What is involved in the first evaluation?
In the first evaluation, Dr. Shah will assess the nature of the problem at hand. Some neurological consultations are for diagnosis questions, that is, what is wrong with the patient. In that case, the consultation may be followed by recommendations for imaging procedures and diagnostic lab tests, followed by a follow-up visit to review the data. Sometimes the diagnosis is already known and the consultation is for decisions about the treatment. In that case, tests might not be ordered but tests may be reviewed, and the discussions about treatment options can occur. Dr. Shah will obtain a thorough history and perform a detailed neurological examination during the first encounter.
How long will my first appointment take?
There is no easy answer to this. It depends on the complexity of your neurological problem. A patient with a straightforward problem such as carpal tunnel syndrome may not require as long an appointment as someone with a new diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Some patients have extensive old records to be reviewed and some patients may be seeing a physician for the very first time. Dr. Shah usually reviews your CT and MRI with you during your first visit if they are available.
What is Dr Shah's educational background?
Dr. Shah attended M.P.Shah Medical College in Gujarat, India, which included a one-year rotating internship at various hospitals in Gujarat. After that, he taught pharmacology to medical students and worked as an in-patient hospitalist for a short period of time. After arriving in the U.S. he did stroke research at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. He joined Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA, for his internal medicine internship, neurology residency and clinical neurophysiology fellowship. Dr. Shah has attended numerous educational conferences and participated in many research studies. (See his publications on Scholarly Activity page). He was also very active in junior resident teaching during his residency and fellowship (see his presentations on Scholarly Activity page).
Is insurance filed directly? How can I find out more about the process of filing my health insurance?
We file a claim with your insurance company as a courtesy. Please contact your insurance company to see if we are in their network. We also provide prior authorization for medical tests and prescription medications as a courtesy to our patients. Please contact our office staff for insurance-related questions.
How do I get put on the cancellation list to be seen sooner than my scheduled appointment?
Let the front desk receptionist or the nurse know you are interested in an earlier appointment, should one become available. Leave them your daytime phone numbers, where you can be reached at a short notice. All efforts will be made to accommodate your request.
Why is my waiting time longer sometimes?
We try our best to see you on time but Dr. Shah also has in-patient responsibilities and sometimes he has to attend urgent Emergency Room / in-patient consults. Dr. Shah loves to talk to his patients and sometimes previous patients require more time than allocated. We are sorry for any extended wait time. We are open to constructive suggestions and how to make things easier for you.
What information do I need to bring to my first appointment?
Please fill out, our "New Patient Forms" on our website and bring them at the time of appointment. Bring current medication bottles (and list of medications) that you are taking. In some situation, it might be advisable to make a list of previous medications tried for your problem (e.g. list of seizure medication tried and failed). Please be sure pertinent copies of your medical records have been forwarded to us or brought to us the day of your appointment. Please bring CD of you MRI and/or CT scan.
During your first visit, Dr. Shah will take the time to understand your concerns, listen to your symptoms, and learn about your medical history. He will also perform a gentle, thorough neurological examination to evaluate how your brain and nervous system are functioning.
The goal of this visit is to get a clear picture of what’s going on and how we can help. Sometimes, the next step may involve imaging (like an MRI) or lab tests to gather more information. In other cases, if a diagnosis is already known, we’ll focus on discussing treatment options and next steps.
Whether you're seeking a diagnosis or looking for the best way to manage an existing condition, Dr. Shah will work closely with you to create a plan that fits your needs.
We’re here to make sure you feel informed, supported, and cared for every step of the way.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as every neurological concern is unique. The length of your visit depends on the complexity of your condition. For example, someone being seen for a straightforward issue like carpal tunnel syndrome may need less time than someone with a new diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
Some patients bring in many past medical records to review, while others are starting fresh and meeting a neurologist for the first time. Dr. Shah takes the time needed to understand your story, review any imaging (like CT or MRI scans) if available, and ensure all your questions are addressed.
What we can promise is that you'll be given the time and attention you deserve to work through your concerns, understand your condition, and feel confident about your next steps.
Our goal is to make sure you leave your appointment feeling supported, informed, and cared for no matter where you're starting from.
Dr. Shah attended M.P.Shah Medical College in Gujarat, India, which included a one-year rotating internship at various hospitals in Gujarat. After that, he taught pharmacology to medical students and worked as an in-patient hospitalist for a short period of time. After arriving in the U.S. he did stroke research at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. He joined Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA, for his internal medicine internship, neurology residency and clinical neurophysiology fellowship. Dr. Shah has attended numerous educational conferences and participated in many research studies. (See his publications on Scholarly Activity page). He was also very active in junior resident teaching during his residency and fellowship (see his presentations on Scholarly Activity page).
Yes — we file insurance claims on your behalf as a courtesy. However, we encourage all patients to contact their insurance provider directly to confirm whether we are considered in-network for their specific plan.
We also assist with prior authorizations for medical tests and prescription medications whenever required.
In addition, many of our services are eligible for payment through Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). These options can be a helpful way to manage out-of-pocket costs using pre-tax funds.
If you have any questions about your coverage, billing, or payment options, our office staff
If you’d like to be seen earlier than your scheduled appointment, simply let our front desk staff or nurse know that you’re interested in being added to the cancellation list.
Be sure to leave your daytime phone number and let us know the best way to reach you on short notice. If an earlier time becomes available, we’ll do our best to contact you and accommodate your request.
We understand that timely care is important, and we’ll make every effort to help you be seen as soon as possible.
En My Brain Doctor, realizamos una variedad de pruebas diagnósticas, incluyendo estudios de imágenes como resonancias magnéticas (RM) y tomografías computarizadas (TC), así como electroencefalogramas (EEG) para evaluar la actividad eléctrica del cerebro.
To help us provide you with the best care, please bring the following:
Having this information ready helps make your first visit more efficient and ensures Dr. Shah has the full picture to support your care.