Your knees ache before you're even out of bed, and the blood work keeps coming back with words like 'inflammatory markers.' Finding a rheumatologist in Seattle who actually listens, not just prescribes, matters more than a five-minute search suggests. The rheumatologists in Seattle on this page are reviewed only lightly, just 31 reviews between the three of them, so every single rating here is worth its own look before you book.
Short answer: Uchechukwu M. Obih, MD holds a perfect 5.0 across 11 reviews at Swedish's downtown rheumatology clinic, praised for patient, collaborative care. Seattle Rheumatology Associates, PLLC (4.0, 12 reviews) is home to longtime scleroderma specialist Dr. Daniel Furst, and Percy Balderia, MD (4.0, 8 reviews) at Virginia Mason gets credit for catching diagnoses other rheumatologists missed. Expect a standard specialist copay under most insurance plans regardless of which one you pick.
Health information disclaimer: This directory is informational only and not medical advice. Rankings reflect publicly available Google ratings and review volume, not clinical outcomes. Verify any practitioner’s credentials and registration with the relevant medical board before booking.
How we scored these rheumatologists
Rating is each doctor’s live Google average. Review volume shows how many patients actually left a rating, weighed against everyone else on this list. Confidence blends the two, so a 5.0 from 3 reviews doesn’t outrank a 4.8 from 300. Recency checks how recently people are still reviewing, and completeness just means we could verify a real website, phone number, and hours. No rheumatologist can pay to change any of these numbers.
What does a rheumatologist visit cost in Seattle? (2026)
We couldn’t find trustworthy, current published pricing specific to rheumatology visits in Seattle, so we’re not going to guess. What actually drives your cost is your insurance plan’s specialist copay or coinsurance, whether the visit is a new-patient workup with bloodwork and imaging, and whether ongoing treatment includes infusions or biologic injections, which are billed separately and can add up. Call the clinic’s billing office directly with your insurance details before booking.
Rheumatology care across Seattle
All three practices sit within a few miles of each other in central Seattle, clustered around First Hill and downtown, an area sometimes called Seattle’s ‘Pill Hill’ for its concentration of hospitals. If you’re searching for a rheumatologist near me from Capitol Hill, Belltown, or the Central District, any of these three are a short drive or bus ride away, and both Swedish and Virginia Mason have satellite locations further out for follow-up visits.
What to ask before you book a rheumatologist
- Do you take my insurance plan, and what’s a typical specialist copay here?
- How long is a first appointment, and will you order labs or imaging that day?
- If I need a biologic or infusion, is that done in-office or at a separate infusion center?
- How do you handle refill requests and urgent flare-ups between appointments?
- Can I get a referral to a physical or occupational therapist if I need one?
- How soon can I get a follow-up appointment if my symptoms change?
Frequently asked questions
Are these rankings paid?
No. Rankings come from public Google data, ratings and review volume. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position.
How did you choose these three rheumatologists?
We pulled every rheumatology practice in Seattle with a real Google Business Profile, then ranked by rating, review volume, and how recently patients are still reviewing. Only real practices with a verifiable phone number and website made the cut.
How often is this updated?
We last verified this data in July 2026. Ratings and review counts can shift, so treat this as a snapshot, not a permanent ranking.
Do I need a referral to see a rheumatologist in Seattle?
Many insurance plans require a referral from a primary care doctor before covering a rheumatology visit. Call your insurer or the clinic directly to check your plan’s rules.
What conditions do rheumatologists in Seattle typically treat?
Based on the practices here, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, lupus, and other autoimmune and joint conditions are common. The right fit depends on your specific diagnosis.
The bottom line
For most people, Uchechukwu M. Obih, MD is the safe default: a perfect rating, a collaborative approach, and a hospital system behind her. If you’re dealing with a rarer autoimmune disease like scleroderma, Seattle Rheumatology Associates’ depth of experience is worth the extra look. Either way, call ahead to confirm your insurance covers the visit before you book.
