Compare 64 nephrologists in Richmond, VA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
64
Nephrologists
100%
Accepting patients
86%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Richmond punches above its weight as a healthcare city. VCU Medical Center is the academic anchor, a Level I trauma center that serves as the safety net for central Virginia. Bon Secours and HCA compete aggressively across the suburbs, giving patients genuine system-level choices. The healthcare corridor along Broad Street packs more hospital beds per mile than most cities twice Richmond's size.
Richmond has 64 nephrologists. The most common credential is MD (86%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including The Fan District, Carytown, Church Hill, and Scott's Addition.
VCU Medical Center sits in the heart of downtown, walkable from the Fan District and accessible via Pulse bus rapid transit. Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital is on the south side along Bremo Road, while HCA's Henrico Doctors' Hospital covers the west end and northern suburbs. Chippenham Hospital (HCA) serves south Richmond and Chesterfield County. The city's relatively compact size keeps most specialist appointments within a 20-minute drive.
Nearby hospitals include VCU Medical Center, Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital, and HCA Henrico Doctors' Hospital. Local training programs run through Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and University of Richmond. VCU Medical Center is a Level I trauma center and the primary academic medical center for central Virginia.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is the dominant carrier for both commercial and Medicaid managed care plans. Cigna, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare are common in employer-sponsored coverage. Virginia Medicaid runs through Medallion 4.0 managed care, with Anthem HealthKeepers, Aetna Better Health, Molina, and Virginia Premier as the main options in the Richmond area. 61% 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.
New patient wait times for VCU primary care clinics average two to three weeks. Bon Secours and HCA clinics in the suburbs tend to have shorter waits. Bring your insurance card and any referral documents to your first visit.
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+
Richmond, VA has 64 licensed nephrologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of nephrologists in Richmond, VA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield dominates the Virginia market, followed by Cigna and Aetna for employer-sponsored plans. Virginia's Medicaid expansion in 2019 significantly increased coverage, and most Richmond providers accept Medallion 4.0 managed care plans through Anthem, Aetna, Molina, and Virginia Premier.
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 Richmond, VA 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.
Richmond has three competing hospital systems, which gives patients real leverage when choosing providers. VCU handles the most complex cases and serves as the default referral center for central Virginia. Bon Secours and HCA both operate extensive primary care and specialist networks in the suburbs.
61% of nephrologists in Richmond, VA 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 Richmond, VA accept Virginia Medicaid, 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 Virginia Medicaid participation before scheduling.
RBHA is the city's public community services board, providing mental health, substance use, and intellectual disability services regardless of ability to pay. It operates crisis services, outpatient clinics, and residential programs across the city.
No. While VCU is the regional referral center for trauma and complex subspecialty care, it also operates primary care clinics, family medicine practices, and routine specialty services open to all patients.
Top accepted carriers in Richmond, VA include anthem, unitedhealthcare, medicare, centene, and qhp-17091.
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.