McKenna Surgical Associates in Baltimore: General Surgery with Same-Day Appointment Availability

McKenna Surgical Associates is a private surgical practice in Baltimore offering general surgery and surgical consultation to both insured and uninsured patients, with shorter wait times than hospital-based surgical departments and a documented commitment to scheduling new consultations within one business day.

What McKenna Surgical Associates actually is

McKenna Surgical Associates operates as an independent surgical practice rather than as part of a larger hospital system. The practice handles common general surgery conditions—gallbladder removal, hernia repair, appendicitis, breast lesions, and colon polyp removal—either in their office-based setting or through relationships with local surgical facilities. The practice accepts Medicare, most commercial insurances, and self-pay patients without requiring insurance as a precondition for consultation. Their model prioritizes direct patient access without requiring a prior referral from a primary care physician, though Medicare and many insurance plans do require referral authorization before scheduling.

Services and surgical scope

McKenna Surgical Associates handles elective and urgent general surgery. Elective procedures such as planned hernia repair, gallbladder removal for chronic conditions, and diagnostic breast surgery are scheduled weeks in advance. Urgent cases—appendicitis, acute abdominal pain, infected wounds—are typically accommodated within 24 hours of phone contact. The practice does not perform trauma or emergency stabilization; those cases go to hospital emergency departments.

Pricing is transparent at the point of consultation. For new consultations, a typical self-pay cost runs $150 to $250. For insured patients, the copay varies by plan (usually $25 to $75). Surgical costs depend on procedure complexity and facility fees; a straightforward hernia repair ranges from $3,500 to $6,000 out-of-pocket for uninsured patients, while a laparoscopic gallbladder removal is typically $4,000 to $7,500. Patients should confirm current fees with the office; surgical costs adjust periodically based on supply and facility pricing.

How McKenna Surgical Associates compares to other Baltimore surgical options

Baltimore offers three main pathways for general surgery: hospital-based surgical departments (Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland Medical Center, Sinai Hospital), urgent care centers, and private surgical practices.

Hospital surgical departments excel at managing complex cases, trauma, and patients with multiple medical conditions, but first appointments typically require a referral and can take 4 to 6 weeks. If you have a referral and a complicated history, a hospital department is safer. University of Maryland Medical Center's surgical clinic, for example, averages a 3-week wait for non-urgent consultations, making it the slower but more comprehensive option for medically complex patients.

Urgent care centers (including urgent care chains across Baltimore) handle minor lacerations, abscess drainage, and acute pain evaluation, but do not manage definitive surgery. They serve patients needing assessment but not yet ready for or not yet certain they need operative care.

McKenna Surgical Associates suits patients with straightforward surgical problems who lack a referral or insurance approval yet and need a faster initial assessment. The same-day or next-business-day appointment window is the defining advantage over hospital clinics. Choose McKenna if you have an uncomplicated problem (clear gallstone disease, small hernia, breast lump) and want an answer within days rather than weeks. Choose a hospital department if your medical history is complex, if you will need the operating room of a major medical center for any reason, or if you prefer continuity with hospitalists.

Who this practice suits and who it does not suit

McKenna Surgical Associates is designed for patients with clear-cut surgical problems who value speed and directness. It suits working adults who cannot wait 4 to 6 weeks for an appointment, self-pay patients looking to avoid the hidden costs often built into hospital consultations, and people without primary care physicians who can issue referrals. It is also practical for patients who want to explore surgical options before committing to a hospital workup.

This practice is not the right fit for patients with multiple comorbidities (poorly controlled diabetes, advanced liver disease, significant cardiac history), patients requiring complex anesthesia planning, or people whose condition might need urgent imaging or blood work as part of the same visit. If you have had previous abdominal surgery and suspect adhesions, or if your symptoms suggest something beyond straightforward general surgery, a hospital surgical department is a better match.

What the first visit involves

At a first consultation, plan for 45 to 60 minutes. The process begins with a registration form covering your surgical history, current medications, and allergies. A clinical staff member collects vital signs and documents your chief complaint. The surgeon then meets with you (not a physician assistant alone), reviews your problem, performs a focused physical exam, and discusses options: conservative management, medication, or surgery. If surgery seems appropriate, the surgeon describes the procedure, typical outcomes, and risks. Most consultations conclude with either scheduling a procedure, arranging imaging if needed, or recommending watchful waiting. You will also receive an estimate of out-of-pocket cost and information about facility options.

Insurance patients should bring their insurance card and verify with McKenna's office staff that the surgeon is in-network; most commercial plans and Medicare cover consultations in-network, but coverage is plan-specific.

Hours, location, and parking

McKenna Surgical Associates operates Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in central Baltimore. Street parking is available near the office; validated lot parking is not offered. Confirm the current address with the office when you call, as surgical practices occasionally relocate; the phone number is the most reliable point of contact. Parking is easiest if you arrive early in the day.

McKenna Surgical Associates fills a specific gap in Baltimore's surgical landscape for patients who cannot wait weeks for a first opinion and do not have complex medical needs. The combination of rapid scheduling, transparent pricing, and direct access without gatekeeping makes it a practical choice for straightforward surgical questions.