With so much new information being published almost daily in the field of rheumatology, it would be nearly impossible for all rheumatologists to be up on all of the latest treatment approaches at all times. That is why it is important to be careful in selecting a rheumatologist to treat your spondylitis. Since most people with spondylitis would want to find someone who has the best training and a deep knowledge of spondylitis, the Spondylitis Association of America (SAA) would like to help.

How Do I Begin?
In some managed care plans, you will be limited to choosing from only certain doctors; in other plans, some doctors may be 'preferred' which means they belong to a network. Ask your plan administrator for a list of providers and any other additional information that might help you in choosing.

Remember that even if you are with a doctor in a plan who doesn't seem to know too much about ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or related diseases, he or she might welcome the chance to refer you to a colleague in the plan who has a special interest in this type of arthritis.

Free with SAA Membership

Member-to-Member Recommended Directory of Rheumatologists Available Online
SAA has compiled a member-to-member recommended directory of rheumatologists. Current SAA members can view the Rheumatologist Directory in Our Member Area.

A listing of all board-certifed rheumatologists can be found on the American College of Rheumatology website. Every rheumatologist listed in the SAA directory is board-certified.

A List of Questions That You May Want to Ask Your Doctor
Key Point ~ Your doctor is working for you. You and your doctor should function like a team!

• Approximately how long does a person have to wait to get an appointment?
• Do you accept patient phone calls?
• If so, when is the best time to reach you?
• What are your customary fees?
• Is full payment required at the time of the appointment?

Verify a Doctor's Credentials
Verify a doctor's credentials at the American Medical Association' s Physician Select website. This will provide you with the following information: Medical School; Year of graduation; Residency training; Primary practice; Secondary practice; Board certification.

Consider a "Get Acquainted" Appointment
Once you've narrowed down your search to a short list of doctors, you may want to set up a "get acquainted" appointment. Call the front desk to find out if the doctor is accepting new patients and if a referral is necessary. This might be the best time to ask approximately how many spondylitis patients are seen annually. Inquire whether the appointment is fee-based.