Andrew B. Block, MD in Baltimore: Private Obstetrics and Gynecology

Dr. Andrew B. Block is a solo-practice obstetrician and gynecologist in Baltimore who provides full-spectrum women's health care, including pregnancy and delivery, gynecologic surgery, and general gynecology, from his office in the city's North Baltimore area.

What Andrew B. Block, MD actually offers

Block's practice is single-physician, meaning patients see the same provider across preventive visits, prenatal care, deliveries, and gynecologic procedures. His scope spans obstetrics (pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care), gynecologic surgery (including hysterectomy and minimally invasive procedures), and routine gynecology (annual exams, family planning, menopausal management). He delivers babies at Sinai Hospital, the Johns Hopkins Health System facility on Paca Street in West Baltimore, which serves many independent and hospital-affiliated obstetricians in the region.

A solo practice differs fundamentally from group obstetrics. Most Baltimore obstetric patients receive care from multi-physician groups or academic medical centers where coverage is shared among partners; solo practitioners ask patients to accept that another physician may attend their delivery if Block is unavailable. This is not a weakness in smaller practices but a structural reality worth understanding before enrollment, especially if provider continuity is a priority.

Services and what to expect for costs

Standard obstetric care follows a standard schedule: routine visits every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, then weekly until delivery. Prenatal ultrasounds, genetic screening, and labor management are included. Gynecologic surgery varies in scope and cost; procedures like hysterectomy or fibroid removal are typically quoted per case and depend on complexity, anesthesia, and hospital facility fees. Insurance coverage largely determines out-of-pocket cost; obstetric global fees (which bundle prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum visits) range widely depending on your plan and deductible.

Gynecology visits for annual care, contraception counseling, and minor procedures (such as IUD placement) carry standard copays and coinsurance. Many private obstetricians do not post prices because costs are insurance-dependent; call the office to confirm what your specific plan covers.

How Block compares to other Baltimore obstetrics options

Baltimore obstetrics divides roughly into three models: large group practices (such as Bon Secours Obstetrics and Gynecology, which operate across multiple locations), academic obstetrics (Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland, Sinai Hospital), and independent solo practitioners like Block. Large groups offer scheduling flexibility and built-in backup but less continuity if you prefer the same provider. Academic departments provide resident involvement and specialized perinatal care for high-risk pregnancies but less personal attention in routine cases. Solo practitioners sacrifice backup and may have narrower availability but often provide deeper individual attention.

Block's solo model suits patients who value consistency and are comfortable with the occasional coverage gap. It does not suit patients with high-risk pregnancies who need access to in-house maternal-fetal medicine specialists (available at Johns Hopkins Obstetrics or University of Maryland Medical Center's Maternal-Fetal Medicine division) or those who cannot work around a single provider's schedule. Group practices like BayCare Obstetrics (now part of Chesapeake Regional) also operate in the Baltimore area and distribute call among multiple physicians, reducing wait times and continuity concerns.

Who Block suits and who it does not

This practice is well suited to patients seeking one-on-one care for straightforward pregnancy or gynecology, those without known high-risk factors, and women comfortable with a single-physician continuity model. It is not the right fit for complicated pregnancies (gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, placental abnormality), patients who cannot tolerate coverage by an on-call partner, or those requiring same-day urgent gynecology access.

What the first visit involves

A new obstetric patient will complete a detailed health and obstetric history, blood pressure check, pelvic exam, and Pap smear if due. If pregnant, this visit also includes pregnancy dating by last menstrual period and often a dating ultrasound. New gynecology patients can expect a similar intake process tailored to their chief concern (annual exam, contraception, symptom evaluation). Allow 45 to 60 minutes for the first appointment.

Hours, location, and logistics

Block's office is located in North Baltimore. Office hours and parking availability are best confirmed by phone call, as hours may shift seasonally and appointments fill several months in advance, particularly for obstetric patients. Deliveries occur at Sinai Hospital (2401 W. Belvedere Avenue), which has on-site parking and is roughly 10 minutes from the office.

Why this practice earns its place in Baltimore

Andrew B. Block offers continuity in a field increasingly consolidated into large group and academic settings. His solo model is appropriate for healthy pregnancies and routine gynecology, and his use of Sinai Hospital positions him within a regional system that balances accessibility and capabilities.