Initial Consultation: During your consultation, an examination will be performed and your history will be discussed in detail. Tests may be ordered depending upon the symptoms that are presented. We offer many tests at our center and if we have the availability, a same day test may be scheduled. Possible treatment options will be discussed and prescriptions may be prescribed if appropriate.
Follow-up: If you are a new patient, your follow up is scheduled after your tests have been ordered and the center has obtained those results. A treatment plan is created to help manage your symptoms. Every patient is unique, so our treatment plans are individualized. For existing patients, follow ups and the frequency of the follow up appointments are determined by the provider.
Testing: Our center offers tests so that our patients do not have to travel to multiple facilities to complete their testing. We offer the following tests: EEG tests, EMG tests, VNG tests, and Doppler Tests. Routine test results are only reviewed during the follow up visit. If our providers are concerned about an abnormality, one of the providers will contact you.
Cognitive Assessments: A cognitive assessment evaluates important areas of brain function.These include: memory, concentration, processing speed, language, perceptual and motor skills. and reasoning capabilities. These tests help our clinical team track your progress from your consultation appointment throughout the various stages of therapy. Our center offers the test to our patients via an online platform that may be completed in the comfort of your own home, or we can provide the test in our private consultation room within our center!
Paperwork: Our center requires that new patients fill out the new patient packet. This packet is sent via email prior to your appointment. The paperwork should be completed prior to your initial consultation and returned via email. All appointments require paperwork to be signed at the center.
Please bring to your appointment your insurance card, physician referral forms (if required), any recent X-rays and appropriate records.
Center Policies: Please DO NOT wear cologne, perfume, or scented lotions to the center. If you are 15 minutes late to your appointment, there is a chance that you will be seen by a different provider other than the one that you scheduled with. Keep in mind that appointments that are 15 minutes or more late may have to be rescheduled to another day or time.
Prescriptions and Refills Office Policy:
1) If you are overdue for an appointment, your prescription may not be called in. You should have a follow up appointment scheduled as deemed by your provider at least every 6 months for regular prescriptions and every 3 months for controlled substances.
2) Routine prescriptions will not be filled after hours or on an emergency basis.
3) Narcotics and sleeping medications cannot be called in and are written only at the time of an office visit, so please do not allow these prescriptions to run out without an office visit scheduled.
Insurance: The Manhattan Center for Headache & Neurology participates with the following insurance plans: Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, United Healthcare, Oxford, and The Empire Plan from UnitedHealthcare. Contact our front desk to begin the benefit verification process so that the center may confirm the participation status with your insurance carrier. Any charges not covered by insurance will be your responsibility. We do not participate with Medicaid. We request payment at the time of your appointment. Your insurance company may also require you to pay a copayment, coinsurance, and or deductible. Your out of pocket fees are due at the time of your appointment. If a medication or a procedure requires an authorization, the center will assist to obtain an authorization required by your insurance company.
Electronic communications with providers may at times be billed to insurance carriers based on time spent addressing clinical concerns and/or the complexity involved. A copay may be due based on your insurance contract requirements
If you require completion of any additional employment, insurance or legal forms, you will be charged a fee.
Emergencies/After-Hour Calls: During regular office hours (Monday through Saturday), call the office for your healthcare issues. For all emergencies outside of office hours, call the office phone number and speak to our operator and or go immediately to the nearest emergency room.
Missed Appointments: We try to allow as much time as each patient needs to discuss current problems and therefore we do not overbook. We typically have a waiting list for new patients. Therefore, we ask you to confirm your appointment 48 hours in advance. If an appointment is missed or not canceled 48 hours in advance, your credit card will be charged $75 for a follow-up visit and $175 for an initial visit and $200 for testing appointments.
Communication with our center and providers: The Manhattan Center for Headache & Neurology encourages our patients to call during business hours. If you have an emergency, leave a message with our front desk. We will do our best to return your call within 24 hours. You are strongly encouraged to use our office emails. These emails are monitored daily and the center will respond quickly. Please note the below emails:
Provider Emails:
Audrey Halpern, MD ahalpernmd@mchnnyc.com
Yoni Dokko, MD: ydokkomd@mchnnyc.com
Jordan Shankle, PA: jshanklepa@mchnnyc.com
Alice Wong, NP: awongnp@mchnnyc.com
Brooke Steiger, NP: bsteigernp@mchnnyc.com
Group Emails:
Emails for scheduling appointments and to reach our front desk staff members: answering@mchnnyc.com
Email questions for our staff: staff@mchnyc.com
Email for new patient intake packets: office@mchnnyc.com
Email for medical records request: records@mchnnyc.com