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VertreesHeadache Center

Specialized Headache Neurology

Everything you need to know before your visit

Understand our clinical focus, transparent visit pricing, and how to prepare for your appointment. We provide every essential detail upfront so your care begins with calm clarity and zero administrative friction.

UCNS Headache MedicineABPN Neurology60–90 Min Initial VisitsDirect-Pay Specialty Practice
Dr. Vertrees listening to a patient during an appointment

First-Visit Journey

What to expect from your care

Specialized headache medicine takes unhurried clinical investigation. Unlike high-volume hospital clinics where visits are constrained to 15 minutes, Dr. Vertrees reserves a full 60 to 90 minutes for your initial diagnostic consultation.

1
Before Your Visit

Intake Form & Medical Record Transfer

Complete our private online intake questionnaire prior to scheduling. Have previous neurology visit notes, brain MRI/CT scan reports, and recent bloodwork faxed to our secure clinic line at (512) 298-5354 so Dr. Vertrees can examine your history before you step into the clinic.

2
Arrival Day

Check-In at Our Austin Clinic

Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment at our quiet suite on North Mopac. We settle your transparent consultation fee ($900 initial / $350 follow-up) via credit, debit, or HSA/FSA card. Please bring your insurance card so we can verify prior authorization requirements for future prescriptions.

3
The Consultation

60–90 Minute Diagnostic Deep Dive

An exhaustive, unhurried review. Dr. Vertrees listens to your headache trajectory, identifies subtle triggers, analyzes past treatment failures, and conducts a thorough neurological examination to rule out secondary causes and confirm precise diagnostic criteria.

4
Treatment Roadmap

Actionable Prevention & Follow-Up

You leave with a clear, written care plan: acute rescue protocols, preventive regimens, lifestyle modifications, and procedure scheduling (Botox, nerve blocks) if indicated. Follow-up visits (30 min) can be in-person or virtual for Texas residents.

First-Visit Checklist

What to have ready for your appointment

  • Completed Intake FormFilled out online prior to appointment confirmation
  • Major Credit Card or HSA/FSA CardFor direct payment of your consultation fee at check-in
  • Health Insurance CardNeeded to file prior authorizations for MRIs and specialty medications
  • Prior Scans & Lab ResultsFaxed ahead or brought on CD/disc (especially brain MRIs)
  • Medication & Treatment HistoryList of past acute and preventive medications, doses, and responses
Request an Appointment

Direct-Pay Specialty Practice

Transparent fees & insurance

We operate as a cash-pay (direct-pay) specialty practice because standard insurance codes force 15-minute rushed visits. Stepping outside insurance billing for office consultations allows Dr. Vertrees to spend 60 to 90 unhurried minutes with you. Below is exactly how your consultation fees, HSA/FSA funds, and insurance benefits coordinate.

Direct PayPaid at check-in

Specialist Office Consultations

Transparent, flat-rate fees for unhurried clinical care with board-certified neurologist Dr. Stephanie Vertrees.

Initial Comprehensive Consultation

$900

60–90 minutes · in-person evaluation · extensive history, full neurological exam, and tailored acute & preventive plan.

Established Follow-Up Visit

$350

30 minutes · in-person or virtual · symptom review, dosage titration, procedure management, and care adjustments.

Itemized Superbill Provided: We give you an itemized receipt with diagnostic (ICD-10) and procedure (CPT) codes at every visit for your insurance reimbursement.
Billed to InsuranceStandard carrier benefits

Prescriptions, Labs & Imaging

Expensive testing and medications are billed directly through your health insurance plan.

Brain MRIs & Neuroimaging

Ordered by Dr. Vertrees and completed at accredited imaging facilities. The imaging center bills your health plan directly under your in-network diagnostic benefits.

Laboratory Panels & Bloodwork

Routine or specialized diagnostic panels are processed by standard clinical labs (Quest, Labcorp, or hospital labs) and covered under your regular plan.

Botox & CGRP Injectable Medications

Vials and specialty injectables (such as Aimovig, Emgality, Ajovy, or Vyepti) are covered under your pharmacy or medical benefit.

Prior Authorizations Managed: Our administrative team submits and coordinates all prior authorizations and clinical appeals on your behalf.

Out-of-Network Claims

How out-of-network reimbursement works

Most patients with PPO or open-access plans receive 50% to 80% reimbursement for their office visits once out-of-network deductibles are satisfied.

1

Check In & Pay

Pay for your scheduled visit at the beginning of your appointment using any major credit/debit card, or swipe your HSA/FSA debit card directly.

2

Receive Your Superbill

We give you a standardized itemized medical receipt containing Dr. Vertrees's NPI, diagnosis codes (ICD-10), and procedural codes (CPT).

3

Submit for 50–80% Back

Upload or mail the superbill to your insurance provider. Your carrier processes the claim and sends reimbursement directly to you.

Using HSA & FSA Accounts

Vertrees Headache Center provides eligible medical care under IRS regulations. You can swipe your HSA or FSA debit card directly at check-in or submit our receipts for tax-advantaged reimbursement without extra forms.

What to Ask Your Insurer

Call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask: “What is my out-of-network reimbursement percentage and deductible for outpatient specialist office visits?”

