The first step in selecting the best lupus specialists is focusing on finding rheumatology doctors. These doctors specialize in autoimmune illnesses, including lupus, as well as arthritis and other conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system. You can also search for doctors who are board certified, as this means they have completed rigorous specialty training and additional testing. It is also important to determine whether or not your insurance will pay for a specialist's services and to review a doctor's fee schedule prior to choosing if you don't have insurance and must pay on your own. Additionally, you could use recommendations to help you make your choice.
When you are trying to choose the best lupus specialists, the most important thing is to choose the right type of doctor. Usually, a rheumatologist cares for patients who have lupus as well as patients who suffer from arthritis and similar conditions. Though another type of doctor may prove capable of treating you for some types of issues that arise from lupus, a rheumatologist typically has the highest level of expertise.
Choosing the best lupus specialists may also include looking for board certified doctors. When a doctor is board certified, this means he has been certified by an organization that provides credentials for doctors in his specialty. This is in addition to licensing, which all doctors must have in most jurisdictions. Board certification in rheumatology usually means a doctor has met particularly high standards of training and has passed additional testing in order to receive this credential. Knowing that a doctor you are considering has met such stringent standards may give you more confidence in his abilities.
Selecting the best lupus specialists may also require a thorough review of your medical insurance policy, if you have one. You will want to make sure your insurance will cover the costs of the services the specialists provides and determine whether or not you will have to pay anything out of your own pocket. You may also want to request a fee list from the specialist you are considering if you do not have insurance and ask about any available payment arrangements. This way, you can make sure you can afford a doctor's services before you go for your first appointment.
Recommendations can also factor into your decision when you are comparing lupus specialists. You may feel more confident in your choice of doctors if other patients have used him and can vouch for his skills. Likewise, you can also ask your primary care doctor for recommendations of doctors in your area who have excellent reputations for treating patients with lupus.
