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What does a full neurological exam consist of?

A full neurological exam consists of evaluation of the many aspects of the nervous system.  This includes a mental status evaluation, in which the physician will assess if the patient is oriented to person, place, and time, as well as ensuring that the patient is speaking and interacting in a normal manner.  Coordination and balance are also evaluated.  Sensory testing, including the ability to distinguish between hot and cold is also performed.  Reflexes are tested with a reflex hammer.

Additionally, the 12 cranial nerves are also tested.  These include:

  • Cranial nerve I- olfactory nerve, responsible for sense of smell
  • Cranial nerve II- optic nerve, involved in vision
  • Cranial nerve III – oculomotor nerve, involved in pupil size and some eye movement
  • Cranial nerve IV – trochlear nerve, involved in eye movement
  • Cranial nerve V- trigeminal nerve, muscle of chewing and allowing for face sensation
  • Cranial nerve VI- abducens nerve, involved in some eye movement
  • Cranial nerve VII- facial nerve – involved in movement of face, taste, and smiling
  • Cranial nerve VIII- acoustic nerve, involved in hearing
  • Cranial nerve IX- glossopharyngeal nerve – involved in taste, swallowing, and gag reflex
  • Cranial nerve X – vagus nerve, involved in swallowing, gag reflex, taste, and some speech
  • Cranial nerve XI- accessory nerve – involved in shoulder and neck movement
  • Cranial nerve XII – hypoglossal nerve – involved in movement of the tongue

* Savings estimate based on a study of more than 1 billion claims comparing self-pay (or cash pay) prices of a frequency-weighted market basket of procedures to insurer-negotiated rates for the same. Claims were collected between July 2017 and July 2019. R.Lawrence Van Horn, Arthur Laffer, Robert L.Metcalf. 2019. The Transformative Potential for Price Transparency in Healthcare: Benefits for Consumers and Providers. Health Management Policy and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 3.

Sidecar Health offers and administers a variety of ACA compliant major medical plans. Coverage and plan options vary and may not be available in all states.

Your actual costs may be higher or lower than these cost estimates. Check with your provider and health plan details to confirm the costs that you may be charged for a service or procedure. You are responsible for costs that are not covered and for getting any pre-authorizations or referrals required by your health plan. Neither payments nor benefits are guaranteed.

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