Compare 8 nephrologists in Lake Charles, LA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
8
Nephrologists
100%
Accepting patients
75%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Lake Charles has 8 nephrologists. The most common credential is MD (75%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Nearby hospitals include Ochsner Medical Center, Tulane Medical Center, and Children's Hospital New Orleans. Local training programs run through Tulane University School of Medicine and LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Medicine.
The most commonly accepted carriers among Lake Charles nephrologists include qhp-97176, unitedhealthcare, medicare, and qhp-19636. 63% accept Medicare.
The first visit includes a thorough review of your kidney function labs (creatinine, GFR, urinalysis), blood pressure readings, medications, and medical history. The nephrologist will assess the cause and stage of kidney disease and develop a management plan focused on slowing progression. This often involves medication adjustments, dietary changes, and monitoring. If dialysis is likely in the future, they will discuss access planning and options well in advance.
See a nephrologist if your PCP identifies declining kidney function (elevated creatinine, low GFR), protein in your urine, difficult-to-control high blood pressure despite multiple medications, recurrent kidney stones, electrolyte abnormalities, or if you are approaching the need for dialysis. Your primary care doctor will typically refer you when kidney function drops below a certain threshold.
Office visit copay: $30-75 · Kidney function panel: $50-200 · Dialysis: $250-500 per session · Kidney transplant: $250,000-400,000+
Lake Charles, LA has 8 licensed nephrologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of nephrologists in Lake Charles, LA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
The most commonly accepted carriers among nephrologists in Lake Charles, LA include qhp-97176, unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-19636, and centene. Coverage and in-network status vary by provider, so it is worth confirming directly with the office before scheduling. FindClarity shows accepted insurance for each provider.
An office visit copay is $30 to $75. A kidney function panel costs $50 to $200. Each dialysis session costs $250 to $500. A kidney transplant runs $250,000 to $400,000 or more. Actual costs in Lake Charles, LA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Dialysis costs are largely covered by Medicare. For CKD patients not yet on dialysis, newer medications like SGLT2 inhibitors can slow progression but may require prior authorization. Ask about manufacturer assistance programs for expensive kidney medications.
Look for a board-certified provider who accepts your insurance and practices near you. Lake Charles, LA has 8 nephrologists. Reading patient reviews and checking hospital affiliations can help narrow your choice. FindClarity lets you compare providers by credentials, insurance, and location.
MD stands for Doctor of Medicine and DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Lake Charles, LA, 75% hold the MD credential and 13% hold DO. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
63% of nephrologists in Lake Charles, LA accept Medicare. Medicare covers dialysis for all patients with end-stage kidney disease, regardless of age. Medicare also covers kidney transplant evaluation and surgery. Monthly lab work is covered for dialysis patients. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Top accepted carriers in Lake Charles, LA include qhp-97176, unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-19636, and centene.
Nephrology visits are covered as specialist visits. Medicare covers dialysis for all patients with end-stage kidney disease regardless of age. Dialysis and transplant are among the most expensive treatments in medicine. If you are approaching dialysis, your nephrologist's office can help navigate insurance and disability benefits. Medications for CKD, especially newer ones like SGLT2 inhibitors, may require prior authorization.