301-562-7200
Can I have a test on the same day that I have my appointment with the neurologist?
Diagnostic testing is generally scheduled separately from your office visit. However, depending upon the modality of the test your doctor ordered and need for insurance preauthorization, we are very happy to offer a same-day opening if requested.
Do you charge a fee for form completion?
We recognize that from time to time you may need to have a medical form completed by your physician. Our fee for this service ranges from $30 - $150 depending on the number of pages that need to be completed and the complexity of the form. To ensure we are able to meet any deadlines you are encountering please make sure you allow 10 business days to complete forms.
Do you have a wait-list?
We do utilize a wait list. Typically we are able to move patients to sooner appointments but there is no guarantee. When a slot opens up we contact patients on the wait list to see if they wish to move their appointment to the earlier time slot. Our automated reminder system may also prompt you to add yourself to the wait list. In these circumstances you would be notified via text message when a slot becomes available, allowing you to accept the offering or remain on the wait list.
Do you have information on my neurological problem?
Information on some of the conditions our physicians treat can be found on the Neurological Conditions page.
Do you have weekend hours?
We do not typically offer weekend appointments. Our regular hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.
How do I cancel my appointment?
Should you need to cancel your appointment, please call the office at 301-562-7200, option 1 for our scheduling team. We also use automated reminders that allow you to cancel appointments directly from the text notification. Failure to give 24 hours/one business day notification may result in a fee that will need to be paid prior to scheduling future appointments.
How do I ask my provider a question?
If your question is urgent and cannot wait until your appointment, please call the office. You will need to provide detailed information so that the physician can respond and have a staff member relay the information to you. In some cases, you will be asked to schedule an appointment.
How do I obtain prescription refills?
It's always best to request refills during your office visit so please review any medications prescribed by one of our providers prior to your scheduled visit. We require all patients to be seen at least once a year in order to continue prescribing ANY medications. If it has been more than a year since you've seen one of our providers and you need a refill, please contact the office to schedule an appointment. If you require a prescription refill between office visits, please contact your pharmacy and request a refill, allowing 2 business days for your request to be processed. They can send the information electronically to our office and we can quickly approve. Please note that our physicians will NOT refill a prescription for a controlled substance after hours or on weekends.
Is my neurologist available after hours or over a weekend/holiday?
If you're experiencing a medical emergency, you should call 911 immediately. For routine questions, please contact the office during regular business hours.
What if I want to see another doctor in the practice?
Here at The Neurology Center we pride ourselves in upholding continuity of care. While our doctors do not provide second opinions for established patients seen by a colleague, they will consider a doctor switch when conditions support a reasonable need. The doctors will review the patient’s chart and if they feel that value will be added to a patient’s treatment plan, they will approve the doctor switch. Should a request for a doctor switch be declined, the patient always has the option to seek care outside the practice. If a patient makes the decision to leave our practice due to a switch denial, we will be happy to supply a copy of the medical record to ensure a smooth transition. Since some of our physicians have subspecialty expertise, your primary neurologist may recommend you consult one of his/her colleagues for advice or transferal of care as it best serves the patient.
What if my neurologist is out of the office?
During business hours, our providers in the office provide coverage for those who are out of the office.
What insurance plans do you accept?
We participate with Medicare and with most of the major carriers in this area. We do not participate with any Medicaid programs. If you have an HMO which requires a referral to a specialist, it is your responsibility to obtain that referral and bring it with you to the visit. Please see our listing of participating carriers for more information. It is your responsibility to check your specific benefits and cost sharing with your insurance carrier.
What is the education and training of the neurologists in your practice?
Biographies and curriculum vitae of each of our Physicians, Neuropsychologists and Advanced Practice Providers are available.
What languages, other than English, are spoken within your practice?
We have physicians that speak the following languages:
- Mandarin: Dr. C. Debbie Lin
- Hebrew: Dr. Rhanni Herzfeld, Dr. David Taragin
- Arabic: Dr. Nabil Altememi
- Gujarati : Dr. Aman Savani
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please register on our Patient Portal prior to your appointment. Once you are registered you can submit all the necessary pre-appointment forms online. By submitting your intake forms online in advance of your appointment, you help streamline your experience in the office. Please bring your insurance ID card, a current photo ID, and any referral or testing order you might have been given by your referring physician. If your insurance requires a referral, it is your responsibility to obtain it and bring it to the visit. Also bring a list of all medications and supplements you are taking, and the results of any recent testing pertaining to the condition you want the neurologist to evaluate.
What should I expect during the initial appointment and how long will I be there?
The consultation visit with the neurologist (if no additional testing is involved) should last 30-60 minutes, on average. This depends on your chief medical complaint, as well as the complexity of your medical history and other factors. The actual length of the visit will vary patient by patient. The neurologist will review your chief complaint, past medical history, family and social history, current listing of medications and allergies. They will give you a physical exam, including a specific neurological exam. At the conclusion of the visit, the physician may request certain lab or other diagnostic tests to identify or rule out certain diagnoses. Initial prescriptions or sample medications may be provided. A follow-up visit may be scheduled to review lab and/or test results with you.
What form of payment do you accept? What will I have to pay at my first appointment?
We collect all co-pays and outstanding deductibles at the time of service. If you have Medicare coverage but no secondary coverage, we collect the 20% co-insurance at the time of service. We accept checks (no second party checks) and credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express). We do NOT accept cash.
Why do you charge no show fees?
We charge a no show fee if you fail to give 24 hours/one business day advance notice of a cancellation. With appropriate notice, we can offer your appointment slot to another patient who wishes to be seen. Without enough notice, the time that you have reserved with the physician or for a test goes unused.
With which hospitals are The Neurology Center physicians affiliated?
The Neurology Center physicians are not affiliated nor provide inpatient services at any local hospitals. If you are admitted to the hospital, please be sure to let your hospital physician know that you are a current patient at The Neurology Center and they will contact us directly if they need any information.