Compare 23 rheumatologists in Knoxville, TN. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
23
Rheumatologists
100%
Accepting patients
91%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Knoxville is the healthcare hub for East Tennessee, a region that stretches from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Cumberland Plateau. The University of Tennessee Medical Center serves as the regional trauma and referral center, while Covenant Health runs the largest community hospital network. For a mid-sized city, Knoxville has solid breadth across specialties, though patients with rare conditions may still be referred to Nashville or Atlanta.
Knoxville has 23 rheumatologists. The most common credential is MD (91%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Knoxville's medical facilities spread along the I-40 and Kingston Pike corridors. UT Medical Center sits on Alcoa Highway south of downtown, while Fort Sanders Regional is near the UT campus. West Knoxville and Farragut have growing outpatient campuses along Kingston Pike. The city has no rail transit, and driving is the default. Most destinations within the metro are reachable in 15 to 25 minutes.
Providers practice throughout Knoxville. Downtown Knoxville is fort Sanders Regional Medical Center sits at the edge of downtown, serving the urban core and the UT campus community. Bearden is a west Knoxville commercial corridor with numerous medical and dental offices along Kingston Pike. West Knoxville is parkwest Medical Center and Turkey Creek medical offices serve this fast-growing suburban area near Farragut. South Knoxville is a residential area across the Tennessee River with community health options and proximity to UT Medical Center.
Nearby hospitals include University of Tennessee Medical Center, Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, and Parkwest Medical Center. Local training programs run through University of Tennessee College of Medicine (Knoxville campus) and University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The University of Tennessee Medical Center is the primary Level I trauma center for the 21-county East Tennessee region.
The first visit takes 45 to 60 minutes. The rheumatologist will perform a detailed joint exam (checking for swelling, warmth, and tenderness in every joint), review your blood work, and take a thorough history of your symptoms including when they started, what triggers them, and how they have progressed. They may order additional labs, X-rays, or ultrasound. Treatment plans often involve medication adjustments over several visits to find the right combination.
Covenant Health and UT Medical Center are the two main systems. If you need a specialist referral, UT Medical Center is the academic option. For routine primary care, Covenant's network of community practices is widely accessible.
See a rheumatologist for persistent joint pain or swelling in multiple joints, morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes, unexplained rashes combined with joint pain, positive autoimmune blood tests (ANA, rheumatoid factor), gout attacks, chronic widespread pain or fatigue your PCP suspects is fibromyalgia, or any condition where your immune system appears to be causing inflammation.
Office visit copay: $30-75 · Rheumatoid factor/ANA panel: $100-300 · Biologic infusion: $1,000-5,000 per treatment · Joint ultrasound: $200-500
The mountains and valleys of East Tennessee trap air pollution and pollen, contributing to higher asthma and allergy rates. Primary care doctors here manage respiratory conditions as a routine part of practice.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that attacks the joints. Rheumatologists prescribe disease-modifying drugs early to prevent joint damage and manage the condition long-term.
Lupus can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs. Rheumatologists manage flares, monitor organ involvement, and adjust treatment to keep the disease under control.
Wear-and-tear arthritis causes joint pain and stiffness that worsens over time. Rheumatologists help distinguish it from inflammatory arthritis and develop management plans that keep you active.
Sudden, intense joint pain (often in the big toe) may be gout. Rheumatologists confirm the diagnosis, treat acute flares, and prescribe long-term uric acid-lowering therapy to prevent future attacks.
Widespread pain, fatigue, and brain fog that cannot be explained by other conditions may be fibromyalgia. Rheumatologists diagnose it, rule out other causes, and create a multifaceted treatment plan.
Knoxville, TN has 23 licensed rheumatologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of rheumatologists in Knoxville, TN are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is the dominant carrier. TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid) is accepted at UT Medical Center and most Covenant Health facilities. Humana and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans are common among retirees.
An office visit copay is $30 to $75. A rheumatoid factor/ANA panel costs $100 to $300. Biologic infusions cost $1,000 to $5,000 per treatment. Joint ultrasound runs $200 to $500. Actual costs in Knoxville, TN depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Biologic medications are the biggest cost driver in rheumatology. Biosimilars (generic-equivalent biologics) can significantly reduce costs. Manufacturer copay programs can bring patient costs down to $5 to $25 per month. Ask your rheumatologist about all financial assistance options.
Knoxville healthcare runs through two main systems: Covenant Health (community hospitals) and UT Medical Center (academic/trauma). Tennova Healthcare also operates facilities in the area. Your insurance network will steer you toward one system.
52% of rheumatologists in Knoxville, TN accept Medicare. Medicare covers rheumatology visits and medically necessary treatments, including biologic infusions administered in the office (Part B). Oral biologic medications are covered under Part D. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some rheumatologists in Knoxville, TN accept TennCare, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers rheumatology services in all states. Coverage for biologic medications requires prior authorization and varies by state formulary. Many patients qualify for manufacturer assistance programs. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm TennCare participation before scheduling.
UT Medical Center serves as the Level I trauma and specialty referral center for 21 East Tennessee counties. Covenant Health operates smaller hospitals in Morristown, Sevierville, and other surrounding towns. For routine care, Cherokee Health Systems has locations across the region.
For most routine and specialty care, yes. Knoxville has strong hospital systems and a growing physician base. For highly specialized procedures, rare conditions, or clinical trials, Nashville's Vanderbilt is the next step up and about a 3-hour drive.
Top accepted carriers in Knoxville, TN include unitedhealthcare, qhp-14002, medicare, cigna, and anthem.
Rheumatology visits are covered as specialist visits. Biologic medications (Humira, Enbrel, Rinvoq, etc.) are expensive, often $2,000 to $6,000 per month before insurance. Most are covered under specialty pharmacy benefits with prior authorization. Manufacturer copay assistance programs can dramatically reduce out-of-pocket costs. Your rheumatologist's office typically handles authorization paperwork.