James P. Higgins, MD| Hand Surgery, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery | MedStar Health
About me
Dr. James Higgins is Chief of The Curtis National Hand Center at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital. Dr. Higgins specializes in complex reconstruction after trauma, microsurgery, congenital hand surgery as well as fractures and disorders of the arm and wrist. He is fellowship trained in hand surgery and board certified in plastic surgery.
Dr. Higgins is recognized as a leading surgeon in the field and a sought-after national and international presenter and visiting professor. His numerous research studies and clinical trial research projects are published in prestigious peer-reviewed medical journals. While treating commonplace hand conditions he has been recognized as a leader in complex areas of hand surgery including microsurgery, hand replantation and transplantation, and wrist reconstruction.
Dr. Higgins believes in treating all patients in the same way that he would treat a family member. His dedication to patient care and compassion led him to be named a Top Doctor by Baltimore Magazine, most recently in 2023, and a Super Doctor by The Washington Post.
Each year the two largest national scientific organizations of hand and microsurgery select a travelling ambassador surgeon from among their ranks of thousands of surgeons around the globe. Dr Higgins has served as the selected ambassador and travelling fellow for each of these groups. In 2010 Dr. Higgins served as the Godina travelling fellow for the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery. In 2013 he then served as the Sterling Bunnell travelling fellow for the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Dr Higgins is one of only two surgeons globally who have ever received both of these prestigious accolades.
Awards
Dr. Higgins was named a 2023 and 2020 “Top Doc” by Baltimore Magazine for Hand Surgery and has been recognized since 2015.
Clinical areas of focus
- Cubital Tunnel Release
- De Quervain's Thyroiditis
- Dupuytren's Contracture
- Ganglion Cysts
- Hand And Wrist Fracture
- Hand Tendon Repair
- Metacarpophalangeal Joint Arthroplasty
- Radial Nerve Entrapment
- Reconstructive Surgery Of The Hand
- Trigger Finger
- Wrist And Hand Tendon Injury
- Wrist Instability Reconstruction
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Acantholytic Disorders
- Acquired Absence Of Limb
- Acquired Finger Deformity
- Amputation Of Fingers
- Arthritis
- Benign Tumor
- Bone Density Disorder
- Bone Disorders
- Bone Infection (OSTEOMYELITIS)
- Bone Nonunion
- Boxer's Fracture
- Broken Hand
- Bursopathy
- Complications Of Reattachment And Amputation
- Congenital Malformations Of Limb
- Congenital Musculoskeletal Deformities
- Crush Injury Of The Hand
- Cutaneous Abscess, Furuncle And Carbuncle
- De Quervain's Thyroiditis
- Dislocated Finger
- Dupuytren's Contracture
- Early Complications Of Trauma
- Elbow And Forearm Injury
- Elbow Arthritis
- Elbow Joint And Ligament Dislocation And Sprain
- Enteropathic Arthropathies
- Finger Arthritis
- Finger Joint Dislocation
- Finger Sprains
- Finger, Hand, And Wrist Open Wound
- Flexor Tendon Rupture
- Forearm And Elbow Joint Instability
- Forearm Blood Vessel Injury
- Forearm Fracture
- Forearm Tendon Injury
- Fractured Wrist
- Ganglion Cysts
- Gout
- Hand And Finger Nerve Damage
- Hand And Wrist Arthritis
- Hand And Wrist Fracture
- Hand Joint And Ligament Sprain
- Hand Tendon Injury
- Joint Derangement
- Joint Disorder
- Kienbock's Disease
- Lateral Meniscus Injury
- Limb Deformity
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Connective And Soft Tissue
- Mallet Finger
- Median Nerve Compression
- Muscle Disorders
- Neck Nerve And Spinal Cord Injury
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoarthritis Of First Carpometacarpal Joint
- Osteoarthritis Of The Finger
- Osteochondropathies
- Osteonecrosis
- Peripheral Nerve Surgery
- Polyosteoarthritis
- Presence Of Functional Implants
- Radial Nerve Entrapment
- Reconstructive Surgery
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Of Hand
- Scaphoid Fracture
- Shoulder And Upper Arm Amputation
- Shoulder And Upper Arm Tendon Injury
- Syndactyly
- Synovium And Tendon Disorder
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
- Tendinous Disorders
- Tendon Damage In The Hand
- Tendonitis Of The Hand
- Tenosynovitis Of The Wrist
- Thumb Synovitis
- Trigger Finger
- Trigger Thumb
- Wrist And Hand Amputation
- Wrist And Hand Joint And Ligament Dislocation And Sprain
- Wrist And Hand Tendon Injury
- Wrist Blood Vessel Injury
- Wrist Joint Dislocation
- Wrist, Hand, And Finger Crushing Injury
Procedures I perform
- Arthritis Procedures
- Articular Fracture Treatment
- Bone Graft
- Bone Graft With Microvascular Anastomosis
- Burn Treatment
- Bursa Excision
- Capsulotomy Of Wrist
- Carpal Bone Fracture Treatment
- Carpal Replacement
- Carpal Reposition With Internal Fixation
- Carpal Scaphoid Fracture Fixation
- Carpal Tunnel Release
- Carpectomy Of All Bones Of Proximal Row
- Carpectomy Of One Bone
- Celiac Plexus Block
- Club Hand Reconstruction
- Cubital Tunnel Release
- Digital Neuroplasty
- Distal Radius Fracture Fixation
- Dupuytren Contracture Treatment
- Elbow Arthroscopy
- Elbow Ligament Repair
- Elbow Replacement
- Excision Of Bone Cyst Or Tumor Of Radius Or Ulna
- Excision, Olecranon Bursa
- Extensor Tendon Grafting
- Extensor Tendon Sheath Incision
- Fasciectomy With Release Of Single Digit
- Finger Arthroscopy
- Finger Contracture Release
- Finger Phalangeal Joint Fusion
- Free Osteocutaneous Flap With Microvascular Anastomosis
- Ganglion Cyst Excision
- Hand Arthritis Treatment
- Hand Fracture External Fixation
- Hand Tendon Excision
- Hand Tendon Repair
- Incision And Drainage Of Abscess
- Intercarpal Arthroplasty
- Interphalangeal Joint Arthroplasty
- Left Axillary Lymphatic Autologous Supplement
- Lesion Excision
- Lunate Dislocation Treatment
- Median Nerve Excision
- Median Nerve Release
- Metacarpal Fracture Treatment
- Metacarpal Joint Arthrodesis
- Metacarpophalangeal Joint Arthroplasty
- Metacarpophalangeal Joint Capsulectomy
- Microsurgery
- Minimally Invasive Hand Surgery
- Muscle Flap
