Rheumatoid arthritis management
Diagnosis, disease activity scoring at every visit, and long term medication planning.
Serving New Mexico since 2013
A diagnosis, not another year of maybe
Three board certified rheumatologists, ultrasound guided joint injections in the office, and our own infusion suite so biologic therapy does not mean a hospital day.
12 yrsin New Mexico
3board certified rheumatologists
On siteinfusion suite
Same weekfor acute flares
Conditions we treat
Inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune conditions
Most care is billed to insurance. We publish self pay rates and honor them without haggling.
Lupus and connective tissue disease
Coordinated care with nephrology and dermatology when organ systems are involved.
Gout and crystal arthritis
Joint fluid analysis in the office, acute flare treatment and a plan to prevent the next one.
Psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthritis
Evaluation of joint, spine and skin involvement with treatment matched to what is active.
Ultrasound guided joint injection
Corticosteroid or viscosupplement placed under live imaging rather than by landmark.
Infusion therapy suite
Biologic infusions in reclining chairs with a nurse on site, most appointments under three hours.
About the practice
Independent, and we still answer our own phones
Sagebrook opened in 2013 because New Mexico has too few rheumatologists and waits were running six months. All three physicians are board certified in rheumatology. We keep same week slots for acute flares, and our nurse line returns calls the same business day rather than routing through a hospital call center.
•Board certified in rheumatology, all three physicians
•On site infusion suite, no separate hospital scheduling
•Prior authorization team that tracks biologic approvals to a decision
Reviews
Patient experiences
“I spent two years being told my labs were fine. Dr. Ibarra ordered the right imaging and I had a diagnosis in three weeks.”
Lourdes V., Psoriatic arthritis
“The infusion suite has actual windows and a nurse who remembers my name. Compared to my old hospital appointments this is night and day.”
Frank R., Infusion patient, two years
“Called on a Monday with a gout flare and was seen Wednesday. They drained the joint and I could walk that afternoon.”
Miguel S., Acute flare, Rio Rancho
FAQ
Common questions
What should I bring to my first visit?
Bring all medication bottles including supplements, lab results from the past two years, and any X-ray, ultrasound or MRI images on a disc or through a records release. Images matter more than the written report, so ask the imaging center to send the actual study.
How long will it take to get a diagnosis?
Some conditions like gout are confirmed the same day with joint fluid. Autoimmune diseases often take several visits, because diagnosis depends on a pattern of symptoms, labs and imaging over time rather than one test. We will tell you at each step what we know and what we are still ruling out.
Do I need a referral to be seen?
Most PPO plans allow direct booking. HMO and many Medicare Advantage plans require a primary care referral, and our staff verifies this before your appointment. Bringing recent labs from your primary care provider often shortens the workup considerably.
How does insurance approval for biologics work?
Nearly all biologic medications require prior authorization, and many plans require trying certain drugs first. Our authorization team submits the request, tracks it, and files appeals when needed. Approvals typically take one to four weeks, and we tell you where it stands rather than leaving you to call the insurer.
Contact
Request an appointment
Send your symptoms, insurance and any recent labs, and our scheduler will call back within one business day.
Phone(233) 555-0133
Address6400 Uptown Blvd NE, Suite 410, Albuquerque, New Mexico
HoursMon to Thu 8am to 5pm, Fri 8am to 1pm, infusion suite Mon to Fri
AreaAlbuquerque, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe and Los Lunas