Compare 48 neurosurgeons in Washington, DC. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
48
Neurosurgeons
100%
Accepting patients
79%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
DC's healthcare system reflects the city itself: politically connected, resource-rich, and deeply unequal. Three medical schools and a roster of nationally ranked hospitals coexist with some of the widest health disparity gaps in the country between Wards. The NIH Clinical Center in nearby Bethesda and Walter Reed add a federal layer that no other US city can match. If you know how to navigate the system, the depth of specialty care here is remarkable.
Washington has 48 neurosurgeons. The most common credential is MD (79%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
GW University Hospital is in Foggy Bottom near the Metro. MedStar Georgetown is in Georgetown (limited transit access, plan for parking or rideshare). MedStar Washington Hospital Center, the city's largest hospital, is in the northeast along Irving Street. Children's National is nearby on Michigan Avenue. The Metro Red Line connects to the Bethesda medical corridor (NIH, Walter Reed, Suburban Hospital). Most specialist offices cluster in Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, and along Connecticut Avenue NW.
Providers practice throughout Washington. Georgetown is medStar Georgetown University Hospital anchors healthcare in this historic neighborhood. Specialty practices line M Street and Wisconsin Avenue. Dupont Circle is a central neighborhood with a high density of private practices, particularly in behavioral health and primary care. Whitman-Walker Health provides LGBTQ+ affirming care. Capitol Hill is near MedStar Washington Hospital Center and several congressional health offices. Providence Health serves the eastern neighborhoods. Adams Morgan is a diverse neighborhood with bilingual healthcare options and community health centers. Short commute to Dupont Circle medical offices.
Nearby hospitals include MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, George Washington University Hospital, and MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Local training programs run through Georgetown University School of Medicine and George Washington University School of Medicine. Washington, DC has one of the highest concentrations of physicians per capita in the United States, driven by its medical schools, research institutions, and federal agencies like the NIH and FDA.
The consultation includes a neurological exam and detailed review of your imaging (MRI, CT). The neurosurgeon will explain whether surgery is recommended, what the procedure involves, the expected outcome, and the risks. They may recommend trying conservative treatments first (physical therapy, injections, medication) before operating. For elective procedures, you will have time to ask questions and seek a second opinion if desired.
DC's healthcare system crosses three jurisdictions (DC, Maryland, Virginia), and your insurance network may not cover providers across state lines. If your doctor is in Bethesda or Arlington, verify your plan covers out-of-District providers. MedStar, GW, and Georgetown each use separate patient portals.
See a neurosurgeon for brain tumors, herniated discs causing nerve compression, spinal stenosis not improving with conservative treatment, spinal fractures or instability, brain aneurysms, trigeminal neuralgia, carpal tunnel syndrome (when surgery is needed), hydrocephalus, Chiari malformation, and traumatic injuries to the brain or spine. Your neurologist, PCP, or ER physician will typically make the referral.
Consultation copay: $30-75 · Discectomy: $15,000-50,000 · Spinal fusion: $25,000-100,000+ · Brain tumor removal: $50,000-150,000+
Washington, DC has 48 licensed neurosurgeons. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of neurosurgeons in Washington, DC are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
DC Health Link is the District's ACA marketplace, with plans from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Kaiser Permanente, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare. DC Medicaid covers a broader population than most states, with eligibility up to 210 percent of the federal poverty level for adults. If you live in DC but work in Maryland or Virginia (or vice versa), your employer plan may have different network rules than a DC-based marketplace plan.
A consultation copay is $50 to $100. Spinal fusion costs $20,000 to $80,000. Brain tumor surgery costs $30,000 to $100,000+. Carpal tunnel release costs $2,000 to $5,000. Actual costs in Washington, DC depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Neurosurgery is among the most expensive surgical specialties. Multiple bills are standard: surgeon, assistant surgeon, anesthesia, facility, implants (spinal hardware), and neuromonitoring. Get pre-authorization and ask about in-network status for all providers involved in the case.
DC healthcare is organized around MedStar Health (Georgetown and Washington Hospital Center), GW Health, and Children's National. Sibley Memorial Hospital in northwest DC is a Johns Hopkins affiliate. The NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda accepts patients through research protocols, not standard insurance. Because the metro area spans DC, Maryland, and Virginia, always check whether your provider is in-network for your specific plan and jurisdiction.
75% of neurosurgeons in Washington, DC accept Medicare. Medicare covers medically necessary neurosurgery, including spinal procedures, brain tumor removal, and treatment for conditions like trigeminal neuralgia. Facility and anesthesia fees are separate. Standard cost-sharing applies. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Neurosurgical care usually involves a consultation with imaging review, the procedure, and follow-ups at two weeks, six weeks, and three months. Spinal surgery patients may have additional follow-ups with imaging at six months and one year. With 48 neurosurgeons in Washington, DC, you can search on FindClarity to find a provider who fits your schedule.
Yes. Insurance networks often differ across the three jurisdictions. A DC-based plan may not cover a provider in Bethesda or Arlington at in-network rates, even if they are only a few miles away. MedStar and Kaiser operate across all three jurisdictions, which simplifies things. Always verify your provider's network status for your specific plan.
The NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda accepts patients who qualify for specific research studies, not through standard insurance referrals. If you have a condition that is being actively studied at NIH, your doctor can refer you for a screening. ClinicalTrials.gov lists active NIH studies. There is no cost to patients accepted into NIH studies.
GW Hospital (Foggy Bottom), MedStar Georgetown (Georgetown), and MedStar Washington Hospital Center (northeast DC) are the three main adult emergency departments in the District. Children's National handles pediatric emergencies. MedStar Washington Hospital Center is the region's only Level I adult trauma center.
Top accepted carriers in Washington, DC include unitedhealthcare, medicare, anthem, centene, and qhp-58944.
Neurosurgery is covered under medical insurance when medically indicated. Prior authorization is required for nearly all elective neurosurgical procedures. Verify that the neurosurgeon, the hospital, and the anesthesiologist are all in-network. Spine surgery and brain surgery are among the most expensive procedures in medicine. Request a detailed cost estimate and confirm your out-of-pocket maximum.