My clinic is relocating; what steps should I take?
Our Wheaton office will be closing on August 29, 2025. Click here to learn more. For additional questions or concerns, please contact our offices at 301.942.7600.
How can I make an appointment?
Appointments can be scheduled online at www.arapc.com, by calling 301.942.7600 or through the patient portal.
What do rheumatologists treat?
Rheumatologists are Internal Medicine doctors with further specialization in Arthritis and Autoimmune diseases (when the immune system attacks healthy tissues). Rheumatologists treat conditions including but not limited to Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Sjögren’s Syndrome, Myositis, Scleroderma, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, and Vasculitis. They can also treat more severe cases of Osteoporosis. Additionally, they can treat musculoskeletal disorders, including Osteoarthritis, Gout, Tendinitis, and Bursitis. For more information, click here.
Are there conditions that ARA providers do not treat?
ARA providers do not specialize in the treatment of the following non-rheumatic conditions:
- Chronic Lyme disease
- Post-COVID syndrome
- Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
- Chronic pain syndrome
- Myalgic encephalitis (chronic fatigue syndrome)
- Mast cell activation syndrome
In addition, many chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic myofascial pain, osteopenia, and mild osteoporosis do not generally require the long-term services of ARA providers. However, some of these conditions can be addressed through ARTS department.
What insurance plans do you accept?
Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates (ARA) participates with most commercial insurance plans, Medicare and several other insurance plans. You can confirm that we participate in your insurance plan by calling 301-942-3126 or by viewing the list of insurance plans we accept.
How do I cancel my appointment?
Appointments may be canceled through appointment reminders sent via email and text or by calling the ARA Call Center at 301-942-7600. Appointment changes, including rescheduling or canceling an appointment must occur during ARA’s business hours (Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm). If an appointment is canceled after hours for the next business day, it will be subject to a cancellation fee.
What should I expect during the initial appointment?
At your initial consultation visit, the provider will review your medical history and develop a diagnostic/treatment plan to meet your individual needs. You may require Laboratory Testing or X-rays, which are provided on-site for your convenience. Your initial appointment may last up to one or two hours. At the visit’s end, the provider may request lab or other diagnostic tests to help evaluate your condition.
How do I ask my provider a question?
If you have an urgent question that cannot wait until your appointment, please call the office. You will need to provide detailed information so the physician can respond, and a staff member will relay the information to you. The most efficient way to ask our practice a non-urgent question is through the patient portal. You will receive a response within three business days. Any significant medical issues must be addressed with an appointment.
How do I obtain prescription refills?
The most efficient way to request prescription refills is through the patient portal. Please review your refill needs with your rheumatologist during your appointment.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please complete the necessary forms online or bring a hard copy to your appointment.
In addition, please bring:
- Insurance card and photo ID
- Referral from your doctor
- Any radiological films and reports you would like us to review during your appointment
- Co-payment or deductible payment
If you need to cancel an appointment, we require 24 hours’ notice. New patients should arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled visit time.
Do you have a waitlist?
Yes. When an appointment becomes available, we contact patients on the wait list by text message to see if they wish to move to an earlier time slot.
Is my rheumatologist available after hours or over the weekend/holiday?
ARA offices are open Monday-Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm. As of 1/2/2025, ARA clinicians no longer provide on-call services. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911. If you are returning a call, please call during our normal business hours. For after hours questions pertaining to your appointment, please utilize the patient portal, which will be checked during normal business hours.
What if my rheumatologist is out of the office?
During business hours ARA providers offer coverage for those who are away from the office. Non-urgent clinical matters can be addressed upon your provider’s return.
What tests are done at the office?
State and federally licensed laboratory and X-ray facilities are available at our location. This allows for efficient and convenient evaluation of medical problems and ensures that your physician can review the results in a timely fashion. View a list of common labs ordered by rheumatologists.
May I have a test on the same day that I have my appointment with the rheumatologist?
In most cases yes, but this depends on staffing and the type of test. Our goal is to make your visit as efficient as possible.
Why do you charge no-show fees?
We charge a no-show fee when an appointment is not cancelled within 24 hours/one business day in advance. With appropriate notice, we can offer your appointment to another patient in need. Without notice, the time you have reserved with your provider goes unused. There is a $200 fee for new patient appointments and a $50 fee for follow up appointments.
What form of payment do you accept? What will I have to pay at my first appointment?
We accept credit cards – Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, cash, and checks. We ask you to pay the deductible, co-insurance, or co-payment at the time of service.
Do you have information on my rheumatologic condition?
Information on many of the conditions our clinicians treat is available on the Common Rheumatic Diseases and Musculoskeletal Conditions page. Additionally, through the patient portal you can launch the patient education tool and have access to Medline Plus, an online health information resource for patients and their families. You have access to the world’s largest medical library at your fingertips!
What if I want to see another provider in the practice?
At ARA, we prioritize continuity of care. Transfers between providers are considered for location purposes only and should be discussed with your current provider. If you choose to seek care outside of the practice, we will provide a copy of your medical record for a smooth transition.
What languages, other than English, are spoken within your practice?
Our providers are as diverse as the patient population ARA serves. We have providers that speak the following languages:
- Amharic: Dr. Adey Berhanu
- Cantonese: Dr. Eva Rottmann and Dr. Louisa Ziglar
- Egyptian Arabic: Dr. Daniel El-Bogdadi and Norhan Abdalla, PA-C
- French: Dr. Rachel Kaiser
- Gujarati: Alisha Zaveri, PA-C
- Hebrew: Dr. Shari Diamond
- Hindi: Dr. Nitasha Kumar
- Korean: Dr. Grace Ahn and Jisoo Jang, PA-C
- Russian: Dr. Sonia Silinsky Krupnikova
- Spanish: Dr. Angus Worthing and many of our staff members also speak Spanish. Conversational Spanish: Dr. Adey Berhanu and Alisha Zaveri, PA-C
- Tagalog: Dr. Guada Respicio Duque
- Vietnamese: Jenny Le-Prejean, PA-C
With which hospitals are ARA providers affiliated?
The providers at ARA are not affiliated with any local hospitals and do not offer inpatient consultation services. If you are admitted to the hospital, please inform your hospital physician that you are a current patient at ARA. They will contact us directly if they require any information.
What does it mean for me if I see a physician at ARA who has a physician assistant (PA)?
PAs are medical professionals who diagnose illnesses, develop and manage treatment plans, and prescribe medications. Due to the collaborative physician-PA relationship, you have the benefit of two healthcare providers reviewing your lab results and managing your medication regimen.
New patients will meet with both providers for the first two appointments. Subsequent follow up appointments will be alternating between physician and PA.