Prepare For Your Visit or Neurosurgical Procedure

The Department of Neurosurgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital understands that patient care goes beyond your time at the hospital. It also includes preparations before and follow-up procedures after your visit. To help you better understand what to expect of your medical and surgical visits, we have provided the following patient education materials. We hope that these guides will make your visit and recovery more comfortable and convenient. If you still have questions, please feel free to contact your BWH neurosurgeon’s office by clicking: Contact Us.

Pre-Appointment Checklist

If you are a new patient, please bring the following to your appointment:
  1. Copies of Imaging CDs/Films, Related Test Results, and Office Notes Completed at Outside Facilities: Please bring corresponding CDs/films (MRI, CT, X-ray), related office notes, and test results completed at another facility other than Brigham and Women’s Hospital or Massachusetts General Hospital to help facilitate your care. If you would like to confirm if the physician has access to your imaging results/reports, please contact their office by clicking on the following link: Contact Us
  2. Insurance Card and Referral: Please bring your most recent valid insurance card. We will need to make a photocopy of your insurance card for our records even if we have your insurance information on file. If you are a member of an HMO or managed care plan, please call the office of your primary care provider prior to your visit and let them know that you have an appointment with your BWH Neurosurgeon so they can process a referral number for you. Our office must receive your referral prior to your appointment from the office of your primary care provider. Our phone number is 617-732-6600 and our fax number is 617-713-3050. It would be beneficial to you to keep a copy of the referral number for your own record.
  3. Co-payment: Your co-payment will be collected at the time of your visit. We accept check and all major credit cards. Please note that as of May 30, 2015, the Department will no longer accept cash payments in clinic.
  4. Completed New Patient Intake Form: Please print the appropriate New Patient Intake Form below, and fill the questionnaire for your BWH Neurosurgeon to review during your appointment.
    1. New Patient Intake Form (General)
    2. New Patient Intake Form - Spine
  5. Patient Safety Brochure: Please print the Patient Safety Brochure linked below, and bring it with you for your appointment. Please ask your BWH Neurosurgeon any questions you may have regarding patient safety or surgical risks during your appointment.
    1. Patient Safety Brochure
If this is a follow-up visit, please bring the following to your appointment:
  1. Insurance Card and Referral: Please bring your most recent valid insurance card. We will need to make a photocopy of your insurance card for our records even if we have your insurance information on file. If you are a member of an HMO or managed care plan, please call the office of your primary care provider prior to your visit and let them know that you have an appointment with your BWH Neurosurgeon so they can process a referral number for you. Our office must receive your referral prior to your appointment from the office of your primary care provider. Please contact your respective neurosurgeon's office by clicking on the following link: Contact Us. It would be beneficial to you to keep a copy of the referral number for your own record.
  2. Co-payment: Your co-payment will be collected at the time of your visit. We accept check and all major credit cards. Please note that as of May 30, 2015, the Department will no longer accept cash payments in clinic.

Our physicians are using Patient Gateway. To learn more, click here. If you already have a Patient Gateway account, sign in here.

Arriving at your Appointment

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment so we can see you as soon as possible. If you will be more than 15 minutes late to your appointment, please contact our scheduling office at 617-732-6600. Please call us 24 hours prior to your appointment time if you are unable to attend your scheduled consultation.

Being Discharged After Surgery

When you are ready to be discharged from the hospital after surgery, but your transportation has not arrived, you can comfortably wait for your ride in the Inpatient Departure Lounge, located in the 45 Francis Street Lobby. Family or friends can drive directly to the Lobby Entrance to pick you up (and avoid the cost of parking!).

The Lounge is open Monday through Friday (non-holidays), from 10 am to 6 pm, and a Departure Lounge Ambassador is available to help if you need assistance or need to contact your ride. To reach the Departure Lounge Ambassador, call 781-783-8688. View Departure Lounge flyer.

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