5,371
Geriatricians
100%
Accepting patients
84%
Most common: MD
FindClarity lists 5,371 geriatricians nationwide. 100% are currently accepting new patients. The most common credential is MD (84%). 51% accept Medicare.
Geriatricians are physicians who specialize in the healthcare of older adults, typically those over 65. They focus on the unique medical, cognitive, and functional challenges of aging, including managing multiple chronic conditions simultaneously, medication optimization, fall prevention, cognitive decline, and end-of-life care planning.
After medical school, geriatricians complete a three-year residency in either internal medicine or family medicine, followed by a one-year geriatric medicine fellowship. Their training emphasizes the interactions between medications, the impact of aging on disease presentation, and the importance of functional independence and quality of life alongside traditional disease management.
Older adults often have five or more chronic conditions and take multiple medications. Each new drug increases the risk of interactions and side effects. Geriatricians specialize in streamlining medication regimens, reducing unnecessary drugs, and prioritizing treatments that improve daily function and quality of life over aggressive interventions that may cause more harm than benefit.
Consider seeing a geriatrician if you or an older family member is managing five or more medications, experiencing memory problems or cognitive decline, having frequent falls, dealing with multiple chronic conditions that are difficult to manage together, facing decisions about independent living, needing coordination of complex medical care, or wanting to discuss advance care planning.
The first visit is typically longer than a standard appointment, often 60 to 90 minutes. The geriatrician will perform a comprehensive assessment that includes a medication review, cognitive screening, functional assessment (ability to perform daily activities), fall risk evaluation, and discussion of goals and priorities. They may also assess mood, nutrition, and social support. The goal is a whole-person care plan, not just a list of diagnoses.
Office visit copay: $20-50 · Comprehensive geriatric assessment: covered under Medicare · Cognitive testing: $100-500 · Fall risk assessment: typically included in visit
Both are trained in adult medicine, but geriatricians complete additional fellowship training focused on aging. They specialize in managing the overlapping conditions, medication burdens, and functional challenges that come with advanced age. Where an internist may focus on treating individual diseases, a geriatrician considers the whole picture: how treatments affect daily function, independence, and quality of life.
There is no strict age cutoff. Most geriatricians focus on patients 65 and older, but the specialty is most valuable for older adults with complex medical needs. A healthy, active 70-year-old may not need one. An 80-year-old managing diabetes, heart failure, arthritis, and cognitive changes would benefit significantly from geriatric expertise.
Yes. Geriatricians are trained to evaluate and manage cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. They can perform cognitive assessments, rule out reversible causes of memory loss (medication side effects, thyroid problems, depression), prescribe appropriate medications, and help families navigate caregiving and planning decisions.
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Geriatric visits are covered as primary care or specialist visits depending on the billing arrangement. Medicare covers the Annual Wellness Visit, which aligns well with geriatric assessment goals. Comprehensive geriatric assessments may be billed as prolonged visits. Some Medicare Advantage plans have enhanced benefits for geriatric care coordination.