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Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD

Accepting New Patients
(Dr. Sheila Arvikar, M.D.)
Specializes in: Adult Rheumatology
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Professional interests include: rheumatoid arthritis, lyme disease
52 Second Avenue Suite 2600
Waltham, MA 02451

Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD is a rheumatologist in Waltham, MA specializing in adult rheumatology. She graduated from University of Massachusetts Medical School. Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD is affiliated with Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.

View Doctor's Full Profile (781) 487-6006

Office Locations

52 Second Avenue Suite 2600
Waltham, MA 02451
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55 Fruit Street Yawkey 4b
Boston, MA 02114
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Some issues Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD can help you with:

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a condition caused by bacteria (borrelia burgdorferi) that are transmitted via infected ticks. Most cases of Lyme disease are found in the United States East Coast and parts of the Midwest. The three main vectors of transmission for Lyme disease are:

  • Blacklegged (deer) ticks, which spread Lyme disease in the Northeastern, North -Central, and mid-Atlantic United States.
  • Western blacklegged ticks, which spread Lyme disease in the Pacific and Coastal regions of the United States.
  • A mother infected with Lyme disease may pass it onto a fetus.

As background, ticks lay on the tops of grass and brush, clutching onto leaves with their legs and with their arms outstretched. This formation is called "questing" and allows ticks to quickly latch onto passers-by. Within two hours of biting a person's skin, the tick slowly begins to feed from the blood of its host, which can transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. This tick activity generally occurs seasonally and tick bites mostly occur during the springtime.

After being infected, people with Lyme disease may develop symptoms like fever, exhaustion, headache, joint aches, and skin rash, usually three to thirty days after the tick bite. Lyme disease is characterized by a particular skin rash called erythema migrans, which is an enlarged red rash that starts at the site of the tick bite and expands outwards. The rash is a strong indicator that someone has developed or is at risk of developing Lyme disease.

In the following few months, symptoms may worsen and progress to include:

  • Facial palsy (facial droop)
  • Headache and neck pain
  • Arthritis
  • Nerve pain and numbness
  • Spinal and brain inflammation
  • Abnormal heart rhythm (Lyme carditis)

Most cases of Lyme disease dissipate over a few months. Lyme disease may be cured by a course of oral antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or doxycycline. Other treatments may include:

  • Nerve blocking drugs for pain, such as gabapentin
  • Topical ointments for rashes

People can take action to prevent Lyme disease by exercising caution when in environments with ticks. Using insect repellant and wearing long socks and protecting clothing can help prevent tick bites. Outdoor enthusiasts should regularly perform "tick checks," evaluating their skin for small ticks, especially in areas where ticks may easily burrow. Showering within two hours of returning indoors also can reduce the likelihood of developing Lyme disease.

In The News 

“Sheila Arvikar, MD, a rheumatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, points out that risk of tooth loss increases with age for many reasons, regardless of RA, as noted in the study. "”—"Rheumatoid Arthritis and Tooth Loss?", MedPage Today, January 2019

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 36

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD treated as a rheumatologist in Waltham, MA during 2013 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 91
hospital care 35
inpatient care 35

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD.

Gender
Male 31
Female 36
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 56
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 28
From 75 to 84 18
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD in 2013

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 60
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 40
Depression 43
Chronic Kidney Disease 45
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 19
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 37
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 43
Dementia 21
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD treated as a rheumatologist in Waltham, MA during 2014 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 156
hospital care 13
inpatient care 13

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD.

Gender
Male 41
Female 50
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 78
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 34
From 75 to 84 28
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD in 2014

Hypertension 69
High Cholesterol 49
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 34
Depression 37
Chronic Kidney Disease 30
Asthma 14
Osteoperosis 16
Atrial Fibrilation 14
Heart Failure 26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 12
Diabetes 30
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD treated as a rheumatologist in Waltham, MA during 2015 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 179
hospital care 49
inpatient care 49

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD.

Gender
Male 98
Female 126
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 186
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 86
From 75 to 84 62
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD in 2015

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 47
Stroke 10
Ischemic Heart Disease 41
Depression 40
Chronic Kidney Disease 40
Asthma 21
Osteoperosis 17
Atrial Fibrilation 14
Heart Failure 32
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 19
Diabetes 36
Dementia 18
Cancer 17

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD treated as a rheumatologist in Waltham, MA during 2016 were aspiration and injections.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration 11
doctor visit 184
injections 11

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD.

Gender
Male 37
Female 54
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 75
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 36
From 75 to 84 26
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD in 2016

Hypertension 69
High Cholesterol 45
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 35
Depression 32
Chronic Kidney Disease 34
Asthma 21
Osteoperosis 22
Atrial Fibrilation 15
Heart Failure 25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 14
Diabetes 33
Dementia 0
Cancer 12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD treated as a rheumatologist in Waltham, MA during 2017 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 147
hospital care 33
inpatient care 33

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD.

Gender
Male 31
Female 60
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 74
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 39
From 75 to 84 17
85 and over 11
Less than 65 24

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD in 2017

Hypertension 70
High Cholesterol 48
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 40
Depression 40
Chronic Kidney Disease 36
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 22
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 18
Diabetes 29
Dementia 14
Cancer 13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD treated as a rheumatologist in Waltham, MA during 2018 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 170
hospital care 47
inpatient care 47

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD.

