Rheumatology
Specialized diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases, arthritis, and complex inflammatory conditions
Rheumatology is the specialty focused on specialized diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases, arthritis, and complex inflammatory conditions. OpenDoc keeps the common visit types visible so patients can compare the care path before they book. Transparent pricing on this page currently ranges from $75 to $3,000 across 14 common visit types. Rheumatologists are the specialists who diagnose and treat over 100 types of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, from rheumatoid arthritis to lupus. With average wait times of 2-3 months for a new rheumatology appointment through insurance, cash-pay patients on OpenDoc can access evaluations starting at $250 significantly faster. Over 54 million Americans have some form of arthritis, and rheumatology is consistently ranked among the specialties with the longest appointment wait times nationwide.
Not sure where to start? Begin with General Rheumatology Evaluation and OpenDoc will keep the specialty, visit type, and price aligned before anything happens.
Cash-pay context
Why pricing transparency matters here
Rheumatology has the longest wait times of nearly any specialty — 2-3 months is typical through insurance networks. Cash pay bypasses network bottlenecks and prior authorization delays for biologic medications, while in-office infusions can save 60-80% compared to hospital infusion center pricing.
When you usually need this specialty
Common concerns that lead patients into Rheumatology
Rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory joint disease
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Gout and crystal arthropathies
Psoriatic arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis
Sjogren syndrome and sicca symptoms
Vasculitis and blood vessel inflammation
Fibromyalgia and widespread pain syndromes
Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis
Scleroderma and systemic sclerosis
Common care paths
How Rheumatology is organized on OpenDoc
New Patient Rheumatology Evaluation
New Patient Rheumatology Evaluation is a common rheumatology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
Follow-Up Visit
Follow-Up Visit is a common rheumatology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
Joint Injection (Corticosteroid)
Joint Injection (Corticosteroid) is a procedure-oriented rheumatology service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
Infusion Therapy (Biologic — per session)
Infusion Therapy (Biologic — per session) is a common rheumatology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
Bone Density Scan (DEXA) Referral & Review
Bone Density Scan (DEXA) Referral & Review is a screening-focused rheumatology service for earlier detection, monitoring, or preventive care planning.
Comprehensive Autoimmune Lab Panel
Comprehensive Autoimmune Lab Panel is a diagnostic rheumatology service used to clarify the condition before treatment decisions are made.
Common services & estimated pricing
Review common visit types, transparent cash-pay estimates, and how the care path changes before you move into provider selection.
| Service | Type | Duration | Estimated price |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Patient Rheumatology Evaluation New Patient Rheumatology Evaluation is a common rheumatology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking. | Evaluation | 45–60 min | $250 – $450 |
| Follow-Up Visit Follow-Up Visit is a common rheumatology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking. | Evaluation | 20–30 min | $125 – $250 |
| Joint Injection (Corticosteroid) Joint Injection (Corticosteroid) is a procedure-oriented rheumatology service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens. | Procedure | 15–20 min | $150 – $400 |
| Infusion Therapy (Biologic — per session) Infusion Therapy (Biologic — per session) is a common rheumatology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking. | Therapy | 1–4 hours | $500 – $3,000 |
| Bone Density Scan (DEXA) Referral & Review Bone Density Scan (DEXA) Referral & Review is a screening-focused rheumatology service for earlier detection, monitoring, or preventive care planning. | Screening | 15 min | $75 – $200 |
| Comprehensive Autoimmune Lab Panel Comprehensive Autoimmune Lab Panel is a diagnostic rheumatology service used to clarify the condition before treatment decisions are made. | Testing | Lab draw | $200 – $600 |
| Lab Panel Review Consultation Lab Panel Review Consultation is a common rheumatology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking. | Evaluation | 15–20 min | $100 – $200 |
| Lupus Evaluation (Comprehensive) Lupus Evaluation (Comprehensive) is a common rheumatology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking. | Evaluation | 60 min | $275 – $500 |
| Second Opinion Consultation Second Opinion Consultation is a common rheumatology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking. | Evaluation | 60 min | $300 – $550 |
| Gout Management Visit Gout Management Visit is a common rheumatology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking. | Evaluation | 20–30 min | $150 – $300 |
| Ultrasound-Guided Joint Injection Ultrasound-Guided Joint Injection is a procedure-oriented rheumatology service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens. | Procedure | 20–30 min | $250 – $600 |
| Joint Aspiration (Arthrocentesis) Joint Aspiration (Arthrocentesis) is a procedure-oriented rheumatology service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens. | Procedure | 15–20 min | $150 – $400 |
| Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Musculoskeletal Ultrasound is a common rheumatology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking. | Imaging | 20–30 min | $150 – $350 |
| Osteoporosis Management Visit Osteoporosis Management Visit is a common rheumatology entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking. | Evaluation | 20–30 min | $150 – $300 |
Pricing methodology: Pricing estimates are modeled from the current OpenDoc specialty taxonomy, visit archetypes, and transparent cash-pay assumptions. Posted provider pricing should be treated as the source of truth whenever it is available.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Why subspecialty matters
Why OpenDoc separates these care paths instead of collapsing them
Focused training matters
Specialties often branch into narrower care paths. Seeing them clearly helps patients choose providers with training that actually matches the problem.
Prices match the care path
A sports medicine visit, a spine evaluation, and a tumor consult are not the same visit. OpenDoc keeps pricing attached to the path, not just the umbrella specialty.
Less guesswork before booking
Patients should understand the likely route before they see provider cards. That lowers false starts and makes the next step into provider search feel clearer.
Better provider fit
This page keeps specialty, subspecialty, common visit types, and price context aligned so users can move into provider selection with more confidence.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Local discovery
Explore rheumatology by city
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