Hi, @stephenluptak - These are all reasonable questions before you'd make the 3-hour trip and invest money and time in a neurology consult in Nashville. I'd like to call on a few Mayo Clinic Connect members, @johnbishop @jakedduck1 @jenniferhunter @hopeful33250, who may have some thoughts for you, in light of your diagnosis with stroke, white matter disease, and normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), on these questions you asked about the specialist your Blue Cross Medicare Advantage plan would allow for you to see:

What should expect from this specialist?

Do I even need one?

Is there somewhere I may check to see one if the trip would be worthwhile?

@stephenluptak Hello Paul:

In my experience a specialist is worth their weight in gold. They specialize in particular disorders and are best able to plan your treatment. If your insurance company has provided a name of a specialist, I would "google" that doctor's name and learn as much as you can about his experience and background and the patients that he sees.

If, in fact, this doctor seems to be a good fit for the type of problem you have then look at the link provided by @johnbishop regarding "getting off to a good start with a new specialist" and follow some of the suggestions in that post.

A neurologist who specializes in these areas can be much more helpful because that is their area of expertise and they will have more knowledge than a general neurologist. The specialist can also provide information for your local doctor who can continue your care closer to home.

I hope you feel comfortable with what you learn about this referral. Will you post again and let me know how you are doing with this decision process?