View Full Procedure PricingRead FAQs Below ↓

Questions before booking? Call our clinic at (512) 655-3737

Clear Boundaries & Standards

Clinic policies

Clear expectations protect the unhurried quality of your care. Because appointments are 60 to 90 minutes, our scheduling policies ensure every patient receives our full attention.

Notice Window

Cancellation & Rescheduling

New patients: Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours in advance.

Established patients: Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

Late cancellations or missed visits without notice are charged the full visit fee, as this time cannot be reassigned to patients on our waitlist.

Punctuality

Arrival & Appointment Times

Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled visit to check in smoothly and start on time.

Visits begin and end promptly so subsequent patients receive their full allotted consultation. Late arrivals will be seen for the remainder of their reserved window and charged the full scheduled fee.

Evidence-Based Medicine

No Narcotics / Opioids for Headaches

Vertrees Headache Center does not prescribe opioid narcotics or barbiturates (such as Fioricet) for headache management.

Neurological evidence confirms narcotics cause central brain sensitization, trigger rebound medication-overuse headaches, and render proven migraine therapies ineffective. We help patients safely taper off narcotics toward restorative regimens.

Care Partnership

Mutual Trust & Respect

A successful physician-patient relationship depends on honesty, transparency, and mutual respect. Living with severe headache pain is exhausting, and we treat every patient with empathy and warmth.

In return, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for abusive language, hostility, or dishonesty toward our clinical team, office staff, or other patients.

Straight Answers

Frequently asked questions

Dr. Vertrees answers the practical questions new and returning patients ask most often about our practice, treatment philosophy, and clinic life.

PaymentYou take insurance, right?
Well, no.
PaymentWhy don't you take my insurance?
Several reasons: First, insurers come between the patient and her/his doctor due to increased red tape and reduced appointment times. With increasing bureaucratic red tape and dwindling reimbursement, physicians are forced to spend less and less time with patients (and they're often staring at computers or tablets entering data to meet certain pay code levels). In our opinion, this is no way to take care of people.
PaymentSo I actually pay you, then?
Correct. Just like you pay your accountant, lawyer, vet and orthodontist.
PaymentBut, I can use my insurance somehow, right?
Usually. Check with your insurance provider about out-of-network benefits, which are typically 50-80% of your bill. You pay us at the beginning of your visit and we'll give you an itemized bill to submit to your insurance carrier.
PaymentI have a Health Savings Account (HSA). Can I use my HSA debit card?
By all means. We checked into this one. We're a qualified medical expense.
PaymentBut I get Botox shots, and they're pricey. Will I be on the hook for that?
We strongly doubt it. We can almost always get injectable medicines for you through your insurance, and the drug company has generous coupon savings that help with out-of-pocket costs.
PaymentI need an MRI and a blood test. Covered, right?
Yep. No worries there since it gets billed through your insurance.
ClinicalI hear a lot about "boutique" or "concierge" practices. Are you one of those?
We're not sure what this really means. We like to think of ourselves as a cutting edge, holistic headache center providing compassionate, comprehensive care to adults and teens. And we don't take insurance. If that's your definition of boutique or concierge then we're all in.
ClinicalDo you prescribe narcotic medications?
No. Narcotic medications such as opioids and barbiturates can increase the brain's sensitivity and worsen headache conditions if taken on a chronic basis, and it can render our headache treatments ineffective. Even one or two narcotic doses per month can make your treatment more difficult.
ClinicalDo you accept patients who are taking narcotics?
It depends. If you are willing to wean off of your current narcotic regimen, then we may be able to help you. If necessary, we may ask for the assistance of a pain management specialist to help with the weaning process. We do understand that narcotics are sometimes necessary to address other medical problems. However, the brain doesn't distinguish whether you are taking these meds for headaches or other purposes. Since narcotics render other headache treatments ineffective, we may not be able to help you if you stay on them. Unfortunately, sometimes people have to make tough choices about whether or not to prioritize their headaches or their other pains. We make no judgment about this and can help you make the right decision for you. We simply ask that you not shoot the messenger!
ClinicalI see you're a neurologist. Do you treat other neurological conditions too?
It depends. Headache management is often complex, and we look at the whole person and are managing a lot of different issues. There may be times when your other neurological issues need a higher level of care. If that's the case, we'll refer you to the right person.
ClinicalWhat if I don't have headaches and only want to see you for my epilepsy, Parkinson's, memory loss, neuropathy, etc?
This will be at the discretion of the doctor. At this time, our center is a headache-focused institution.
ClinicCan I request a visit with Theo, your friendly service dog?
Absolutely! Theo LOVES meeting new friends and is a pro at calming patients with his gentle presence. His tail never stops wagging, and he's always ready with a comforting nuzzle when you need it most. Many patients find his sweet demeanor incredibly soothing during their visits. Just let us know when scheduling if you'd like Theo to be part of your appointment. He'll be thrilled to help make your visit more comfortable! (And yes, belly rubs are always welcome.)
ClinicWhat if I don't want Theo around?
Please let us know and we're happy to move Theo out of your way.

Start here

Have the basics? Send an appointment request.

Send an appointment request. Our team will follow up to confirm the right visit and find a time that works.

Request an AppointmentCall (512) 655-3737