Gender
Male 46
Female 83
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 108
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 44
From 75 to 84 41
85 and over 14
Less than 65 30

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD in 2018

Hypertension 67
High Cholesterol 45
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 36
Depression 30
Chronic Kidney Disease 40
Asthma 15
Osteoperosis 20
Atrial Fibrilation 13
Heart Failure 22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 18
Diabetes 26
Dementia 16
Cancer 16

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD treated as a rheumatologist in Waltham, MA during 2019 were hospital care, inpatient care, aspiration and injections.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD for Medicare patients.

aspiration 16
doctor visit 241
hospital care 70
injections 16
inpatient care 70

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD.

Gender
Male 61
Female 106
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 139
Black 11
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 66
From 75 to 84 41
85 and over 23
Less than 65 37

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD in 2019

Hypertension 68
High Cholesterol 52
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 41
Depression 30
Chronic Kidney Disease 40
Asthma 16
Osteoperosis 23
Atrial Fibrilation 16
Heart Failure 28
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 16
Diabetes 34
Dementia 17
Cancer 11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD treated as a rheumatologist in Waltham, MA during 2020 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 178
hospital care 86
inpatient care 86

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD.

Gender
Male 63
Female 110
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 144
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 71
From 75 to 84 37
85 and over 23
Less than 65 42

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD in 2020

Hypertension 64
High Cholesterol 54
Stroke 6
Ischemic Heart Disease 39
Depression 36
Chronic Kidney Disease 42
Asthma 16
Osteoperosis 23
Atrial Fibrilation 18
Heart Failure 25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 12
Diabetes 26
Dementia 20
Cancer 12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD treated as a rheumatologist in Waltham, MA during 2021 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 318
hospital care 53
inpatient care 53

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD.

Gender
Male 73
Female 150
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 191
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 100
From 75 to 84 54
85 and over 24
Less than 65 45

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD in 2021

Hypertension 57
High Cholesterol 48
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 37
Depression 30
Chronic Kidney Disease 31
Asthma 12
Osteoperosis 22
Atrial Fibrilation 13
Heart Failure 21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 9
Diabetes 22
Dementia 11
Cancer 12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD treated as a rheumatologist in Waltham, MA during 2022 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 374
hospital care 29
inpatient care 29

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD.

Gender
Male 81
Female 190
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 242
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 13
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 125
From 75 to 84 83
85 and over 19
Less than 65 44

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD in 2022

Hypertension 65
High Cholesterol 67
Stroke 8
Ischemic Heart Disease 27
Depression 28
Chronic Kidney Disease 24
Asthma 19
Osteoperosis 27
Atrial Fibrilation 17
Heart Failure 17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 13
Diabetes 20
Dementia 5
Cancer 15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD treated as a rheumatologist in Waltham, MA were hospital care, inpatient care, aspiration and injections.

aspiration 13
doctor visit 188
hospital care 46
injections 13
inpatient care 46

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD.

Gender
Male 51
Female 87
Ethnicity
Black / African American 1
Asian / Pacific Islander 0
Non-Hispanic White 117
Hispanic 0
Native American / Alaskan Native 0
Other 1
Age
75 to 84 37
85 and over 10
Less than 65 20
65 to 74 57

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension 61
High Cholesterol 46
Stroke 2
Ischemic Heart Disease 33
Depression 31
Chronic Kidney Disease 32
Asthma 12
Osteoporosis 19
Heart Failure 23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 11
Diabetes 27
Atrial Fibrillation 10
Cancer 9
Dementia 11

Education & Training

Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD graduated from University of Massachusetts Medical School. She completed residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is certified by the Rheumatology, American Board of Internal Medicine and has a state license in Massachusetts.

Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School

Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital

Board Certification: Rheumatology, American Board of Internal Medicine

Licensed In: Massachusetts

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Newton-Wellesley Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, MultiPlan, Tufts Health Plan, United Healthcare, Aetna, TRICARE, Medicare, Medicaid, Humana, Railroad Medicare, Coventry, Cigna, Blue California, Beech Street, WellPoint, Medicare ACO, WellSense, Senior Whole Health, Fallon Health, Commonwealth Care Alliance, Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare, Maine Community Health Options, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, MassHealth and WellSense NH.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
MultiPlan
Tufts Health Plan
United Healthcare
Aetna
TRICARE
Medicare
Medicaid
Humana
Railroad Medicare
Coventry
Cigna
Blue California
Beech Street
WellPoint
Medicare ACO
WellSense
Senior Whole Health
Fallon Health
Commonwealth Care Alliance
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
Maine Community Health Options
Mass General Brigham Health Plan
MassHealth
WellSense NH

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 50 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Waltham, MA. 

5
Overall Rating
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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Sheila L. Arvikar, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

Payments by Company
AbbVie, Inc. $307 Lupron
$221
$87
Types of Payments
Grant $221
Food and Beverage $87

Biography

Dr. Sheila Arvikar is a medical specialist in adult rheumatology. She is especially interested in lyme disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Arvikar is rated highly by her patients. Blue California, Coventry, and Viant are among the insurance carriers that Dr. Arvikar honors. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and then she performed her residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. Her professional affiliations include Massachusetts General Hospital and Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Dr. Arvikar has an open panel in Boston, MA according to Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

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