New York Headache Center

I have been taking my daughter to the NY Headache Center for approximately one year. I was referred to the Headache Center by Family and Friends (who are physicians) and I am so glad that I listened. My daughter (age 17) who had spent a week in the hospital due to a 14 day cluster migraine was lucky to be placed under the care of Timothy Oakes, NP. His compassion and bedside manner were/​are fantastic. My daughter was at the point where she felt she was going to be living with headaches for the rest of her life on a daily basis. This added stress did not help the headaches. Timothy Oakes recommended a regimen of natural vitamins along with various as needed (prn) medications. A complete family history and my daughter’s medical history helped guide his plan of action. This summer my other daughter (age 15) started suffering from migraines as well. Timothy started a different plan of action that fit her needs better. The girls have a local neurologist and he is very pleased with the care they are receiving at the NY Headache Center. Their appointments locally have almost become non-​existent. Believe me there are days when they still do not feel well but they are far and few between compared to when they started. Being a migraine sufferer myself for over 30 years I can tell you that you will most likely never be 100% migraine/​headache free. I have personally never had an issue with the office staff as other reviewers complained about. It has always been a pleasant experience and I never have a problem getting an appointment or speaking with Timothy. BTW — Migralex has proven to be a great first line of defense and most headache/​migraine days they do not need to take the prescription medication.
My reasoning for not giving five stars is only due to the fact that I have to schlep into Manhattan and take the girls out of school a bit earlier the days of their appointments.

It’s hard to review doctors in general, let alone one you see for migraine headaches. So here is my criteria for a health care provider: I will compromise on bed side manner, if doctor can cure me.
Over almost three years of treatment, I am not cured, although the progression of pain seems to have stopped. I have a hard time crediting the doctors, since the process made me feel like, it’s my trial and error and their prescription pad that got me there. All the while, my pain was ignored and I was treated like a medication seeker. Unfortunately I cannot prove my pain.
Additionally, I had too many unpleasant encounters with the front office, making me wonder: ‘Have I turned into the demanding, crazy lady or are these people just shamelessly rude’. I never had shout outs but I always found a way to ‘elicit’ snark comments and unsolvable problems, for which I was to blame.
I was a bit troubled when doctors ignored side-​effects of various treatments.
The last straw was almost certain re-​scheduling. In my opinion, there is no continuity of care, even if the person who newly joined the practice is well trained. I consider it to be the most important factor in headache treatment, it is ignored here at the practice.

I called to make an appointment for my husband and was told that the only doctor in the practice who accepts patients at the White Plains location was Dr. Mauskop, and that he doesn’t accept ANY insurance, and charges $ 700.00 for an initial consultation. That doesn’t include the cost of treatment. SAY WHAT??? Clearly, he’s only interested in helping wealthy people. What a jerk.

Before I came to the NY Headache Center I saw a few doctors regarding the very painful headaches I was having. The doctors could not figure out how to cure my headaches and sent me to different specialists and tests. When I finally met with the NY Headache Center’s Dr. Shkolnik he listened to my complaints, asked questions and said that I have the very definition of cluster headaches. He gave me medication which stopped my cluster headaches immediately. This was a very big relief to finally not have such painful headaches after having them for 3 months. I was very pleased with my visit.

These are my angels in Manhattan. Developing critical migraines in my early 20’s was scary. I made an appointment and had to wait a few weeks for a new patient visit… Best waiting I’ve ever done (Yes, the best and most sought after migraine doctor has a wait). After my first appointment, I left with a new understanding of migraines. It’s been 4 years, through which I’ve have wacky work schedules and stress– the entire staff at the New York Headache Center– have been supportive and flexible. When first came to them I had 3x a week migraines which nearly crippled me. Now I’ve been over a YEAR MIGRAINE FREE. And healthy! I only wish my family and friends not in NY could have this care. Lynda and Dana– thank you!

By the time I found Dr Mauskop, I was desperately seeking relief from an unrelenting migraine. Dr Mauskop was able to see me right away and under his care my I felt better within a week. He is smart, compassionate, open minded and he listens. One of the best doctors I have ever been to. When you have migraines, sometimes it really does feel like the world is ending. Both him and his staff understand that and they are available to you. Wonderful place. I’ve not had any problems with the admin staff that other people have mentioned.

This place saved my life. Lynda has the hands and skills of a magical creature, dispensing botox properly to the most afflicted areas. We work together to make me feel better. This is a good thing. She listens and remembers where every bit of pain has been. And have you seen her CV? The woman is constantly training and re-​educating herself. I trust her.
The only negative to the office is the reception desk. Most of the people working there do not seem to have it together. I have been told incorrect billing amounts, etc. Sometimes just saying my name brings on a stupor. It is a shame that they bring the place down.

