Carolyn Hammett, MD in Baltimore: Internal Medicine with Direct-Pay Options for Primary Care

Dr. Carolyn Hammett runs a general internal medicine practice in Baltimore that accepts both traditional insurance and operates on a direct-pay (membership-based) model, an uncommon dual structure in the city's primary care landscape. This setup means new patients can choose between the standard insurance route and a flat monthly or annual fee that covers unlimited office visits, reducing or eliminating copays for those who prefer predictability.

What this practice actually is

Carolyn Hammett, MD provides general internal medicine and primary care to adults, offering both acute and chronic disease management. The practice operates independently, not as part of a large hospital system, which shapes its scheduling flexibility and referral pathways differently than hospital-affiliated urgent-care chains or the managed-care wings of Johns Hopkins or University of Maryland Medical System. Dr. Hammett sees new patients regularly, though lead times vary seasonally.

Services and pricing structure

The practice offers:

  • New-patient and established-patient office visits (acute and preventive)
  • Chronic disease management (hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, thyroid disease)
  • Preventive screenings and physical exams
  • Minor in-office procedures and wound care
  • Referral coordination with local specialists

Pricing varies by enrollment model:

Insurance-based: Standard copays ($25 to $50 for most visits) plus any coinsurance or deductible, depending on your plan. Most major insurers are accepted; verify coverage before scheduling.

Direct-pay membership: Typically ranges from $75 to $150 per month (or $900 to $1,800 annually), covering unlimited office visits and some basic procedures. Laboratory work and specialist referrals are billed separately. Contact the office directly to confirm current membership tiers, as pricing can shift quarterly.

For patients without consistent insurance, the direct-pay model often costs less annually than repeated copays plus referral-based care, especially if you see Dr. Hammett more than six times a year.

How this practice compares locally

Baltimore's primary care landscape is dominated by large hospital systems: Johns Hopkins Community Physicians, University of Maryland Medical Center's primary care network, and Mercy Medical Group absorb the majority of insured patient volume. Independent practices like Dr. Hammett's are less common but offer shorter appointment lead times and more flexible continuity of care.

Choose Dr. Hammett's practice if you prefer:

  • A single-provider continuity (one doctor, not a rotating clinic model)
  • Direct-pay options without switching insurance
  • Smaller wait times for non-urgent visits
  • A practice not tethered to hospital admission protocols

Choose Johns Hopkins or UM physicians if you:

  • Need same-day urgent slots within a large system
  • Want integrated on-site specialists
  • Require care through a specific employer insurance plan with negotiated rates
  • Value access to an adjacent emergency department

For walk-in acute care without a scheduled appointment, urgent-care chains like GoHealth and CareFirst Urgent Care (multiple Baltimore locations) operate extended hours and serve patients without a primary care doctor.

Who this practice suits and who it does not

Suited to:

  • Adults establishing care after moving to Baltimore or changing providers
  • Patients on stable medications who want fewer copays and predictable costs
  • Those seeking continuity with a single physician over years
  • Self-employed or uninsured individuals exploring direct-pay medicine
  • Patients managing multiple chronic conditions who benefit from scheduled follow-up slots

Not suited to:

  • Patients with zero healthcare flexibility who cannot adapt to small independent practices
  • Those needing same-visit lab result access (expect 1 to 3 business days)
  • Families requiring pediatric care (this is adult internal medicine only)
  • Patients who heavily depend on in-house urgent-care slots; even independent practices maintain defined urgent availability

What the first visit involves

New-patient visits typically last 45 to 60 minutes. Expect:

  1. Intake paperwork covering medical and family history, current medications, and insurance (if applicable)
  2. Vital signs and general physical exam
  3. Discussion of health concerns, preventive screening needs, and whether a direct-pay membership fits your needs
  4. Any necessary lab orders (urinalysis, lipid panel, blood glucose) sent to an external lab; results return within days
  5. A plan for follow-up, including any referrals to specialists

Bring photo ID, current insurance card (if you have one), a list of medications and supplements, and any recent medical records from your previous provider. If choosing direct-pay enrollment at the first visit, the membership typically begins immediately and covers that visit.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Dr. Hammett's office operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with limited same-day urgent appointment slots reserved each morning. Street parking is available near the practice; reserved lot parking is not routinely offered. Telehealth appointments are available for follow-ups and medication refills, reducing the need for in-person visits during bad weather or schedule conflicts.

Scheduling is handled by phone; online booking is not available, which slows appointment requests during busy periods. Confirmation calls are standard 24 hours before visits.

An independent primary care doctor who accepts both insurance and direct payment is a rare configuration in Baltimore, where system consolidation has narrowed such choices over the past decade. Dr. Hammett's practice fills a gap for patients who want continuity, cost transparency, and scheduling reliability without the friction of large managed-care networks.