Your Questions Answered About the New Roanoke Area MS Center and Blue Ridge Neurology

MSAV – When will the new neurologists and other providers be available to see patients, and how can appointments be scheduled?

Mr. Huntsman – The new neurology full team will begin to see patients in September and appointments are already being scheduled. However, we are providing infusions for several insurance plans this summer (already).

MSAV – What is the procedure for patients with existing referrals or those who have previously received care at the MS Center to return for appointments?

Mr. Huntsman – If a patient has received care at the Roanoke MS Center in Salem or Blue Ridge Associates in Neurology in Christiansburg in the past, we do not need a new referral unless insurance requires it. Simply a call to schedule an appointment is all that is needed. We truly hope that all patients return, and it would be an honor to serve each of them

MSAV – Does the new owner have patient medical records, or should patients bring their records to appointments?

Mr. Huntsman – We have access to all patient records that Dr. Cramer had.

MSAV – What options are available for patients needing to be seen before September?

Mr. Huntsman – We are scheduling only infusions this summer and launching our full team in September. That said, in the case of a significant patient emergency prior to that, we will attempt to schedule that patient to see a provider.

MSAV – Which insurance plans, including Veterans’ insurance, will the center accept?

Mr. Huntsman – We are currently in the process of credentialing with all payors, including veteran’s insurance as well as Medicare, all Medicare Advantage plans, all 5 Virginia Medicaid plans, and Commercial plans (United Healthcare, Anthem, Sentara, Cigna, Aetna, Humana, etc.)

MSAV – Will the center offer infusions, bloodwork, Botox, Solu-Medrol, or other specialized MS treatments? If so, when will these services begin, what is the scheduling process, and can patients receive infusions even if they are seeing another doctor for their general MS care?

Mr. Huntsman – Our Salem clinic will focus only on MS patient care and infusion treatments. Our Christiansburg clinic will also provide MS patient care and infusions as well as infusions for other neurology conditions such as CIDP, MG, Alzheimers, etc. We will provide IVIG, Botox, and many other treatments. We are already providing MS only infusions this summer in Salem and Christiansburg for Medicare and several insurers, but additional insurers will not be credentialed until September. Our plan is to be full-service in September, though there may be some insurance plans that take a little longer to complete the credentialing approval process. To schedule an MS / Neurology infusion, a patient can call us at 540-381-6211. This fall we will also open a 3rd infusion clinic in the heart of Roanoke under our “BrookWell” brand for non-neurology infusions to serve patients with conditions such as Crohns, UC, RA, Thyroid Eye Disease, etc.

MSAV – Will the center accept walk-ins?

Mr. Huntsman – Walk-ins are not feasible for our clinics given the nature of having scheduled patients. We will see all patients via a schedule appointment – whether for MS care or for an infusion treatment.

MSAV – Will the existing staff and nurses remain at the MS Center?

Mr. Huntsman – We are so happy that 100% of Dr. Cramer’s team members, including Dr. Julie Kidd, are remaining with us going forward! We can announce that Dr. Tolulope Amiola, MD and Board-Certified Neurologist and MS Specialist will be part of our team starting in September. We are also in discussions with a second Neurologist with vast experience treating MS patients. We are also happy to report that Sarah Champion who is a Nurse Practitioner and served with Dr. Cramer for many years, is coming back to be part of our team going forward. Furthermore – Marion Thomas, a local Nurse Practitioner who completed an MS fellowship at Duke and has vast experience treating MS patients, will be joining us in September. We have full confidence in the clinical team we are putting together and are so excited to be building an MS Center of Excellence to serve patients throughout Southwest Virginia.

MSAV – What changes, if any, can patients expect in terms of clinic hours, appointment availability, or the overall patient experience?

Mr. Huntsman – This fall we be providing more clinic hours for patients and will have more clinical staff than in the past. We aim to maintain the positive patient experience for which Dr. Cramer is known. Each patient will be incredibly valuable to our team.

MSAV – How is the new company ensuring a smooth transition for both patients and staff during this period of change?

Mr. Huntsman – All of Dr. Cramer’s staff have already transitioned and are valuable members of the BrookWell/Blue Ridge family. We will aim to ensure that each patient also has a seamless and positive transition experience. Obviously, it takes time to get to know new providers, but I am confident that patients will be pleased – and if not, we highly value all feedback so that we can address any concern.

MSAV – What specific improvements or new services can patients and the community look forward to under the new ownership, beyond the immediate changes?

Mr. Huntsman – We will be adding several insurance plans that were not previously covered including all Virginia Medicaid plans, United Healthcare, and others. Further, we will be providing IVIG infusions as well as other infusion treatments. Additionally – we are also looking to do some facility renovations at the Salem MS Center.

MSAV – What is your overarching strategic vision for the MS Center’s future development and its impact within the broader MS community? How do you see the MS Center collaborating with other healthcare providers or community organizations (including the MS Alliance) to enhance patient care and support?

Mr. Huntsman – We desire to serve as many MS patients as possible in the Roanoke and surrounding communities. We want to build on the great work of Dr. Cramer and establish a growing and thriving MS Center of Excellence where all MS patients receive first-class care. We are already engaged with the MS Alliance and I must say I am amazed at how this community is such an incredible source of education and encouragement for individuals with MS… no matter where they are on their journey. Suzanne’s leadership is an inspiration. We also desire to collaborate with any and all healthcare providers in the Roanoke area who may also be serving the healthcare needs of our patients.

MSAV – How does this acquisition align with your company’s broader mission and commitment to neurological care?

Mr. Huntsman – We have been serving the infusion needs of MS and other neurology patients for several years at our BrookWell clinics in Tennessee and Kentucky. We partner with neurologists in this and are blessed to have the opportunity to expand this care to patients in the greater Roanoke and New River Valley area. Our company core values are compassion, integrity, service and excellence – and we aim to live these in how we care for each patient in SouthWest Virginia.

MSAV – What factors about our area particularly resonated with you when considering purchasing the MS Center and Blue Ridge Associates in Neurology?

Mr. Huntsman – We think very highly of people in SouthWest Virginia and have been planning to expand BrookWell into Roanoke for 3 years now, but the timing was not right. When I spoke with Dr. Cramer several weeks ago and she shared that she was going to law school, the time to step forward made itself very clear. In all of my business dealings, nothing has felt as right as this move which continues to be confirmed. It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve this community!

MSAV – What do you believe are the biggest opportunities and challenges for MS care in the coming years, and how does the new MS Center plan to address them?

Mr. Huntsman – The biggest opportunities – I would say – are around the development of new and innovative treatments for patients with MS. Briumvi was launched a little over two years ago and it is showing great results for patients, as well as Ocrevus which has been around for many years and helps many of our patients.

MSAV – For patients who are currently seeing other doctors (e.g., UVA), will the providers at the center collaborate with them to allow for co-management of care?

Mr. Huntsman – It is best for an MS patient to have a single Neurologist directing their care, whether one of our Neurologists or one with another group. That said, we are happy to provide infusions to any and all MS patients – those seeing our Neurologists or a Neurologist elsewhere. We will also collaborate with other non-neurology physicians who may be part of a patient’s care team. Everything we do is for the patient and ensuring that they receive the best care possible.

MSAV – What message would you like to share directly with the MS patients and their families in our community as they navigate these changes?