Do I need a referral?

It depends on your insurance plan rather than on the practice. Many plans allow you to book directly; some require a referral from your primary care physician. The office can tell you which applies to you.

Should I get a new MRI before my appointment?

Usually not. Bring the imaging you already have — the images themselves rather than only the report. Dr. Long will arrange further imaging if it is needed, and ordering a scan before anyone has examined you often adds cost without adding information.

How long is a first appointment?

Long enough to take a proper history, examine you and review your imaging together. Second-opinion and revision appointments generally take longer, because reviewing previous operative notes and prior imaging is the substance of the visit.

Patients

Preparing for your appointment

What to bring, what the visit involves, and what to expect if an operation is recommended.

Request a consultation Call (631) 600-9400

Before your appointment

What to bring

Previous imaging and operative notes matter more than a new scan, especially if you are coming for a second opinion.

Your insurance card and photo identification

Any MRI, CT or X-ray imaging — the discs or digital images, not just the report

Operative notes from any previous spine surgery

A list of your current medications, including blood thinners

A list of what you have already tried and what each treatment did

Urgent symptoms

Sudden weakness in a limb, numbness in the saddle area, or a new change in bladder or bowel control needs emergency assessment. Go to an emergency department rather than waiting for a clinic appointment.

Cost and cover

Insurance

Out of network

The practice is out of network for all commercial insurance plans. That does not mean you cannot be seen — it means the office should check what your plan reimburses before you attend, so the cost is known in advance rather than afterwards.

No-fault and workers' compensation cases are accepted. Bring your claim details — the claim number, the date of injury and your adjuster’s contact details — and the request form will ask for them so the office can open the file before you arrive.

Call (631) 600-9400 and the office will go through what this means for your plan.

Deciding

If surgery is recommended

Four questions you should be able to answer

What is wrong, what the operation is intended to fix, what it will not fix, and what happens if you do nothing. If any of those is unclear, ask again before you consent — a good surgeon would rather repeat themselves than operate on somebody who does not understand the plan.

Stopping smoking matters more than you expect

It meaningfully affects whether a fusion heals, and it is the single modifiable factor with the largest effect on the result.

Common questions

Before you attend

Anything else, the office can answer on (631) 600-9400.

Request a consultation

Ready to be seen?

Bring your imaging and any previous operative notes. One number reaches the office for all six locations.

Request a consultation

(631) 600-9400

One number for all six offices