Neurology with Sanitas
You can see a neurologist next week. The scan they are likely to order may not be covered for six months. Understanding that gap before you need it saves a good deal of frustration.
What a neurologist deals with
The brain, spinal cord and nerves. The appointments divide roughly into these.
Headache and migraine, which is the most common reason by a distance. Worth going if headaches are frequent, disabling, or have changed in pattern.
Memory problems, either your own or a relative's. Distinguishing normal ageing from something more is exactly what this specialty is for, and earlier is better.
Tremor and movement, including Parkinson's.
Numbness, tingling and nerve pain, often in the hands or feet.
Dizziness and blackouts, though these are sometimes ENT or cardiology rather than neurology.
Epilepsy and seizures.
The scan problem, and it is a real one
Most neurology appointments end with a request for an MRI of the brain or spine. That is normal and sensible.
But MRI is a complex diagnostic test, so it carries a 6-month waiting period. If your policy is new, you can see the neurologist immediately and then find the scan they have ordered is not yet covered.
The exception is urgency. A suspected stroke, a seizure, a sudden severe headache unlike any before – those are emergencies, covered from day one, and should go to an emergency department rather than a clinic anyway.
If you are taking out cover with a known neurological problem in mind, plan around that six months.
Warning signs that should not wait
Sudden weakness or numbness on one side, a drooping face, slurred speech, sudden loss of vision, or the worst headache of your life. Those are emergency-department symptoms, not appointment symptoms. In Spain the number is 112.
Where the neurologists are
350 clinics across 46 provinces, with 562 named specialists between them – and you can book any of them yourself, without a referral.
- Madrid – 71 clinics, 158 neurologists
- Barcelona – 41 clinics, 73 neurologists
- Valencia – 23 clinics, 50 neurologists
- Malaga – 16 clinics, 19 neurologists
- Alicante – 15 clinics, 25 neurologists
- Balearics – 12 clinics, 12 neurologists
Coverage is thinner than most specialties – four provinces have none at all.
Language at the appointment
Being understood is one to insist on. Neurological diagnosis depends almost entirely on describing symptoms accurately, and memory testing in a second language is close to meaningless. Ask us and we will check who is near you and what languages they work in.
What you pay
Nothing at the clinic on a no-co-payment plan, including scans once the waiting period has passed. On a co-payment plan, a fixed amount for the appointment and a larger one for the MRI.
See every Sanitas waiting period in one place, including how switching from another insurer waives nearly all of them.
Find a neurologist near you
Browse neurologists in the Sanitas directory – by province, with addresses, phone numbers and a map.
