Rheumatology Clinic
Patient Resources
How to Become a Patient

How to Become a Patient

Specialty Care Starts with a Physician Referral

At Rheumatology Associates, we provide expert rheumatologic care for individuals with autoimmune and inflammatory conditions—but all new patients must be referred by a licensed healthcare provider. This process ensures that we receive the clinical context and medical records needed to deliver comprehensive, coordinated care from the very first visit.

Referrals

Why Referrals Are Required

As a specialty clinic, we rely on referrals to:

Ensure

the patient is receiving appropriate specialty care

Obtain

essential background information, including medical history and test results

Coordinate

treatment with the referring provider

Help

insurance providers approve and cover specialty services

If you’re experiencing chronic joint pain, fatigue, or symptoms of an autoimmune condition, please speak with your primary care provider, family physician, or another specialist about whether a referral to a rheumatologist is appropriate.

Instructions

Referral Instructions for Physicians

We accept referrals from physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Referrals can be sent to our clinic via:

Please include:

  • Patient’s full name, date of birth, and contact info
  • Relevant medical history and clinical notes
  • Lab results and imaging (if available)
  • Insurance information
  • Referring provider’s name and contact details

Once the referral is reviewed, our team will contact the patient within 1–2 business days to schedule an initial consultation.

What Happens Next?

Referral is received 
and reviewed

by our clinical intake team.

We contact the patient

to schedule a new patient appointment.

Patients complete new patient forms

Initial consultation

is scheduled and coordinated with referring provider if needed.

Questions About the Referral Process?

If you're a referring provider or a patient needing help understanding the process, 
our team is here to assist.

Need to Refer a Patient Now?