stable chronic conditions, medication adjustments, and noninvasive evaluation. For patients without a complex diagnosis requiring subspecialist intervention, community cardiologists like Kaufman typically offer shorter wait times (often scheduling new consults within 2 to 3 weeks, compared to 4 to 8 weeks for hospital-based specialists) and continuity of care in a smaller-scale setting. If your primary care doctor recommends a second opinion on a test or diagnosis, an independent practice often accommodates that more fluidly than large institutional systems.

Who this practice suits and does not suit

Kaufman's practice is well suited to Baltimore adults with stable hypertension, prior coronary disease under control, heart failure on maintenance therapy, or who need noninvasive cardiac assessment (stress test, echocardiography). It works for patients seeking a long-term relationship with a single cardiologist rather than rotating through house staff. The practice does not handle acute interventions (catheterization, stent placement) or complex arrhythmia ablation; those patients are referred to hospital-based interventional teams when necessary. Patients without insurance or with plans that do not include Kaufman in-network should confirm coverage beforehand.

What the first visit involves

Schedule your appointment through the office; walk-ins are not accommodated. Bring a current medication list, prior cardiac test results if available, and insurance information. The visit itself runs 30 to 45 minutes. Kaufman will take a thorough cardiac history, perform a physical examination, obtain an EKG in-office, and discuss findings. If additional testing is recommended, that is either booked for a follow-up visit or referred out to an imaging center (echocardiography labs are available throughout Baltimore). A report is typically sent to your referring physician within one week.

Hours, location, and parking

Confirm hours directly with the office, as cardiology practice schedules vary. Most Baltimore cardiologists operate standard business hours (typically 8 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) with limited or no weekend availability. Parking depends on the office location; independent practices often have dedicated lots, while hospital-affiliated offices may require hospital parking validation. Call ahead to confirm the specific location and parking arrangement.

Dr. Kaufman's cardiology practice fills the role that many Baltimore patients need: accessible, board-certified specialist care for chronic cardiac management without the wait times and complexity of major hospital systems.