No Neurologists Available?

[Anonymous]

I can't find any neurologists in the DMV who are taking new patients. Any advice? I have Carefirst, but I am willing to go out of network.

When my doctor referred me she warned it could take months to get in, but I can't even get an appointment. Medstar told me flat out no appointments, only waitlist. GW had one person who's booking for March 2025. Several independent practices said no new patients or didn't even answer the phone or email.

Has anybody gone out of state in this situation? Or paid out of pocket? I don't know how much a consult costs, but I think I am willing to pay. My medical issue is affecting quality of life and my job on a daily basis so waiting until March would be painful.

[Anonymous]

I see one of the doctors at The Neurology Center. They have several locations.

[Anonymous]

Same here. I arguably started consulting there over two years ago, and at the time they were taking new patients.

[Anonymous]

Have you looked for ones "not participating" in insurance? You pay $$$$ upfront, file and do get a bit back or toward your deductible. Can your PCP help get you in somewhere?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see one of the doctors at The Neurology Center. They have several locations.

Thank you to the people who suggested this. I have not been able to get them on the phone and no response to email. You make me hopeful perhaps I will hear back next week.

[Anonymous]

Inova Fairfax?

[Anonymous]

Paying out of pocket won't necessarily get you in any sooner. I had to wait four months to see a neurologist. I had to wait 6 months to see a sleep doc after the sleep study the neurologist ordered came back with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Both were Medstar. You may have more luck with Inova or VHC. I'm in Virginia, not familiar with Maryland.

[Anonymous]

Inova - about 6 month booking

Ask whether you can get on a waitlist or call for cancellations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Paying out of pocket won't necessarily get you in any sooner. I had to wait four months to see a neurologist. I had to wait 6 months to see a sleep doc after the sleep study the neurologist ordered came back with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Both were Medstar. You may have more luck with Inova or VHC. I'm in Virginia, not familiar with Maryland.

Thank you for pointing out. It's good to know what is/not likely to help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Inova - about 6 month booking

Ask whether you can get on a waitlist or call for cancellations.

Thank you for the highly relevant data point!

[Anonymous]

The lack of access to care is really bad, OP. I have an endocrinologist. But I could only make an appointment for Feb 2025, for a current issue! It's only when I begged for an earlier appointment due to alarming symptoms that she got me a cancellation last week. And you know how I got into an endocrinologist's office in the first place, years ago? By landing in the ER then ICU during a thyroid storm (an acute condition that can be fatal in short order).

You need to be at death's door to be seen around here.

[Anonymous]

Try inova Fairfax. Took me months, but just got in as a new patient.

[Anonymous]

Its normal to take six months to get in. Beg if its somethign serious or cannot wait. I usually wait 3-4 months for follow ups.

[Anonymous]

I heard from my daughter’s vestibular therapist that Dr. Natalia Kayloe has available appointments. Unfortunately she does not see teens or we would have used her.

For pediatric neurology, we have had luck with Dr. Sonar Patel at Magnificent Minds.

And yes, the wait lists are out of control. My daughter developed vestibular neuritis after COVID, and Hopkins could not see her until August 2025.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see one of the doctors at The Neurology Center. They have several locations.

Thank you to the people who suggested this. I have not been able to get them on the phone and no response to email. You make me hopeful perhaps I will hear back next week.

Just keep calling. People used to be able to message their doctor on the patient portal, but this option is no longer in place, so I assume they are dealing with more calls and perhaps less staff.