Rheumatologists Accepting Medicare in Maryland

Preparing for your first appointment with a new rheumatologist is an important step toward managing your health. Having the right documents and information organized will ensure a smooth process and allow the doctor to focus on your care from the moment you walk in. For a Medicare-accepting rheumatologist in Maryland, you should be sure to bring:

Your Medicare Card: This is the most important item, as it contains your Medicare number and is essential for billing. The clinic’s staff will need this to verify your coverage.

A Referral (if applicable): If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) that requires referrals, you must obtain one from your primary care physician (PCP) before your visit.

A List of Medications: Include all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and any vitamins or supplements you take, along with their dosages.

Medical History: A summary of your past diagnoses, surgeries, and any relevant family medical history.

Symptom Journal: A record of your symptoms, including when they started, how they’ve changed, and any factors that make them better or worse.

Providing this documentation will help the clinic’s staff process your visit efficiently and give your rheumatologist the comprehensive information they need to provide the best possible care.

Medicare’s coverage for rheumatology care is primarily handled through Medicare Part B, with limited involvement from Part A. It is crucial to understand the distinction to anticipate your costs and coverage.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance): This is the part of Medicare that covers most rheumatology services. Part B pays for medically necessary doctor’s appointments, outpatient hospital services, lab tests (like blood work), and certain injectable drugs administered in a clinic setting. After you meet your annual Part B deductible, Medicare typically pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount, leaving you responsible for the remaining 20% coinsurance.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance): Part A covers inpatient care in a hospital. This would only be relevant for rheumatology if your condition requires a hospital stay, such as a severe flare-up or a complication requiring acute care.

The vast majority of your routine rheumatology care—from consultations to follow-up visits and lab work—will fall under the coverage of Medicare Part B. It’s always best to understand your specific plan to avoid any surprises.

Verifying that a rheumatologist is in-network with Medicare is an essential step to ensure your visit is covered and you avoid unnecessary out-of-pocket costs. Fortunately, there are several reliable ways to confirm a doctor’s participation status:

Medicare’s Physician Compare Tool: This is the official and most direct resource provided by Medicare. You can search for doctors by specialty and location and filter by their Medicare acceptance status.

Call the Clinic Directly: This is often the most straightforward and effective method. Simply call the rheumatologist’s office and ask if they are currently accepting new patients with your specific Medicare plan. Be sure to specify if you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, as networks can differ.

Check Your Medicare Plan’s Website: If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy, you can log in to your plan’s website to search their provider directory. Follow these steps to verify your selection:

• Log in to your Medicare account. This is the first step to accessing your personalized network information and provider directory.
• Use the search function to find doctors by specialty and location. This allows you to narrow down the list of providers who fit your specific healthcare needs.
• Save your rheumatologist to your list of providers. Adding them to your account’s saved providers list makes it easy to reference them for future appointments and referrals.
• Verify that the selection is in-network for your plan before scheduling an appointment. This final check ensures that your visit will be covered and you won’t be charged the full cost.
• Taking a few minutes to confirm this information beforehand can save you time and money.

Yes, a rheumatologist accepting Medicare in Maryland has the same extensive training and capability to treat a wide variety of autoimmune disorders as any other rheumatologist. Their acceptance of a specific insurance plan, including Medicare, does not impact their medical expertise or the scope of their practice. Rheumatologists are specialists who are trained to diagnose, manage, and treat over 100 types of diseases that affect the joints, muscles, and bones. This includes a broad range of complex and chronic autoimmune disorders such as:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus)
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Gout
• Scleroderma

A rheumatologist’s ability to treat these conditions is based on their years of medical education, residency, and fellowship training, not on their insurance contracts. The primary difference is simply in how their services are billed and reimbursed.

Visit Nasseri Clinic of Arthritic and Rheumatic Diseases to consult with a Medicare-accepted rheumatologist and start your journey toward better health and symptom management. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Maryland. We serve patients from Catonsville MD, Glen Burnie MD, Columbia MD, North Baltimore MD, Rosedale MD, Edgewater MD, Hebbville MD, Woodlawn MD, Pasadena MD, Jacobsville MD, Ellicott City MD, Laurel MD, Dundalk MD, Halethorpe MD, Overlea MD, Parkville MD, Riva MD, Annapolis MD, Ferndale MD, and surrounding areas.