Michael M. Massumi, MD in Baltimore: Interventional Pain Management in Federal Hill

Dr. Massumi operates a focused interventional pain practice in Federal Hill, concentrating on spine-related and neuropathic pain conditions managed primarily through image-guided injections and minimally invasive techniques rather than medication escalation or surgery.

What Dr. Massumi's practice actually is

This is an interventional pain management practice, not a primary-care clinic or a medication-based pain service. The distinction matters: interventional pain physicians perform procedures such as epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency ablation under real-time ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance, aiming to interrupt pain signals or reduce inflammation in specific anatomical targets. Dr. Massumi works with patients whose pain stems from degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, facet arthropathy, radiculopathy, and peripheral nerve entrapments. These cases typically arrive by referral from primary-care physicians, orthopedic surgeons, or neurologists, though self-referral is possible in Maryland.

The practice operates independently, distinct from hospital systems, which means scheduling can be more flexible but does not include inpatient surgical backup on-site.

Services and typical cost structure

Interventional pain practices charge for consultation, imaging interpretation, and procedures. A new-patient evaluation typically runs $300 to $500 depending on complexity; this is not always covered by insurance at the full contracted rate, so verification of your specific plan's coverage is essential before your first visit. Procedures such as an epidural steroid injection or facet joint injection generally cost $1,500 to $3,000 per site when priced out-of-pocket, though insured patients pay only their copay or coinsurance after deductibles are met. Radiofrequency ablation, a more involved procedure that uses heat to disable pain-transmitting nerves, runs $2,500 to $4,500 depending on the number of nerves treated and imaging requirements. Most major insurance carriers, including Medicare, cover these interventions when medically necessary, but coverage thresholds and prior-authorization requirements vary.

Because cost and coverage variability is genuine, contact the office to verify your plan's specific allowances before committing to a procedure.

How interventional pain management in Baltimore compares

Baltimore has a mix of pain-management approaches. University of Maryland Medical Center's pain division offers comprehensive pain services including interventional procedures alongside medication management and behavioral health, with the advantage of hospital affiliation and complex-case backup; however, appointment lead times often exceed six weeks. Mercy Medical Center also maintains an interventional pain program integrated with orthopedic surgery, suitable if you anticipate potential surgical consultation. Dr. Massumi's independent setting trades institutional infrastructure for potentially shorter wait times and more direct physician contact without system-driven volume constraints.

Choose a hospital-affiliated program if you have multiple pain generators requiring coordination across specialties (orthopedics, neurosurgery, physical medicine). Choose an independent practice like Dr. Massumi's if your pain is localized, well-defined, and you want focused procedural treatment without navigating a larger system's scheduling delays.

Who this practice suits and who it does not

Dr. Massumi's practice suits patients with mechanical or neuropathic spinal pain who have failed conservative therapy (physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications) and are not surgical candidates or candidates who wish to avoid surgery. It also works well for patients with specific, treatable anatomical targets (a herniated disc pressing on a nerve root, facet joints causing referred pain) where image-guided injection can provide meaningful relief. Patients with unclear diagnoses, primary mood or central sensitization disorders driving pain, or systemic conditions like fibromyalgia requiring medication adjustment are better served by a comprehensive pain program that includes behavioral health and medical optimization.

What a first visit involves

A new-patient appointment begins with an intake reviewing medical history, imaging (MRI or CT if available), prior treatments, and current medications. Dr. Massumi will perform a focused physical and neurological exam to confirm anatomical correlation between symptoms and suspected pain generators. If the clinical picture supports intervention, an imaging study may be ordered if recent imaging is unavailable. The consultation itself does not include a procedure; procedures are typically scheduled as separate appointments once diagnosis and patient consent are confirmed, allowing time for insurance pre-authorization and patient preparation (typically 24 hours of rest after injection). Plan for the initial visit to take 45 minutes to an hour.

Hours, location, and parking

The practice is located in Federal Hill, though the exact street address requires confirmation directly with the office. Office hours are generally Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with limited or no weekend availability; call to confirm current hours, as physician schedules occasionally shift. Parking on Federal Hill varies by block; street parking is available but competitive during business hours, and some patients find lot parking nearby more reliable. Procedures may require a companion driver due to sedation protocols, so plan transportation accordingly.

Dr. Massumi's approach fills a gap for Baltimore patients seeking needle-based pain relief without systemic medication burden or surgical risk, particularly those with well-localized spinal pathology.