Sabiha Mohiuddin, MD in Baltimore: Direct Primary Care Without the Insurance Hassle
Sabiha Mohiuddin runs a direct primary care practice in Baltimore that eliminates the middleman between patient and physician by replacing insurance-based billing with a flat monthly membership fee. This model removes the scheduling delays, authorization requirements, and insurance coding that slow down conventional family medicine, making it suited for patients who want same-day or next-day appointments and direct phone access to their doctor.
What the practice actually is
Direct primary care (DPC) is fundamentally different from the insurance-based family medicine model. Instead of billing your insurance company per visit, you pay Mohiuddin's practice a monthly subscription. In return, you get unlimited office visits, phone consultations, and email access to the physician without copays or insurance authorizations. The practice handles acute illness, chronic disease management, preventive care, and routine health maintenance. Mohiuddin does not bill insurance for her own time but does work with your insurance on lab work, imaging, and specialist referrals when needed.
Membership fee and what it covers
Monthly membership typically ranges from $80 to $180 depending on age, with lower rates for younger patients and higher rates for those over 55. The exact current pricing should be confirmed directly with the office; DPC fees are individually set and may shift seasonally or with practice updates. Your membership covers unlimited office visits with no additional copay, phone and email consultations, simple wound care, joint injections, and preventive screenings. Visits typically run 30 to 45 minutes, roughly double the time of insurance-based appointments. Labs and imaging are ordered at the patient's cost through outside providers; Mohiuddin does not charge markup on these. You remain responsible for specialist visits, procedures, and hospitalizations, though the practice helps navigate referrals.
How direct primary care compares to conventional family medicine in Baltimore
Most Baltimore family medicine practices operate on an insurance-billable model where your appointment slots are scheduled weeks in advance and constrained by insurance authorization timelines. If you need to see your doctor for a sore throat or medication refill, you may wait 7 to 14 days. DPC practices like Mohiuddin's typically reserve same-day or next-day appointments for members. Insurance-based doctors also face the constraint of 15-minute visits; Mohiuddin's model allows longer time per patient because there is no per-visit billing pressure. The tradeoff is that you pay upfront regardless of how often you go in, so DPC makes economic sense if you see a doctor at least once or twice a year; if you rarely need care, a high-deductible health plan with an insurance-based doctor may be cheaper overall. Conventional practices in Baltimore like those in the Mercy Medical Center or University of Maryland Medical System family medicine departments accept all major insurances and serve as referral hubs, whereas Mohiuddin's practice is independent and does not generate the institutional care pipeline that integrated health systems provide.
Who this practice suits and who it does not
DPC works best for patients with chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension who benefit from frequent access and longer visit times, self-employed or uninsured individuals who want direct control over their care budget, and anyone frustrated by insurance authorization delays. It also suits parents who want same-day sick visits and families managing multiple health issues. It is less suitable for patients with high-cost specialist needs or frequent hospitalizations, since the membership fee does not reduce costs for in-network specialists or emergency care. Patients with employer-sponsored insurance who have low out-of-pocket costs should calculate whether DPC membership adds financial value; for someone already paying a low copay through an employer plan, conventional insurance-based medicine may remain cheaper overall.
What a first visit involves
New patients start with a comprehensive intake appointment lasting 60 to 90 minutes. Mohiuddin obtains a full medical history, current medications, family history, and lifestyle factors, and performs a thorough physical exam. Blood work and vital statistics are established. This extended time distinguishes DPC from the standard 20-minute intake at an insurance-based practice. Bring insurance cards if you have coverage, a list of current medications, and details of any recent care from other providers. The practice will then schedule your membership start date and confirm the monthly billing method (typically automatic bank draft or credit card).
Hours, location, and logistics
Confirmation of specific office hours and parking availability is recommended; call the practice directly for current schedules. DPC practices generally offer extended hours (evening or weekend slots) to accommodate working patients, though the exact availability varies week to week based on Mohiuddin's schedule. The practice is located in Baltimore; exact address should be obtained from the office or verified online.
Mohiuddin's DPC model addresses the access and time constraints that frustrate patients in conventional Baltimore practices, making it valuable for anyone who prioritizes availability and longer appointments over insurance-coordinated specialty networks.
