Conditions we treat
Migraine
Chronic migraine
Menstrual headaches
Tension-type headache
Hemicrania continua
Exertional headaches
Cervicogenic headaches
Retinal migraine
Occipital neuralgia
Headaches in pregnancy
Cluster headache
Trigeminal neuralgia
Facial pain
Post-concussive/post-traumatic headaches
Pediatric migraine
Recurrent headaches in children and adolescents
Brain Health
Insomnia/Sleep disorders
Non-Sport Concussions
Services we provide
New Patient Consultation - In person - 60 minutes - $650
During a new patient consultation, we review your prior medical records and perform a full history and neurological exam. Please bring a list of the medications you have tried and any prior medical records you may have. We will also discuss your possible diagnoses and formulate a personalized plan for you.
Follow-up Visit - In Person - 30 minutes - $325
During a follow-up visit, we go over your progress, your questions, and any test results. We review your personalized plan and fine tune your treatment.
Follow-up Visit - Virtual - 30 minutes - $325
During a follow-up visit, we go over your progress, your questions, and any test results. We review your personalized plan and fine tune your treatment. Please ensure you are in a location with stable internet connection in safe and private settings.
Acute Visit - In Person - 20 minutes - $350
Acute visits are made by phone call if you are stuck in a migraine attack despite your acute and home rescue treatment. During an acute visit, your symptoms are reviewed, an examination is performed, additional tests are ordered if need be, more rescue treatment options are offered/discussed including treatments that can be offered during the acute visit such as intramuscular injection of medications (ketorolac, ondansetron/zofran, steroid) and intranasal 4% lidocaine as medically appropriate.
Nerve Blocks and/or Trigger Point Injections - 15-30 minutes - 350$
Nerve blocks are superficial injections of local anesthetic medication around some of the nerves that surround the head and mediate pain. Numbing these nerves can help stop a headache cycle and provide urgent relief. Trigger points, also known as muscle knots, are inflamed areas of muscle that carry tension in specific areas. Trigger point injections are injections of a local anesthetic medication within a muscle to break the tension up and provide relief from neck pain and headache.This procedure is performed at our office. Patients are required to have had a new patient consultation within our center once and have had a follow-up visit within a year of booking a nerve block and/or trigger point injection visit.
BOTOX® injection - 30 minutes - $500
BOTOX® injections are done every 10-12 weeks according to the scientifically proven (PREEMPT) protocol for BOTOX® injections for the prevention of chronic headache. There are about 31 injection sites around the head and neck. This therapeutic non-cosmetic procedure is performed at our office. Patients are required to have had a new patient consultation within our center once prior to booking BOTOX® injection. This price does not include the cost of the BOTOX® medication, which has to be preapproved by the patient's insurance and obtained through specialty pharmacy.
Financial policies
The Institute for Headache and Brain Health does not participate with any insurance plans, Medicare, or Medicaid. Payment is due in full at the time of service. An itemized statement and receipt of payment will be provided after each encounter that you may submit to your insurance plan for reimbursement, depending on your out-of-network benefits if you have commercial insurance. The remainder of the sums may be covered by HSA or FSA accounts. At this time, our services are not reimbursed by Medicare or Medicaid.
The benefits of a direct payment model include:
- Longer, personalized, comprehensive consultations and visits
- Personal approach to your care
- Expedited appointments (generally same or next business day, sometimes longer due to doctor availability)
- Every consultation and visit with a board-certified Doctor
- Virtual visits are available for follow-up appointments
- No hidden fees
You do not know how much you owe until the bill comes in when going to big hospital systems. You are often charged hospital fees that are sometimes not covered by insurance. Our clinic does not charge hospital/facility fees.
Insurance prior authorizations will be sought for prescriptions and tests ordered.
Clinic Policies
Cancellation Policy
There is no charge for appointments canceled at least 24 hours before the start of your scheduled appointment. If canceled within 24 hours, you will be charged $50.
Late Policy
Patients arriving late will only be seen during their regularly scheduled appointment time and may have their appointment times cut short. If you arrive too late, you may be asked to reschedule. Late patients are charged the full fee for their scheduled service.
No Show Policy
Patients who do not attend their scheduled appointment without notice will be charged the full amount of the visit.
Prescription Refill Policy
Generally, you should have enough refills until your next appointment with us and the refills are on file with your pharmacy. You can find the number of refills you may have on your prescription bottle. In this case, simply contact your pharmacy with your request and have your prescription number ready – that information can be found on your prescription bottle. After 1 year of not being seen at the Connecticut Institute for Headache and Brain Health, patients are considered inactive and a visit will be required before prescriptions are refilled.
If your pharmacy will not initiate a refill request, please contact us through our secure patient portal to request your refill. Please specify the name of the medication, the dosage and the name and contact information of your pharmacy. Generic medication will be e-prescribed to your pharmacy unless you have specified to order name brand(s) only in your request.
Prior Authorization Policies
Prior Authorization Requests (PAs) are generated by the pharmacy when a prescription sent by our office is not covered by your insurance. PAs will be initiated by our office within 5 business days of the request and the status of the PA should be determined within the following 3-5 business days. Obtaining prior authorizations may take hours of time. The status of the PA will automatically be sent to your pharmacy. It is advisable for you to call your pharmacy directly approximately 10 days after a PA has been requested and ask your pharmacist to “rerun” the prescription.
If your PA is denied by your insurance, you may still get your prescription filled through a savings/access program for the specific brand name medication. Examples include, but are not limited to, Nurtec, Qulipta, Ubrelvy.
Some Savings Programs may require a PA to be initiated after the 1st or 2nd prescription fill, but the PA does not need to be approved.
If a PA is denied, it may be worth appealing the decision, knowing there are no guarantees. Complex appeals (appeals based solely on patient preference despite reasonable medical alternatives) are less likely to be successful and may require a $50-100 fee based on the time needed to be spent on the appeal.
Communication Policy
In the case of emergencies, new acute onset focal neurological symptoms (such as difficulty speaking, loss of vision, weakness, severe imbalance acutely), or life-threatening symptoms, please call 9-1-1.
For simple questions (such as appointments, office hours, yes/no answers), we encourage you to use our patient portal or call us.
A follow-up visit is required for all in-depth questions (such as medication management, new symptoms, etc.).
Forms and Paperwork Policy
Filling out forms is best done as part of an office visit.
If done outside of the visit, please prefill what you are able to and provide the non-medical information required. There will be a $50 charge if done outside of an office visit.
Credit Card on File Policy
We require a credit card on file to reserve your dedicated appointment slot.
​
Behavior Policy
A functional doctor-patient relationship relies on mutual trust and respect between the respective parties. We understand that when people don’t feel their best, they don’t always act their best, and we believe in second chances in most cases. However, we also recognize that our method is not for everyone and that not everyone gets along. Behaviors including but not limited to rudeness, foul language, insults, obstinacy, or lying may be grounds for dismissal from our clinic, at the discretion of our medical director. We are happy to provide the names of alternate physicians who can help you should these circumstances arise.
​
Recording Policy
No picture or video recording during any time of the visit/appointment is allowed.