Refer a Patient: Headache Center Mount Zion

Please note that your patient can schedule an appointment with us before the referral process is complete. For very refractory cases, please see our instructions for fast-tracked inpatient care below.

To be seen at the Headache Center, patients must provide the names of all primary care providers and neurologists who are active in their care and confirm that they're not being actively evaluated for new neurological disease or taking daily opioid medications.

When submitting a referral, please include:

• Radiology imaging reports (if any)
• Medical notes describing your patient's headache condition, past treatments and medications taken
• A copy of your patient's insurance card, front and back
• Insurance authorization for the clinic visit, if required

Telemedicine consultations

We offer virtual consultations for patients in our region, as well as nationally and internationally. All we require is a referral, recent medical records from the primary medical or neurological team, and insurance information.

After the virtual appointment, we'll send a complete consultation note with detailed recommendations for diagnostic testing (if warranted) and specific management suggestions, including medications, pain procedures and neuromodulation techniques.

Fast-tracked inpatient headache care

For very refractory cases, inpatient infusion therapy (using dihydroergotamine, chlorpromazine or divalproex) can be effective. Patients are admitted to our headache treatment unit for a four- or five-day course, depending on the chosen medication.

To ensure such cases are prioritized, we have created a fast track for referrals.

Requirements for a fast-tracked appointment

• Headache history: At least 12 headache days per month for at least three months

• Failure of three or more preventive strategies:
  • Antidepressants
  • Anti-epilepsy medications
  • Antispasmodics
  • Beta-blockers
  • Botox injections
  • Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antibodies
  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Nerve blocks

• Medically and neurologically stable (all three criteria must apply):
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), complete blood count (CBC) and coagulation profile all normal and done within the past six months
  • Not taking daily opioids or barbiturates
  • Not currently under evaluation for acute neurological or psychiatric disease

If your patient meets all the criteria above, phone the UCSF Headache Center at 415-353-8393. Your referral will receive priority, and an appointment may be made at the time of your contact.