Compare 93 nephrologists in Portland, OR. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
93
Nephrologists
100%
Accepting patients
90%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Portland's healthcare identity is shaped by OHSU, the only academic medical center in Oregon, perched on Marquam Hill like a small city of its own. Below it, Legacy and Providence split the map into competing networks that give patients real choices. The city's deep roots in naturopathic and integrative medicine mean you'll find treatment philosophies here that barely exist in most metro areas.
Portland has 93 nephrologists. The most common credential is MD (90%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
OHSU sits atop Marquam Hill with an aerial tram connecting to the South Waterfront. Legacy Good Samaritan anchors the northwest side, while Providence Portland covers the east. The MAX light rail and streetcar connect several hospital-adjacent neighborhoods, but most Portlanders drive or bike to appointments. Cross-river commutes between east and west Portland add 15 to 20 minutes during rush hour.
Providers practice throughout Portland. Pearl District is a walkable downtown neighborhood with Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center and specialist offices. Alberta Arts District is a vibrant northeast Portland corridor with community clinics and culturally responsive care options. Hawthorne is a popular southeast neighborhood with independent practices and naturopathic medicine offices. Division is a growing east Portland corridor with new medical offices and quick access to Providence Portland.
Nearby hospitals include OHSU Hospital, Providence Portland Medical Center, and Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center. Local training programs run through Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and Portland State University. OHSU is Oregon's only academic health center and sits atop Marquam Hill overlooking downtown Portland.
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.
Bring your insurance card and a valid ID. Portland providers tend to run on time but schedule tightly, so arriving ten minutes early is standard. Many clinics close by 5 PM, though urgent care centers stay open later.
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+
Portland, OR has 93 licensed nephrologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of nephrologists in Portland, OR are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Oregon's Medicaid program (Oregon Health Plan) covers a large share of the population and is accepted at most major systems. For marketplace plans, Moda, Providence, and Kaiser Permanente are the dominant carriers. Kaiser operates its own closed network with clinics across the metro.
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 Portland, OR 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.
Portland has strong provider density, but the east side of the city and outer suburbs like Gresham and Troutdale have fewer options. OHSU, Legacy, and Providence each run their own physician networks, so start by checking which system your insurance covers best.
62% of nephrologists in Portland, OR 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.
Some nephrologists in Portland, OR accept Oregon Health Plan, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers nephrology services and dialysis in all states. Coverage for newer CKD medications (SGLT2 inhibitors) varies by state formulary. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Oregon Health Plan participation before scheduling.
Oregon is one of a handful of states that license naturopathic physicians with prescribing authority. Many insurance plans, including some OHP and marketplace plans, cover ND visits. Portland has one of the highest naturopathic-doctor-per-capita ratios in the country.
OHSU accepts both referrals and self-scheduled appointments for most departments. As an academic medical center, it tends to handle complex and specialty cases, but its primary care clinics at the South Waterfront and Marquam Hill are open to new patients.
Top accepted carriers in Portland, OR include unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-73836, qhp-23603, and qhp-10091.
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.