Finding a doctor who actually listens feels like winning the lottery. Finding one who understands that "more medicine" isn't always "better medicine" is even rarer. If you've been looking for dr andrew lazris columbia md, you probably already know he isn't your typical primary care physician. He’s a bit of a disruptor in the world of geriatrics and internal medicine.
Dr. Andrew Lazris (or Andy, as many know him) operates Personal Physician Care right on Cedar Lane. He's been practicing for over 35 years. That’s a long time to watch the healthcare system change, and honestly, he hasn’t liked everything he’s seen. He’s become a vocal critic of how we treat the elderly in America, specifically through his writing on Medicare and the "over-treatment" epidemic.
Why Personal Physician Care in Columbia is Different
Most people walk into a doctor's office and expect a 10-minute whirlwind. You barely get your coat off before the NP is out the door. At dr andrew lazris columbia md, the vibe is noticeably slower. Patients often mention that he spends significant time—sometimes 30 to 45 minutes—just talking.
He’s an internist by trade, graduating from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1990 and completing his residency at the University of Virginia. But his real specialty is the "frail elderly." This is a specific niche. It’s not just about treating a cough; it’s about managing the complex, often messy intersection of multiple chronic conditions without making the patient’s life miserable with side effects.
The Philosophy of "Right Care"
Lazris isn't a "pill pusher." That’s a term you’ll see pop up in his patient reviews quite a bit. He’s actually a member of the Right Care Alliance, a group that advocates for medical care that is necessary and effective rather than just profitable.
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In his practice, you’ll find a heavy focus on:
- Dementia management: Helping families navigate the behavioral and physical hurdles of memory loss.
- Wound care: He is a Certified Wound Specialist Physician (CWSP), which is a huge deal for patients in long-term care or with limited mobility.
- Palliative care: Focusing on quality of life and comfort rather than aggressive, invasive procedures that might not actually help.
It’s a non-interventionist approach. Basically, if a test or a drug isn’t going to change how you feel or how long you live in a meaningful way, he might suggest skipping it. This is controversial for some, but for others, it's a breath of fresh air.
The Man Who Wrote the Book on Medicare
You can't really talk about dr andrew lazris columbia md without mentioning his books. He isn't just a local doc; he’s a bit of a policy wonk. His book Curing Medicare is a pretty scathing look at how the current system encourages doctors to over-test and over-treat older patients.
He argues that the "numerical perfection" Medicare looks for—like hitting exact blood pressure or cholesterol targets—often leads to seniors being over-medicated. This can cause falls, confusion, and a lower quality of life. He’s also co-authored Interpreting Health Risks and Benefits, which is basically a guide to help patients understand that the "10% risk" doctors talk about isn't always as scary as it sounds.
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What Patients Actually Think
If you look at the data on Healthgrades or Vitals, the ratings for dr andrew lazris columbia md are a bit of a mixed bag, and that’s actually interesting. Most "perfect" 5-star doctors have curated feeds. Lazris has some lower marks from people who were frustrated that they primarily saw a Nurse Practitioner or felt the office wasn't "tech-forward" enough.
However, the 5-star reviews are passionate. They talk about him responding to emails within 24 hours. They talk about him being the only doctor who took the time to explain why a certain medication was causing more harm than good. One patient mentioned he’s "grounded in a non-interventionist philosophy," which is a fancy way of saying he won't do surgery or order a CT scan just because he can.
Navigating the Practice in Columbia
The office is located at 6334 Cedar Ln, Suite 103, Columbia, MD 21044. It’s right near Howard County General Hospital (now part of Johns Hopkins).
If you're thinking about becoming a patient, keep these things in mind:
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- Insurance: He accepts most major plans like CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and UnitedHealthCare.
- Telehealth: Since the pandemic, he’s kept a robust telehealth option, which is great for his older patients who can't easily travel.
- Complex Care: He specializes in "Care Coordination." If you have five different specialists and your meds are a mess, that’s where he does his best work.
He’s also the Medical Director for several local assisted living facilities. This means he sees the reality of aging every single day, not just from behind a desk. He’s been named a "Top Doc" in Geriatrics by Baltimore Magazine multiple times, including in 2021 and 2022.
Actionable Next Steps for Patients and Families
If you are looking for a doctor for yourself or an aging parent in Howard County, don't just book an appointment blindly.
First, check your goals. If you want a doctor who will run every possible test and refer you to ten specialists, Lazris might not be the right fit. If you want someone who prioritizes quality of life and "minimalist" medicine, he probably is.
Second, gather the "Brown Bag." Before a first visit at Personal Physician Care, put every single supplement and prescription bottle into a bag. Lazris is known for "de-prescribing"—helping patients safely stop medications they no longer need.
Third, read his blog or books. If you want to know how your doctor thinks, he’s laid it all out at doc-patient-talk.com. It’ll give you a clear idea of whether his philosophy aligns with your own values on aging and medical intervention.
To get started, you can call his office at (410) 531-2355 to verify if they are currently accepting new patients for your specific insurance tier.