About me
Margaret "Marty" Bell Fischer, MD, is board certified in internal medicine and pediatric cardiology and is Director of the Congenital and Structural Arrhythmia Program at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. She specializes in adult and pediatric cardiac electrophysiology with a specialized focus on adult congenital heart disease and patients with inherited rhythm disturbances.
Dr. Fischer received her medical degree from the University of Toledo. She then completed her residency program at St. Louis University/Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, a fellowship at Texas Children's Hospital/Texas Heart Institute and a fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. She had visiting fellowships at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London and Rainbow Babies Children's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.
Her clinical interests include adult congenital heart disease, cardiac anomalies in previous surgeries, and inherited arrhythmia disorders. Her research interests include multi-center trials for new catheter techniques, using different types of catheters, and improving the technology of implant devices.
Dr. Fischer is an advocate for the recognition of an underserved population of adults with congenital heart disease. Congenital heart disease is severely under-identified in adults. With knowledge of previously diagnosed conditions and past surgeries, Dr. Fischer's skill set allows her to properly care for adults with congenital heart disease. She is also an advocate for the improvement of the use of remote heart monitoring devices. Dr. Fischer hopes to provide more patients with the advantages of remote monitoring through education for both patients and referring physicians.
After a few years of caring for patients in remote communities in Pennsylvania, Dr. Fischer grew passionate about community outreach and education. She realized that a large population of the rural United States is not receiving adequate care. Her goal is to generate community outreach opportunities, in order to ensure that both patients, as well as referring physicians, know what options can be available to them. In her free time, Dr. Fischer dedicates herself to her passion of dressage.
"I am my patient's best advocate. My aim is to generate a collaborative effort with my patients in order to get them involved in the decisions we make about their treatment. Through building a strong relationship with my patients, I hope to gain their trust and become a person that they feel comfortable opening up to, without fear of judgment or ridicule.
It is important to me to educate patients thoroughly, or as much as possible, and to be accessible when needed. When I'm with a patient, this individual is the focus of all of my attention. My goal is to improve quality of life as well as my patient's longevity."
Clinical areas of focus
- Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
- Atrial Flutter
- Cardiac Ablation
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiac Cachexia
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Study
- Electrophysiology Study For Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Heart Pacemaker Implantation
- Heart Racing
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Palpitations
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Tachycardia
- Ventricular Fibrillation
- Ventricular Tachycardia
- Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation
- Watchman Device Implantation
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abnormal Breathing
- Abnormal Function Study Results
- Abnormal Heart Rhythm
- Acute Bacterial Endocarditis
- Acute Endocarditis
- Acute Myocardial Infarction
- Amyloidosis
- Angina
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Regurgitation
- Aortic Stenosis
- Aortic Valve Regurgitation
- Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
- Artery Disorders
- Atherosclerosis
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Atrial Flutter
- Atrial Septal Defect
- Atrioventricular Block
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve
- Bradycardia
- Brugada Syndrome
- Bundle Branch Block
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Cardiac Cachexia
- Cardiac Prosthetic Device Complications
- Cardiac Prosthetic Device Malfunction
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
- Cardiac Sarcoidosis
- Cardiac Tumor
- Cardiometabolic Disorders
- Cardiomyopathy
- Cardiovascular Disorders Of Newborn
- Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
- Cerebrovascular Diseases
- Circulatory System Complications
- Coarctation Of The Aorta
- Congenital Malformations Of Heart
- Congenital Malformations Of Pulmonary And Tricuspid Valves
- Eisenmenger Syndrome
- Electrical Conduction Disorders
- Esophageal Atresia
- Heart Disease
- Heart Murmur
- Heart Palpitations
- Heart Racing
- High Cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Hypotension
- Implantable Cardioverter
- Implantable Defibrillator Maintenance
- Interstitial Lung Disease
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Ischemic Heart Disease
- Long Qt Syndrome
- Long Term Drug Therapy
- Marfan Syndrome
- Maternal Care For Fetal Problems
- Mitral Regurgitation
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Mitral Valve Stenosis
- Multiple Myeloma With Amyloidosis
