OBJECTIVES:: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the prevalent autoimmune inflammatory arthritis found in adults, with worldwide prevalence ranging from 0.4% to 1.3%. Currently biologic agents and conventional disease modifying RA drugs (DMARDs) are available as treatment for RA; conventional DMARDs have proven efficacy in the management of RA and remain as a valid treatment option, additionally they are much less expensive than biologic DMARDs.The aim of this study was to describe the financial impact by using conventional DMARDs therapy in a specialized RA center in Colombia.  METHODS:: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed. We included patients with diagnosis of RA that were under conventional DMARDs therapy. Clinical follow-up was designed by the authors according to DAS28 as follows: every 3-5 weeks (DAS28 > 5.1), every 7-9 weeks (DAS28 ≥ 3.1 and ≤ 5.1), and every 11-13 weeks (DAS28 < 3.1). Therapy had to be adjusted with DAS28 > 3.2 unless patient´s conditions don’t permit it; we considered this follow-up type as implementation of a T2T strategy in patients with RA. RESULTS::  Between 2011 and 2016 we reviewed the records from 4049 patients with RA receiving conventional DMARDs; 84% were women and 16% were men. Mean age was 62 ± 11 years old; finally the goal of remission or low disease activity was achieved and maintained by 78% of our RA patients. These results enable the optimization of resources due to the prevention of using biological therapy saving during this five year period 7.535.000 US dollars. CONCLUSIONS::  Our results showed that the use of care model and our T2T strategy using conventional DMARDs therapy is a cost-effective approach that allows us to prevent switching to biological therapy. Also, this study is a clear example of how a T2T strategy could accomplish considerable money savings for Health System.