FAQ | Neurosurgery located in Birmingham, AL | Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine

How long does it take to get a call back?

We aim to call back all patients within 2-3 business days of receiving a voicemail, Portal message, or other message. If you have not heard back from us, please call again to check on the status.

Do I need a referral, studies, or an MRI to be seen?

Our physicians review and triage cases in order to care for patients in the most expedient and appropriate manner. This usually requires a referral and a recent MRI. Our nurse practitioners can also help expedite workup and initial treatment.

How quickly can I get an appointment?

Appointment scheduling depends on availability. New patients can usually be seen for an appointment within 4-8 weeks. Urgent cases will be seen as soon as possible and can frequently be scheduled within a week.

What do I bring to my first appointment?

If you have had any diagnostic tests (MRI/CT/X-rays/Discogram/nerve conduction studies) performed, you will need to bring these tests with you. For x-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans, please be sure to bring the actual images (usually on a CD). The physician needs to review these studies during your visit. A copy of the CD can be obtained by contacting the facility at which your imaging was done. If you arrive without your images, your appointment may be canceled/rescheduled.

A medical history form will also be requested. You can reduce the amount of paperwork that you need to do in the office by completing the form above.

Please remember to bring your driver’s license (or other picture ID) and your insurance card.

How long will my visit last?

Please plan on approximately 2 hours for your visit. We try very hard to keep to our schedule; however, we are a surgical practice and there are times when unforeseen circumstances or emergencies prevent us from being on time. Should this be the case on your appointment day, we will notify you immediately and ask you to please be patient.

If tests are ordered, how long will I have to wait until I get results?

Generally, it takes up to 2 weeks to receive imaging or other test results. Your physician reviews the actual images and does not rely only on a report. This does cause some delay in getting results as we must wait for the study to arrive by mail, but it allows for more accurate diagnosis and treatment. Please be patient, but if you have concerns, feel free to contact us.