Iradj Mahdavi, MD in Baltimore: A General Pediatrician with Hospital Affiliation and Extended Hours

Iradj Mahdavi, MD is a general pediatrician practicing in Baltimore who provides primary care for children from infancy through adolescence, including preventive visits, acute illness management, and routine immunizations. His practice maintains hospital affiliation and operates with weekday evening availability, addressing a common scheduling constraint for working parents in the city.

What the practice actually is

Mahdavi works as a board-certified general pediatrician, meaning his scope covers the full range of well-child and sick-child care rather than subspecialty areas like cardiology or nephrology. He accepts new patients and maintains admitting privileges, which simplifies referral pathways and continuity if a child requires hospitalization. The practice is not a pediatric urgent care or after-hours clinic; it is appointment-based primary care, with scheduled visits for preventive exams, vaccines, and management of conditions like ear infections, strep throat, and asthma.

Services and insurance

A well-child preventive visit (the annual exam plus developmental screening) typically costs between $150 and $250 out of pocket for uninsured families in Baltimore, though actual charges depend on the practice's fee schedule and insurance negotiated rates. Sick visits (for acute conditions) generally run $100 to $175. Mahdavi accepts most major insurance plans including Medicaid, though verification of in-network status and specific plan coverage is necessary before scheduling. Families without insurance should call ahead to discuss payment options; many pediatric practices in Baltimore offer sliding-scale fees or payment plans for uninsured patients, but rates and policies vary by provider.

Immunizations are billed separately from the visit fee and are typically covered in full by insurance or by the federal Vaccines for Children program for eligible patients. The practice handles standard childhood vaccines (MMR, polio, DTaP, varicella, and others) as part of the preventive care model.

How this practice compares locally

Baltimore has several pediatric options across different care models. Major health systems like Johns Hopkins Medicine and University of Maryland Medical Center operate pediatric clinics with multiple providers and shorter wait times for new patients (often 2 to 4 weeks); however, these clinics are larger and may rotate providers, which reduces continuity. Private practices like Mahdavi's typically allow longer individual provider relationships. Urgent care facilities (such as Mercy Medical Center's urgent care or independent urgent care centers scattered throughout Baltimore) handle acute issues like fevers and coughs without an appointment, but they do not provide preventive care or long-term management. Choose a hospital-affiliated general pediatrician like Mahdavi if continuity with one provider and admitting privileges matter for your family; choose an urgent care for after-hours acute issues; choose a large health system clinic if scheduling flexibility and shorter waits are highest priorities.

Who this practice suits and does not suit

Mahdavi's practice is well-suited to families seeking a consistent primary care relationship, those with insurance that covers visits in-network, and families with relatively standard pediatric needs (ear infections, cold management, vaccines, asthma). It is less suitable for families needing same-day acute care (use urgent care instead), those requiring specialized pediatric care (cardiology, orthopedics, or behavioral health), or families whose schedule demands rigid same-day or Saturday appointments. Evening availability does help families with work constraints, but confirmation of specific hours is essential because practices adjust schedules seasonally.

What the first visit involves

New-patient visits typically last 30 to 45 minutes and include a full health history, birth records review, developmental screening, physical exam, and discussion of immunization status and schedules. Bring insurance cards, a photo ID, and any records from a previous pediatrician. At the first visit, the provider will establish baseline growth and health information, identify any concerns, and set the schedule for follow-up preventive care (infants and young children require visits every few months; older children typically need annual exams). If your child has a chronic condition like asthma or food allergy, mention this during the call to book so the provider is prepared.

Hours, parking, and location logistics

Confirmation of specific address, hours, and parking availability should be obtained directly from the practice, as pediatric offices in Baltimore vary widely in their operating schedules and facilities. Most practices offer weekday morning and afternoon appointments plus at least one evening time slot (usually 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.) to accommodate working parents. Parking is typically available on-site or on the street depending on neighborhood location; call ahead to confirm whether you can bring a stroller or car seat directly into the exam area.

Mahdavi's hospital affiliation and evening availability address two practical gaps in Baltimore's pediatric landscape: the need for continuity of care and the scheduling reality of working families.