Study Reveals Long Wait Times for Neurology Care

Access to specialty care is a critical part of managing conditions that affect the brain and nervous system. A new study published in Neurology examining wait times for neurological disorders across the United States found that many patients face significant delays before seeing a neurologist, and those delays are not the same for everyone.

“Our study found that when looking at wait times to see neurologists, it is not a simple supply and demand issue,” said study investigator John P. Ney, M.D., M.P.H., of Yale University and fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. “We found that how long you wait to see a neurologist depends on things like how serious your condition is, your sex, where you live and what kind of insurance you have.”

Investigators analyzed data from more than 114,000 commercially insured adults between 2019 and 2023. All patients had first visited a primary care provider or the emergency department and were then referred to a neurologist. On average, patients waited nearly 50 days for their first neurology appointment, while the median wait time (meaning that half had longer waits, half had shorter) was about 25 days. These timelines highlight how common it is for patients to wait weeks, and sometimes longer, for specialized care.

The study also found that wait times varied depending on who the patient was and why they needed care. Women tended to be seen faster than men, with about a one-week difference in wait times. Patients with more urgent symptoms, such as those related to stroke, dizziness or traumatic brain injury, were generally able to access care more quickly. In contrast, individuals with chronic neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis often experienced longer delays, which may reflect differences in how urgently referrals are prioritized.

Geography also played a role. Patients in the Northeast had longer wait times than those in other regions of the country. In addition, the study found that communities with a higher proportion of White residents tended to have slightly shorter wait times, pointing to potential disparities in access to care. Insurance type also appeared to influence timing, with those enrolled in consumer-driven health plans experiencing somewhat shorter waits.

One of the more surprising findings was that the number of neurologists available in a given area did not significantly affect how long patients waited. This suggests that access to care is shaped by more than just provider availability. Factors like referral systems, appointment scheduling, care coordination, and health care infrastructure may play a larger role than previously thought.

For patients, these findings underscore the importance of being proactive when navigating the health care system. Long wait times can delay diagnosis and treatment, which is especially concerning for neurological conditions that may worsen over time. Asking about appointment availability, exploring telehealth options, and following up on referrals may help reduce delays.

These findings highlight a complex picture of access to neurology care in the U.S. While wait times are common, they are not evenly distributed. Investigators believe addressing these gaps will likely require systemwide improvements to ensure that all patients, regardless of location, condition or background, can receive timely and appropriate care.

“If we want faster, fairer access to neurological care, we may need to look at systemic and structural issues, such as the number of neurologists in certain subspecialty areas, trying out new methods for triaging patients and redesigning the referral process,” Ney suggested. “These results show we still need a better understanding of why some patients wait longer than others. Future research can help pinpoint where delays occur — and test solutions that get patients to the right neurological care sooner.”