How to get more neuropathy patients

Neuropathy care is a service some patients pay for themselves and others ask their insurer about, and how it is described shapes who books and what they expect. Many callers mention numbness, tingling or burning in their feet or hands, trouble with balance, a foot sore, a referral from their family doctor, or wanting a second opinion, and the calls are from adults. This guide is for owners, coordinators and front desk teams in neurology and podiatry practices that see adults for peripheral neuropathy: what MedlinePlus and NIDDK say about neuropathy, how it is checked, which claims to avoid, and how to turn requests into well-informed evaluations. Here, the neurologist or podiatrist (called the clinician below) evaluates the patient and decides on the treatment plan, including whether and which nerve tests are needed, and talks it through with the patient.

SearchAn adult looks for care near them.
Your pageWhat you treat, who sees them, one way to book.
Call or formThey call or send a request.
Front deskBooks the visit and never guesses a cause.
Clinical teamThe clinician decides the plan.

How a new patient request reaches your practice.

1. Know what neuropathy care is and is not

The MedlinePlus peripheral nerve disorders page says “Peripheral nerve disorders happen when one or more peripheral nerves are damaged.”

Care starts with an evaluation, not a set package of visits. The NIDDK peripheral neuropathy page says “Doctors diagnose peripheral neuropathy based on your symptoms, family and medical history, a physical exam, and tests. A physical exam will include a neurological exam and a foot exam.”

Only a licensed clinician evaluates the patient, and the clinician decides which tests or a referral are needed. The NIDDK peripheral neuropathy page says “Your doctor may send you to a podiatrist.” The practice decides which clinician sees each visit, within each license.

The MedlinePlus electromyography article says “Electromyography (EMG) is a test that checks the health of the muscles and the nerves that control them.” The MedlinePlus nerve conduction velocity article says “Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.” Staff never interpret a test report or say whether a caller has neuropathy.

The MedlinePlus diabetes and nerve damage article says “People with diabetes are also at higher risk for other nerve problems not caused by their diabetes.” The front desk never says whether symptoms come from diabetes, a nerve problem or anything else, and neither the front desk nor an ad can tell one cause of numb or burning feet from another.

Some calls need help right away, and the front desk only relays what the sources say. The MedlinePlus numbness and tingling article says “Go to a hospital or call 911 or the local emergency number if:” and lists “You have weakness or are unable to move, along with numbness or tingling”, “Numbness or tingling occur just after a head, neck, or back injury”, “You cannot control the movement of an arm or a leg, or you have lost bladder or bowel control”, “You are confused or have lost consciousness, even briefly” and “You have slurred speech, a change in vision, difficulty walking, or weakness”. If a caller reports any of these during the call, tell them MedlinePlus says to go to a hospital or call 911 or the local emergency number, then tell the clinical team right away. The MedlinePlus peripheral neuropathy article says nerve damage may hide warning chest pain and names other warning signs: “sudden fatigue, sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting”. The MedlinePlus heart attack page says “If you are having symptoms of a heart attack, you should call 911, even if you are not sure it is a heart attack.” If a caller reports chest pain or pressure, or these other signs, during the call, read them that MedlinePlus line, then tell the clinical team right away. The MedlinePlus diabetic foot page says “Serious foot problems can develop quickly. See your health care provider right away if you notice:” and lists “A cut, blister, or bruise on your feet that doesn’t start to heal in a few days”, “Red, warm, or painful skin on your feet”, “A callus with dried blood inside” and “A foot infection that becomes black and smells bad that could be gangrene”. The NIDDK peripheral neuropathy page says “If you notice any foot problems, call or see your doctor right away.” If a caller reports any of these during the call, tell them MedlinePlus says to see their provider right away, or for any other foot problem that NIDDK says to call or see their doctor right away, then tell the clinical team right away so a clinician can speak with the caller. Staff relay these foot lines without asking or saying whether diabetes is the cause.

