Craig Caren, MD in Baltimore: OB/GYN with Direct-Pay and Medicaid Options

Craig Caren, MD operates a gynecology and obstetrics practice in Canton that accepts both commercial insurance and Medicaid, a combination that narrows the gap between specialty obstetric care and coverage that works for Baltimore residents across income levels.

What the practice is

The office serves pregnant patients, gynecologic patients requiring routine and complex care, and infertile couples. Caren is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and trained in high-risk obstetrics. The practice operates as a private office and accepts established and new patients. Unlike hospital-based OB departments, an independent practice allows Caren to schedule longer appointments and manage many complications without automatic hospital escalation, though he maintains admitting privileges at local facilities.

Services and what they cost

The practice handles obstetric care across the pregnancy spectrum: routine prenatal exams, ultrasounds, labor and delivery management, and postpartum care. Gynecologic services include contraception management, menopausal hormone therapy, hysterectomy and myomectomy surgery, and in-office procedures such as IUD insertion and cervical lesion removal.

Pricing depends on insurance status. Patients with commercial plans pay insurance-negotiated copays and coinsurance; Medicaid patients pay only what Medicaid covers, typically zero out-of-pocket at the point of care. Patients without insurance can ask about cash-pay rates, which vary by service and should be confirmed directly. Obstetric packages for uninsured patients exist but are not posted publicly; call the office for a quote.

How Caren compares to other Baltimore OB/GYNs

The Baltimore OB/GYN landscape splits between hospital-based clinics (affiliated with University of Maryland Medical Center, Johns Hopkins, and Mercy Medical Center) and independent practices. Hospital clinics are free or low-cost for uninsured and Medicaid patients, but appointment lead times often run 4 to 8 weeks. Private practices including Caren's typically offer shorter waits but may limit Medicaid. Caren's acceptance of Medicaid distinguishes him from many private practitioners in the region. For patients with commercial insurance, appointment availability and length of visit often favor private practices; for patients on Medicaid, the tradeoff is less clear, since hospital clinics have dedicated Medicaid funding and longer hours. Patients seeking a single provider throughout pregnancy and delivery benefit from private practice; those in financial crisis may find hospital financial counselors more robust.

Who it suits and who it does not

Caren suits pregnant patients with stable Medicaid or commercial coverage who want continuity of care and can reach Canton during business hours. His high-risk obstetric training serves patients with prior pregnancy loss, maternal age over 40, or chronic illness. Patients seeking a female OB/GYN should clarify that Caren is male; the office should be asked if advanced-practice providers or midwives are available. The practice may not suit patients unable to attend office visits in person or those whose pregnancies are so complex that they require maternal-fetal medicine subspecialty consultation at every visit. Caren likely refers such patients to university centers but retains co-management.

What the first visit involves

New patients should arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to complete registration and insurance verification. The first prenatal visit runs 30 to 45 minutes and includes a medical history, blood pressure check, weight, and a pelvic exam. Labs are drawn for blood type, Rh status, complete blood count, and sexually transmitted infection screening; urinalysis is performed in the office. An ultrasound is performed to confirm dates and rule out multiple pregnancy or early complications. First gynecology visits for non-pregnant patients follow a shorter timeline: 15 to 20 minutes for history, exam, and counseling.

Hours, parking, and how to reach the office

The office is located in Canton, a neighborhood just southeast of downtown Baltimore with street parking and small public lots. Hours are typically Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, with limited Saturday hours; confirmation is essential before scheduling. The office phone number and appointment portal should be verified on the practice website or through your insurance provider's directory. Medicaid patients should confirm coverage and copay status 48 hours before the visit.

Caren's practice fills a specific gap: private obstetric care that does not exclude Medicaid, with appointment availability and visit length that meet expectations for both routine and complicated pregnancies in Baltimore.