Raymond H. Plack, MD, in Baltimore: Adult Cardiology with Hospital Affiliation

Raymond H. Plack is a board-certified adult cardiologist practicing in Baltimore, with appointment availability for new and established patients seeking comprehensive cardiac evaluation and management. His practice operates within a hospital-affiliated structure, positioning him as a primary-care specialist for conditions including coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and hypertension.

What this practice actually is

Plack practices adult cardiology at a private office-based setting tied to one of Baltimore's hospital systems. Unlike interventional cardiologists who perform catheterizations or electrophysiologists who specialize in arrhythmia procedures, Plack's scope is diagnostic and medical management: he evaluates patients with known or suspected heart disease, reads and interprets testing results (EKGs, echocardiograms, stress tests), and adjusts medications. Patients typically arrive by referral from a primary-care physician, though in Baltimore many cardiologists also accept direct self-referrals.

Services and what to expect at appointment

Plack's practice provides office consultations, diagnostic interpretation, and ongoing medication management. New-patient visits typically run 30 to 45 minutes and include a detailed history, physical examination, and often an EKG performed on-site. The practice orders further testing (echocardiography, stress testing, cardiac catheterization when warranted) through affiliated imaging or procedural centers; these are not performed in the office. Follow-up appointments are usually 15 to 20 minutes.

Specific pricing should be confirmed directly with the practice office, as cardiologist consultation fees in the Baltimore area range from $200 to $400 out-of-pocket for uninsured patients, and insurance copays or coinsurance apply for covered patients. Testing costs vary widely based on the complexity and the facility used.

Insurance and referral requirements

Plack participates in major insurance networks serving Baltimore. A referral from a primary-care provider may or may not be required, depending on your plan; many Maryland insurers allow self-referral to cardiology. Verify your specific coverage and referral requirement before scheduling.

How this compares to other Baltimore cardiologists

Baltimore has multiple board-certified cardiologists in private practice, hospital-employed settings, and academic centers affiliated with Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland Medical Center, and Sinai Hospital. Plack's practice represents the standard adult cardiology model: office-based, hospital-affiliated for procedures, and accepting established insurance. For patients needing interventional cardiology (stent placement, balloon angioplasty), coronary imaging, or arrhythmia procedures, a referral to a proceduralist or specialized center is required. Academic centers like Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland offer integrated cardiology programs with more on-site procedural capacity and research involvement; they typically involve longer wait times for initial appointments. Private independent cardiologists in Baltimore vary widely in hospital affiliation and subspecialty focus; some practices are satellite offices of larger groups, others remain single-provider operations. Plack's affiliation with a Baltimore hospital system means procedural backup and continuity if urgent interventional care becomes necessary.

Who this suits and who it does not

Plack suits patients with established or suspected coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypertension, or arrhythmias who need ongoing medical management and diagnostic clarity. He is appropriate for post-event follow-up (after myocardial infarction or intervention) and preventive cardiology in high-risk patients. He does not perform procedures; patients requiring catheterization, ablation, or device implantation will need referral to an interventional cardiologist or electrophysiologist. He is not a pediatric cardiologist.

First-visit process

Call the office to confirm insurance acceptance and referral requirements. If a referral is needed, request your primary-care physician to send it; many offices will hold an appointment for 2 to 3 weeks while the referral is being received. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early with insurance card and photo ID. Bring a list of current medications, doses, and timing. The initial visit focuses on symptom history, prior test results, and family history of cardiac disease. An EKG is almost always performed at the first visit. Results and a plan for further testing or medication adjustment are discussed before you leave; not all results (such as echocardiography or stress testing) are available the same day.

Hours, parking, and location details

Specific hours and parking information should be confirmed directly with the practice office, as office-based cardiology practices in Baltimore typically maintain hours between 8 AM and 5 PM Monday through Friday, with evening or weekend availability varying. Hospital-affiliated practices often have parking available on-site or nearby; confirm before your first visit to avoid delays. The practice location within Baltimore should be verified when scheduling.

Plack's practice represents the backbone of cardiac care in Baltimore: accessible office-based evaluation and management supported by hospital resources for patients who need further investigation or procedural intervention.