- Muscle Release
- Nerve Conduit
- Palmar Fasciectomy
- Pectoralis Major Transfer
- Pedicle Formation
- Percutaneous Osteoplasty
- Percutaneous Sacral Nerve Release
- Peripheral Nerve Surgery
- Phalangeal Shaft Fracture Treatment
- Phalanx Bone Excision
- Phoropter
- Radius And Ulna Fracture Treatment
- Reconstructive Surgery
- Reconstructive Surgery Of The Hand
- Scar Revision
- Skin Graft Urethroplasty
- Skin Harvest For Tissue Cultured Skin Autograft
- Surgical Repair Of Flexor Tendon
- Sympathectomy
- Synovectomy Of Tendon Sheath
- Tendinitis Treatment
- Tendon Lengthening
- Tendon Sheath Drainage
- Tenolysis
- Tenotomy
- Thumb Fracture Treatment
- Tissue Expansion
- Ulnar Nerve Release
- Wrist Instability Reconstruction
- Wrist Instability Treatment
- Wrist Manipulation
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 Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- HighMark
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- CareFirst EPO
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Police and Fire Clinic
- IH-POS Plus
- Beech Street PPO
- HighMark
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Sentara Health
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- IH-HMO
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Network OA
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Choice POS II
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Aetna VA Exchange
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- First Health PPO
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- TRICARE East Select
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- UHC Passport
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst EPO
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- CIGNA PPO
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- TRICARE for Life East
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- First Health PPO
- Medicare Direct
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Medicare FFS
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Choice POS
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- BlueChoice Open Access
- CareFirst NASCO
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Medicare Direct
- IH-EPO Plus
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- IH-Open POS II
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- CareFirst Administrators
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- HumanaChoice PPO
- IH-Open POS II
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- MultiPlan, Inc
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst NASCO
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Employee Health Plan
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- TRICARE East Prime
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- TRICARE for Life East
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Choice Fund PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- IH-Open POS Plus
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Network OA
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- United Healthcare Choice
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- POS OA
- HealthyBlue PPO
- IH-PPO
- Sentara Health
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Aetna Basic
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- TRICARE East Select
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- United Student Resources
- Choice Fund PPO
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- OA Plus
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Basic
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Choice POS II Open Access
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- IH-Indemnity
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- IH-EPO Plus
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- CIGNA EPO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- IH-POS Plus
- IH-Open HMO
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- IH-HMO
- OA Plus
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Choice POS II
- IH-PPO
- CIGNA EPO
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- IH-Open HMO
- United Healthcare Choice
- First Health PPO
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Employee Health Plan
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CareFirst Administrators
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- POS OA
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Choice POS
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- TRICARE East Prime
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- IH-POS
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Aetna HMO
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- United Student Resources
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Blue Choice Advantage
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- First Health PPO
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- IH-Indemnity
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Optimum Choice
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Blue Choice Advantage
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Optimum Choice
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- IH-POS
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Medicare FFS
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Beech Street PPO
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- CIGNA PPO
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Navigate
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Navigate
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- IH-Network Only Plus
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- UHC Passport
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
Videos
Education
Board Certification: ,
Board Certification: American Board of Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery
Fellowship: MedStar Union Memorial Hospital at Baltimore (2002)
Residency: University of Rochester School of Medicine GME (2001)
Residency: University of Rochester School of Medicine GME (1999)
Medical School: University of Rochester (1996)
Awards
- Baltimore Magazine Top Doc - 2023, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015