If you’re coming here during the winter, bring earplugs… the waiting room heater is the loudest and most abrasive I’ve ever had to sit near. I felt like I was about to get a migraine just being near it.
Also, be ready to exercise patience with the receptionist.

My only complaint; and is a huge complaint is how long it took to get an appointment and how non-​understanding the receptionists were in this process. Clearly, they have never experienced a migraine. I had a migraine for over 6 months, had been to several doctors of which did not help me, was on preventive medication that severely effected my short term memory, sleeping, etc. This did not matter at all to the girl scheduling my appt. I waited a long two months more of suffering from DAILY migraines that left me absolutely disabled often.
After my visit today, I was given some injections in my head and shoulder and am feeling some pain relief!!!
I am FURIOUS that I had to literally suffer that much longer for a treatment that took 10 minutes. I am hoping this truly cures this migraine and the new medication will work because getting an appt. here is a nightmare.
I also called weekly to see if there were any cancellations, etc to please contact me. Nope, nothing.

UPDATE: Shortly after my less-​than-​ideal experience, I wrote a letter to Dr. Mauskop himself, expressing my disappointment at what had happened. To his extreme credit, he wrote back within 15 minutes, and offered to get me in the very next day. I accepted his appointment, and came out with a list of things to try, which I’m happy to report are working. The only downside is that he himself does not accept insurance (others in the practice do), and it was a hefty blow to my wallet, but I’m cautiously optimistic that I will get at least a bit of it reimbursed. But overall, I was very pleased with the visit, and very impressed that Dr. Mauskop took the time and effort to respond and right the wrong which had occurred.

«A Super Doctor and a caring person» !
For 40 years of my life I lived misdiagnosed as a Migraine sufferer since Migraine was told to be a ‘woman’s disease’ till I met my angel of the day. I arrived to Dr. Mauskop’s office with a headache as I had them almost very day since I was 13 years old. After I filled out a questioner that I though no one would read carefully I was called in. Hi, I am Dr. Mauskop. I have good news and bad news story. Well I wanted to here the good one. Dr. said: ’ your parents loved you a lot But the bad news is they left you with Migraine headache. So how do you want to get rid of the pain. I am thinking right!? then he went on saying there are two ways one a pill that takes 20 minutes and then there is a self injection that takes 5 minutes. Are you afraid of needles, he asked. I am ready for anything I said. and then we went on to give me samples of the medicine till I feel better faster. and the rest is history. I am 52 years old now and I feel I have lived only for 12 since the medication Imitrex has saved my life thanks to super doctor Mr. Mauskop. Yes! Men suffer from Migraines too. I am so glad Dr. Mauskop has changed the public believes that is a woman’s disease. So make that appointment and stop the suffering. And tell him Albert says Hello!

If you can get an appointment and see the doctor, the medical attention is reasonable and effective.
The staff and operations rely heavily on automated systems, even during working hours when you are often routed to a machine before actually getting a real person. The office also uses an automated system to confirm appointments.
In the case that the automated confirmation system fails (yes, technology doesn’t always work as it should!), be ready to face a $ 50 penalty fee. And don’t expect any allowances on their part, just be prepared to deal with an obstinant staff who cares more about making money than accomodating patients!

If you have migraines like me, or perhaps if you’re some kind of… migraine… enthusiast? This is the place to go. Dr. Mauskop is thorough, not in the creepy Big Lebowski «he’s a good man, and THOROUGH,» way, but in the «whoa, this guy is actually listening to me and then rattling off my 500 previously unknown headache treatment options» way. I have had migraines for 25 years now (whoa) and I can honestly say this was the first time in my history as headache girl that I felt like I might not actually NEED to have 4 migraines a week «just because.»
I’ve been going here since January 2009 and have switched over to Linda Krasenbaum, their nurse practitioner, since my insurance covers visits to her but not Dr. Mauskop’s hefty $ 600-​per-​visit fee. Linda is great. I literally could not be happier with her. She’s friendly and warm and completely puts you at ease (or, as «at ease» as you can be when she’s got a needle full of Botox jammed into your scalp). She LISTENS to you and she’s always ready with options and solutions. Under the care of the NY Headache Center, I have gone from having 4 – 5 migraines a week to maybe 1 a week in just a few months.
My review used to say that the insurance desk was, at times, surly and overwhelmed — but after coming here for 4 years (and going to other doctors around the city for other reasons) I have completely changed my opinion to «these people can have a kidney of mine if they want one,» because anyone who can negotiate the Draconian policies of Anthem Blue Cross and get my Botox there on time while sounding nice on the phone is basically some kind of martyr who deserves frequent parades and gift baskets.
And seriously, it’s nice to go to a doctor’s office where they get to know you (ok maybe that sucks because it means you have some kind of crazy illness but still) and treat you like you’re pals even though you know they’re dealing with whiny headache people all day.