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Below you will find contact information for ALS clinics in Vermont. In addition to improving your quality of life, attending an ALS clinic can extend your life by one year or more.
A team of ALS specialists will meet with you every few months to answer your questions, monitor symptoms, and make recommendations. Clinic visits are typically covered by insurance. Funding may be available for those who cannot afford to pay. Learn more. |
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Military veterans: If you have been diagnosed with ALS, connect with your local VA to access care through your service-connected benefits.
how to contact a clinic
– Before attending an ALS clinic, you will need to schedule an appointment to see one of the clinic neurologists in order to receive or confirm an ALS diagnosis. If you have a confirmed diagnosis, the doctor will schedule your first clinic appointment.
– When you call, you may reach the ALS clinic coordinator directly. If you are routed to the hospital front desk, ask for the doctor, ALS clinic, or neurology department.
– If you are unable to connect with the right person, try contacting your local ALS organization for assistance.
– When you call, you may reach the ALS clinic coordinator directly. If you are routed to the hospital front desk, ask for the doctor, ALS clinic, or neurology department.
– If you are unable to connect with the right person, try contacting your local ALS organization for assistance.
Questions to ask
Every clinic is different. Most accept Medicare and Medicaid, though private insurance coverage will vary. Once you're talking with the person who schedules appointments for the ALS clinic, ask:
– Do I need a doctor's referral or confirmed diagnosis to schedule an appointment?
– Do you accept my private insurance/Medicare/Medicaid?
– Do you have an estimate of what I might need to pay out of pocket?
If you are concerned about cost, ask the ALS clinic or your local ALS organization if there is any financial assistance available.
– Do I need a doctor's referral or confirmed diagnosis to schedule an appointment?
– Do you accept my private insurance/Medicare/Medicaid?
– Do you have an estimate of what I might need to pay out of pocket?
If you are concerned about cost, ask the ALS clinic or your local ALS organization if there is any financial assistance available.
Tips for a successful visit
Before your visit
– Ask a family member or friend to accompany you to the appointment, if possible.
– Arrange for transportation to the clinic ahead of time. You can look into ride services and public transportation options or ask your local ALS organization if they have travel grants or other suggestions.
– In the time before your appointment, make a list of any questions you have about physical symptoms, mental health concerns, equipment, or anything else.
– Before your appointment, you should receive directions and instructions for your visit.
During your visit
– If your appointment is at a large hospital, ask at the front desk for the ALS clinic, doctor, or neurology department.
– During your visit, specialists will rotate to see you individually. Have questions ready for each professional, as needed. Do not hesitate to ask about anything that concerns you.
– If a family member or friend is with you, ask them to take notes. During visits with your team, it can be hard to absorb everything in real time. If you are alone and able to take notes, it will help you remember details between visits.
– During the visit, primary caregivers can ask to speak with the social worker independently to discuss concerns or challenges.
After your visit
– Your ALS team will meet as a group to discuss your situation and make recommendations for care and equipment. You should receive a summary of the recommendations by mail, through your online patient portal, or however your team chooses to communicate with you. Your team of experts makes these suggestions to help you improve your quality of life.
– If you have questions about how to follow the recommendations, call your clinic coordinator.
– You may wish to share your notes and/or the team's recommendations with loved ones so that everyone is on the same page.
– If a question or concern arises between visits, do not hesitate to call your clinic coordinator.
– Jot down any questions you have for your next visit.
– Ask a family member or friend to accompany you to the appointment, if possible.
– Arrange for transportation to the clinic ahead of time. You can look into ride services and public transportation options or ask your local ALS organization if they have travel grants or other suggestions.
– In the time before your appointment, make a list of any questions you have about physical symptoms, mental health concerns, equipment, or anything else.
– Before your appointment, you should receive directions and instructions for your visit.
During your visit
– If your appointment is at a large hospital, ask at the front desk for the ALS clinic, doctor, or neurology department.
– During your visit, specialists will rotate to see you individually. Have questions ready for each professional, as needed. Do not hesitate to ask about anything that concerns you.
– If a family member or friend is with you, ask them to take notes. During visits with your team, it can be hard to absorb everything in real time. If you are alone and able to take notes, it will help you remember details between visits.
– During the visit, primary caregivers can ask to speak with the social worker independently to discuss concerns or challenges.
After your visit
– Your ALS team will meet as a group to discuss your situation and make recommendations for care and equipment. You should receive a summary of the recommendations by mail, through your online patient portal, or however your team chooses to communicate with you. Your team of experts makes these suggestions to help you improve your quality of life.
– If you have questions about how to follow the recommendations, call your clinic coordinator.
– You may wish to share your notes and/or the team's recommendations with loved ones so that everyone is on the same page.
– If a question or concern arises between visits, do not hesitate to call your clinic coordinator.
– Jot down any questions you have for your next visit.
University of Vermont Medical Center ALS Clinic
Fanny Allen Campus
790 College Parkway
Colchester, VT 05401
Phone: (802) 847-4589
Medical Directors: Rup Tandan, MD and Michael Hehir, MD
Visit website
790 College Parkway
Colchester, VT 05401
Phone: (802) 847-4589
Medical Directors: Rup Tandan, MD and Michael Hehir, MD
Visit website
What if there isn't a clinic near me?
Attending an ALS clinic once every three or so months may be the most important thing you can do to extend your life and improve your quality of life. If you are able to make the drive or arrange for transportation, we strongly recommend going.
If there is not a multidisciplinary ALS clinic near you, there may be other clinics or neurologists at hospitals, private practices, or universities that specialize in ALS. Contact your local ALS organization to ask about your options. You may also want to search for clinics in neighboring states that may be closer to you.
If transportation to the clinic is a challenge, ask your local organization if they have travel grants, resources, or suggestions.
You can also reach out to Synapticure, a telemedicine healthcare company that provides personalized care for people living with ALS via video, phone, and email.
If there is not a multidisciplinary ALS clinic near you, there may be other clinics or neurologists at hospitals, private practices, or universities that specialize in ALS. Contact your local ALS organization to ask about your options. You may also want to search for clinics in neighboring states that may be closer to you.
If transportation to the clinic is a challenge, ask your local organization if they have travel grants, resources, or suggestions.
You can also reach out to Synapticure, a telemedicine healthcare company that provides personalized care for people living with ALS via video, phone, and email.
Learn More
Did we miss something?
Is there an ALS clinic we missed? Is any information out of date? Please email us to help keep this directory current for our community. Thank you!
