Compare 39 rheumatologists in Richmond, VA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
39
Rheumatologists
100%
Accepting patients
74%
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 39 rheumatologists. The most common credential is MD (74%). 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. 54% accept Medicare.
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.
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 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
Pollen season in Richmond is aggressive, typically running from March through October. Tree pollen in spring and ragweed in fall keep allergy and asthma specialists busy year-round.
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.
Richmond, VA has 39 licensed rheumatologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of rheumatologists 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 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 Richmond, VA 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.
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.
MD stands for Doctor of Medicine and DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Richmond, VA, 74% hold the MD credential and 13% hold DO. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
54% of rheumatologists in Richmond, VA 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.
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, molina, and centene.
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.