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Frequently asked questions

How can I make a same-day appointment with a doctor for Nephrology Consultation?

On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for a doctor for Nephrology Consultation, book an appointment, and see the doctor within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are often available, you can search for real-time availability of doctors for Nephrology Consultation in your area who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.


How can I find a doctor for Nephrology Consultation who takes my insurance?

Zocdoc lets you search specifically for doctors for Nephrology Consultation who take your insurance. Just choose your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. If you’re not sure which plan you have, you can use Zocdoc’s insurance checker to find out.


How can I book an appointment online with a doctor for Nephrology Consultation?

Zocdoc is a free online service that helps patients find doctors for Nephrology Consultation and book appointments instantly. You can search for doctors for Nephrology Consultation or any other visit reason. Then, enter your desired appointment location and choose your insurance plan. Based on that information, you’ll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, along with their available appointment slots.


How can I find a female Nephrology Consultation doctor?

When you search for Nephrology Consultation doctors on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see doctors who match your preferences.


How can I find a Nephrology Consultation doctor who sees patients after hours?

On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for Nephrology Consultation doctors with availability after 5 p.m.


How can I find a top-rated Nephrology Consultation doctor?

You can use Zocdoc to find Nephrology Consultation doctors who are highly rated by other patients. These ratings are based on verified reviews submitted by real patients. Every time a patient completes an appointment booked on Zocdoc, they’re invited to review their experience. Each review must comply with Zocdoc’s guidelines.


How can I find a video visit with a Nephrology Consultation doctor online?

Nephrology Consultation doctors on Zocdoc who see patients through online video visits will have a purple video icon on their profiles. You can also filter your search results to show only Nephrology Consultation doctors who offer video visits.


Are video visits with a Nephrology Consultation doctor online covered by my insurance?

Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same cost as in-person visits. You can search on Zocdoc specifically for Nephrology Consultation doctors who accept your insurance for video visits by selecting your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. We recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits.


How can I find a Nephrology Consultation doctor who sees patients in the morning or evening?

Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a Nephrology Consultation doctor who has appointments available before 10:00 am, or after 5:00 pm. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page.


How can I find a Nephrology Consultation doctor who sees patients during the weekend?

Zocdoc let's you see real-time availability for Nephrology Consultation doctors. Many Nephrology Consultation doctors offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.


What is a nephrologist?

A nephrologist is a kidney specialist and physician who diagnoses, treats, and manages kidney and related diseases, along with certain types of metabolic disorders.


What is a kidney doctor called? What is a kidney specialist called?

A kidney doctor is called a nephrologist. They are trained in nephrology, a specialty under internal medicine that deals with kidney care.


When should you see a nephrologist?  

Your primary care doctor usually refers you to a nephrologist if they identify a potential kidney problem. Besides, you can directly see one if you have related symptoms, such as:

  • Abnormal lab results.
  • Conditions that can raise your chance of developing a kidney condition, like diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
  • Confirmed diagnosis of chronic kidney disease.
  • Biological family history of kidney disease.
  • Chronic urinary tract infections.
  • Recurring kidney stones.
  • Foamy pee.
  • Itchy skin and joint or bone pain,

Use Zocdoc to book an appointment with a top-rated nephrologist within minutes and get a specialized evaluation and care plan.


What conditions do nephrologists treat? 

Nephrologists treat and manage a wide range of acute and chronic disorders that affect the kidneys, their function, and the body's fluid and mineral balance. Common conditions include:

  • Chronic kidney disease: Slow decline in the function of the kidneys leading to problems in removing waste and keeping blood pressure normal.
  • Kidney stones: Hard deposits of acids, minerals, and salts that form inside the kidneys, causing chronic pain and blockage.
  • Glomerulonephritis: Swelling of the tiny filters in the kidneys (glomeruli), impairing the kidneys' ability to filter waste.
  • Hyponatremia and other electrolyte imbalances: Disorders in the body's essential minerals, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium, which the kidneys help regulate.
  • Others: Nephrotic syndrome, cystic kidney disease, end-stage renal (kidney) disease, UTIs, and kidney infections.


What does a nephrologist do?

Nephrologists provide services that encompass the entire spectrum of kidney care, including:


Diagnosis and evaluation: Conducting tests to evaluate kidney function.

  • Medical management: Treating conditions with medications, dietary recommendations, and lifestyle modifications.
  • Dialysis care: Overseeing all aspects of dialysis.
  • Transplant coordination: Evaluating patients for kidney transplant suitability, managing their health before and after the surgery, and coordinating care with the transplant surgical team.
  • Managing related conditions: Treating conditions related to kidney function, like high blood pressure, fluid retention, and electrolyte and mineral imbalances.

First visit generally involves a detailed discussion of your health history, a review of lab results, and a physical exam. Then, it is followed by common kidney function tests and a biopsy in certain cases. For ongoing treatment of chronic conditions, you can expect regular follow-up appointments. These help the doctor monitor your condition and adjust the treatment plan, if needed.


Urologist vs nephrologist: What’s the difference?

While both urologists and nephrologists treat conditions related to the kidneys, they focus on different aspects of care.

A nephrologist specializes in the medical (non-surgical) management of kidney function and diseases. They commonly treat high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, electrolyte imbalances, glomerulonephritis, and kidney failure. Nephrologists also manage dialysis, perform kidney biopsies, and oversee transplant care.

A urologist, on the other hand, handles both surgical and medical treatment of the urinary tract and reproductive organs. They treat conditions like kidney stones, bladder or prostate cancer, enlarged prostate, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and male infertility. Urologists perform procedures such as removing kidney stones, prostate surgeries, vasectomies, and cystoscopies.


What types of procedures or tests do nephrologists perform?

Nephrologists perform a range of diagnostic and management-related procedures, including:

  • Blood tests: Serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and blood urea nitrogen tests.
  • Urine tests: Urinalysis, albumin/creatinine ratio, 24-hour urine collection, and creatinine clearance tests.
  • Kidney or renal biopsy: Taking a small sample of kidney tissue for diagnosis.
  • Dialysis: During dialysis, a machine removes blood, filters out waste and excess fluid, and returns it to the body. It is for patients who require life-sustaining dialysis treatments.


How do you choose the best nephrologist? 

While choosing a nephrologist, prioritize factors like the doctor's experience, hospital affiliations, and whether they accept your insurance. Additionally, don’t forget to check their office location and patient reviews. Zocdoc makes finding the best nephrologist easier by filtering specialists based on your preferences. Book your appointment today!

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.

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