- Nervous And Musculoskeletal Symptoms
- Nonrheumatic Mitral Valve Disease
- Obesity
- Pain In Throat And Chest
- Palpitations
- Paroxysmal Ventricular Tachycardia
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus
- Patent Foramen Ovale
- Pericardium Diseases
- Peripheral Vascular Disease Of The Intestines
- Premature Atrial Contraction
- Premature Atrial Contractions
- Premature Atrial Contractions (PACS)
- Premature Ventricular Contractions
- Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCS)
- Presence Of Cardiac And Vascular Implants
- Protozoal Diseases
- Pulmonary Edema
- Pulmonary Valve Disorders
- Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Shock
- Short Qt Syndrome
- Sick Sinus Syndrome
- Single Ventricle Heart Defects
- Sleep Disorders
- Subcortical Infarction
- Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
- Syncope
- Tachycardia
- Transient Cerebral Ischemic Attacks
- Transposition Of The Great Arteries
- Tricuspid Atresia
- Tricuspid Stenosis
- Venous Embolism
- Ventricular Fibrillation
- Ventricular Septal Defect
- Ventricular Tachycardia
- Vision Disturbances
- Watchman Device Complications
- Watchman Device Implantation
Procedures I perform
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Arrhythmia Monitoring
- Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
- Atrial Septal Defect Repair
- Automated External Defibrillator
- Baby Gates
- Cardiac Ablation
- Cardiac Ablation For Ventricular Tachycardia
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Study
- Cardiac Event Monitoring
- Cardiac Event Recorder
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
- Cardioversion
- Coronary Artery Disease Treatment
- Electrophysiology Study
- Electrophysiology Study For Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Event Recorder Implantation
- Heart Failure Treatment
- Heart Pacemaker Implantation
- Heart Rhythm Monitoring
- Heart Transplant
- Holter Monitoring
- Implantable Loop Recorder
- Maze Procedure For Atrial Fibrillation
- Mep (MOTOR EVOKED POTENTIALS)
- Mitral Valve Repair
- Pacemaker Placement
- Pacemaker Pulse Generator Insertion
- Pulmonary Artery Stenosis Repair
- Pulmonary Valve Replacement
- Pulmonary Vein Isolation
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Tricuspid Valve Repair
- Ventricular Fibrillation Treatment
- Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation
- Watchman Device Implantation
- Wireless Event Recorder Monitoring
- Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome Treatment
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.
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List of insurance plans we accept
- Aetna Basic
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- IH-Indemnity
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst NASCO
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Network OA
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Choice POS
- IH-Open POS Plus
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- HighMark
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- First Health PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Choice
- Aetna HMO
- CIGNA PPO
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- BlueChoice Open Access
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- IH-EPO Plus
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- IH-Open HMO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- CareFirst Administrators
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- IH-HMO
- IH-POS Plus
- IH-POS
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- MultiPlan, Inc
- IH-PPO
- TRICARE for Life East
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Optimum Choice
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- United Student Resources
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Aetna Classic 5000
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- IH-Open POS II
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- TRICARE East Prime
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- First Health PPO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Sentara Health
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- CIGNA EPO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Medicare Direct
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- OA Plus
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- POS OA
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- HumanaChoice PPO
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Medicare FFS
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Choice POS II
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Beech Street PPO
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Employee Health Plan
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- UHC Passport
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Navigate
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Tricare Reserve Select
- CareFirst EPO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- HealthyBlue PPO
- TRICARE East Select
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Choice Fund PPO
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
Education
Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic (1995)
Residency: Baylor College of Medicine (1993)
Residency: St. Louis University Hospital (1990)
Graduate: University of Toledo College of Medicine (1986)