Thomas Lee MD in Baltimore: Otolaryngology with Same-Day Urgent Visits
Thomas Lee MD operates an otolaryngology practice in Baltimore that combines routine and urgent ear, nose, and throat care with the ability to see sick patients on the same day they call. Most established ENT practices in Baltimore have 2- to 4-week waits for new patients; Lee's practice reserves slots for acute problems, which matters for anyone with sudden hearing loss, severe sinus infection, or acute vertigo who cannot wait for the next available appointment.
What the practice actually is
Thomas Lee MD is a private otolaryngology (ENT) practice in Baltimore serving adults and children. The practice handles preventive visits, hearing evaluation, management of chronic sinusitis, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, thyroid nodules, and sleep-related breathing issues. The practice does not perform in-office surgery; surgical cases are referred to Baltimore hospitals. Lee holds credentials with the University of Maryland Medical System and accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare.
Services and pricing
Standard office visits run $150 to $250 before insurance. Hearing tests (audiometry) ordered during a visit are billed separately through an affiliated audiology provider and typically cost $200 to $400 out of pocket depending on the extent of testing; confirm the fee with your insurance beforehand. New-patient visits are $225. Return visits are $175. Established patients can book follow-ups for 15 or 30 minutes; the 15-minute slot is $100 and covers focused issues like earwax removal or medication refill. Most insurance plans, including BCBS Maryland and Aetna, are accepted; call to verify yours before booking.
How it compares to other Baltimore ENT options
Baltimore has several group otolaryngology practices (Mercy Medical Center ENT and Upper Chesapeake Medical Center ENT among the largest) and independent providers. Group practices typically offer faster surgical scheduling and access to multiple doctors if your provider is booked, but rarely accommodate same-day urgent walk-ins for acute symptoms. Patients in Lee's practice report booking acute sinus infection or vertigo appointments within 4 to 8 hours of calling. Choose a large group practice if you anticipate needing surgery or want the option to see different specialists; choose Lee if you live or work in central Baltimore and value rapid access for acute problems without a higher urgent-care copay.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
This practice suits adults with chronic ear, sinus, or hearing issues who need regular monitoring and want stable continuity with one doctor. It also suits anyone who develops sudden ear pain, hearing loss, or balance problems and cannot wait for a routine appointment slot. Parents seeking pediatric ENT care will find limited appointment flexibility; Lee sees children but does not offer the same-day acute slots for pediatric patients that adult patients can access. If you need thyroid surgery or complex sinus surgery, you will be referred to a hospital surgical team, not treated in office.
What the first visit involves
New patients should expect 45 to 60 minutes. You will complete a standardized medical history form, then Lee will conduct a clinical exam using an otoscope and nasal endoscope to visualize the ears, nose, and throat. If a hearing test is indicated, you will be scheduled with the audiology partner within 1 to 2 weeks; the test takes 30 to 45 minutes. At the end of the visit, you will receive a typed note summarizing findings and any medication prescriptions; Lee sends copies to your primary care doctor. Ask during check-in whether any part of the visit requires prior authorization from your insurance; authorization typically takes 1 to 2 business days but can slow scheduling if missed.
Hours, parking, and logistics
The practice office is in central Baltimore. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Street parking is available on the surrounding blocks; the building has no dedicated lot. Walk-in same-day appointments are not available; call to request an urgent slot. Telehealth visits are offered for follow-up medication refills and minor ear or sinus questions but not for new patient evaluations or when physical exam is needed. Verification note: contact the office directly to confirm current hours, as scheduling can shift seasonally.
Thomas Lee MD fills a gap in Baltimore's urgent otolaryngology options by reserving same-day slots for acute problems. For anyone navigating sudden hearing loss or severe sinus pain, this approach eliminates the choice between waiting weeks or paying a higher urgent-care fee.
