Neurological Surgery - For Patients

New Patients/FAQs

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How do I make an appointment to see a neurosurgeon at Loyola?

If you are already a patient within the Loyola system you may call (888) LUHS-888 and ask for the Neurological Surgery Department. Make sure to tell the scheduler why you are seeking neurological care so that we can match you with the most appropriate specialist.

If you have never seen a physician at Loyola before and are not registered within the Loyola system, you must first call (888) LUHS-888 to register. This call only takes a few minutes to complete. They will ask for your name, address, a contact person and insurance information. After they have completed the registration process, please ask them to transfer you to the Department of Neurological Surgery to make the doctor's appointment.

Which specialist should I see for my problem?

All of our physicians are trained in general neurosurgery; however, they each have special areas of interest in which they perform certain procedures more often or can offer a more complex type of treatment. For this reason, when scheduling your first appointment, it is best to talk with one of the schedulers or nurses who can assist you with making a decision. Please let us know your diagnosis, past treatment for the problem and any diagnostic work-up that you have already undergone. In certain situations, such as severe neck and back pain, having your primary care physician order an MRI before seeing the specialist may be advantageous and make your appointment more efficient. You can discuss this possibility with your primary care physician or with one of our nurses.

How can I make the most of my appointment with the neurosurgeon?

Having a list of your health problems, past surgical procedures and medications will greatly assist the staff in preparing your appointment. In addition, having current appropriate diagnostic tests, such as an MRI, CT or x-rays with you at the appointment will allow your neurosurgeon to make a diagnosis and recommend treatment options for you all in one visit. Making a list of questions before your visit can help to prompt further discussion. We encourage all of our patients to be as involved in their health care as possible. It may help to bring a family member or friend along to help you ask questions or to write down some of the information that the physician gives you.

Our nurses have a wealth of knowledge about neurological problems, diseases, treatments and other related resources. They may have written information for you to take home concerning your problem or information that they can send you by mail. Please ask the nurse if they have additional information on your neurological health problem.

How do I know that my insurance will cover the physician?

Our physician group is listed under one physician number. Thus, if your insurance plan covers one of our physicians, it should cover all of them. To clarify this information, you may reach our patient's billing office by calling (888) LUHS-888. Please have your insurance information readily available.

If you belong to an HMO, you must have a referral for your visit to be covered by your insurance. Make sure you call your referring physician well in advance of the visit so that they can have the necessary paper work ready. If it is convenient, you can bring the referral into the specialist when you check in or have it sent directly to Loyola Medical Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, Maguire Center, Room 1900, 2160 South First Avenue, Maywood, IL, 60130. You may also have your referral faxed to (708) 216-4948

How can I find out about new technology or treatment for my condition?

You can find out about available treatment options at Loyola by talking to one our nurses over the phone or discussing it at your clinical appointment. If you are interested in new treatment options or clinical trials for patients with cancer, please call the CAN-HELP line, where one of nurses specializing in cancer care will assist you.

The information on the Loyola University Health System (LUHS) Web site is for educational purposes only. It is presented in summary form in order to impart general information relating to certain diseases, ailments, physical conditions and their treatments. The information provided through the LUHS Web site should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, nor is it a substitute for professional care. Should you have any health-care related questions or suspect you have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider.

Last reviewed: April 21, 2008