For Providers
REFERRING TO A SPECIALIST
WHO KNOWS EPILEPSY
When a patient’s seizures need more than your practice can address, Sonoran Epilepsy offers a clear path forward. Dr. Hopkins-Calligan is a fellowship-trained epileptologist who accepts referrals from all specialties, including but not limited to primary care, neurology, emergency medicine, and OBGYN.
Every referred patient is seen directly by Dr. Hopkins-Calligan, and referring providers receive direct communication on evaluation findings and treatment direction.
WHY SUBSPECIALTY EPILEPSY CARE MATTERS
Epilepsy is one of the most complex conditions in neurology. It encompasses dozens of distinct syndromes, hundreds of possible causes, and a treatment landscape that has expanded significantly in recent years — with over thirty anti-seizure medications currently available, plus surgical options, neurostimulation, and emerging therapies in active clinical trials.
General neurologists provide essential care across a wide range of conditions, and many patients with epilepsy receive good care in that setting. But epilepsy fellowship training adds focused expertise for good reason. It is a subspecialty program focused exclusively on seizure disorders, EEG interpretation, and the nuanced decision-making that complex epilepsy requires. Epileptologists who pursue board certification in epilepsy have demonstrated competency at that advanced level — and most neurologists treating epilepsy do not hold that credential.
For patients whose seizures are well-controlled and straightforward, this distinction may matter less. For patients who have never received a thorough diagnostic workup, whose medication regimen hasn’t been optimized, or who continue to have seizures despite treatment, seeing a fellowship-trained epileptologist can change the trajectory of their care.
REFERRAL PROCESS
How to Refer a Patient
Referring to Sonoran Epilepsy is straightforward, and we know referrals can have many pathways. We are happy to accommodate your referral by phone, fax, Athena referral, TigerText, and/or ReferralMD.
STEP 1
Fax patient demographics, relevant history, and any prior imaging or EEG reports.
STEP 2
Once documents are received, our office will contact the patient directly to schedule.
STEP 3
After the initial evaluation, referring providers will receive a summary of findings and the proposed treatment plan.
Accepted Insurances:
- Aetna
- United Healthcare
- AHCCCS
- Medicare
- Tricare
- Oscar Health
What to include:
- Patient name, date of birth, and contact information
- Reason for referral and relevant clinical history
- Any prior EEG reports, neuroimaging, or medication history
- Insurance information if available
REQUEST AN IN-SERVICE
Bring Epilepsy Education to Your Practice
Dr. Hopkins-Calligan offers in-service presentations for primary care, neurology, emergency medicine, and OBGYN practices.
Topics typically include seizure recognition and first-line management, when and how to refer, and what patients can expect from subspecialty epilepsy care. If you’re interested in scheduling an in-service for your team, e-mail info@sonoranepilepsy.com with your name, practice name, specialty, preferred contact method, and availability.
READY TO REFER?
Your patients with uncontrolled seizures, new-onset epilepsy, or complex medication histories deserve a specialist in their corner.
We make the referral process simple and keep you informed throughout.
Ph: 602-806-0008 Fax: 602-806-0009