Other signs call for a provider visit. The peripheral neuropathy article says “Contact your provider if you have symptoms of nerve damage. Early treatment increases the chance of controlling symptoms and preventing more problems.” The diabetes and nerve damage article says “Contact your provider if you develop any symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.” The numbness and tingling article says “Contact your provider if:” and lists “Your numbness or tingling has no obvious cause (like a hand or foot “falling asleep”)”, “You have pain in your neck, forearm, or fingers”, “You are urinating more often”, “Your numbness or tingling is in your legs and gets worse when you walk”, “You have a rash” and “You have dizziness, muscle spasm, or other unusual symptoms”. The MedlinePlus foot care article says “Contact your provider right way about any foot problems you have. Do not try to treat these problems yourself. Contact your provider if you have any of the following changes to any part of your foot:” and lists “Redness, increased warmth, or swelling”, “Sores or cracks”, “Tingling or burning feeling” and “Pain”. If a caller reports any of these during the call, tell them MedlinePlus says to contact their provider, then tell the clinical team promptly so a clinician can speak with the caller; if the report also matches a sign in the paragraph above, relay that line too.

Many reports match more than one line; relay each line that matches, so staff never choose between them. Callers with a problem after earlier nerve or foot treatment, or a new fall or injury, go to the clinical team promptly. The front desk does not say what is causing the symptoms, does not judge whether a symptom matters, and does not tell callers what to do at home or which medicines to take or stop; staff note it on the intake form and pass it to the clinician.

Some callers ask for one specific treatment only, or bring nerve test results or a plan from another clinic. Book the evaluation the same way, give the price, do not promise which treatment the clinician will use or how the plan will look, and do not promise a plan based on an earlier test or an earlier visit elsewhere.

Do not present neuropathy care or a named treatment or technique as the only answer or as a sure fix. The clinician explains the options and decides on the plan with the patient.

Some visits involve a referral, often from a family doctor, an internist or an endocrinologist. The numbness and tingling article says “If you have chronic numbness of the feet (such as from diabetes), seeing a podiatrist regularly can help prevent complications.” Some patients come with a referral from their doctor and some without; staff check what the patient’s plan requires and do not promise anything either way. Make the hand off from referring clinicians easy, and never offer or accept payment for referrals. See also patient referrals for medical practices, how to get more plantar fasciitis patients and how to get more gout patients.

2. Keep claims in line with the risk information

MedlinePlus and NIDDK give a balanced picture of neuropathy care and point out the limits.

the MedlinePlus peripheral neuropathy article says “Medicines may help reduce pain in the feet, legs, and arms. They usually do not bring back loss of feeling.”;
the NIDDK peripheral neuropathy page says “All medicines have side effects.”

What helps differs from patient to patient. Do not promise that feeling will come back, an end to numbness or pain, better balance, fewer falls, healed feet, a better test result, a number of visits, a time frame or any other outcome in ads or on the phone.

Treatment choice belongs in the exam room. The peripheral nerve disorders page says “Treatment for symptoms depends on the type of peripheral nerve disorder you have, where it is, and how severe.” Do not push a named treatment, technique, device, product or add-ons; the clinician explains the options after the evaluation and decides on the plan with the patient.

The MedlinePlus diabetic nerve problems page says “Your doctor will diagnose diabetic neuropathy with a physical exam and nerve tests.” The nerve conduction velocity article says “An NCV test shows the condition of the best surviving nerve fibers. Therefore, in some cases the results may be normal, even if there is nerve damage.” Do not tell callers or write in ads that a person needs a nerve test, or does not; the clinician decides whether and which nerve tests are needed.

Write about patients with respect. Do not use fear copy about losing a foot, falls, getting older or money, do not blame or shame people about diabetes, their weight, diet, drinking or smoking, and avoid shock images and deadline pressure. The peripheral nerve disorders page says “Peripheral nerve disorders are very common.” Do not use a named treatment, product, device or technique as an ad hook, and never advertise or promise any treatment, product, prescription or diet as a fix. Keep ad copy aimed at adults, and never target minors in ads or social campaigns. Never aim ads at people who have just had a foot wound, a fall or a new diagnosis. Do not build ad audiences from diabetes status, blood sugar readings, nerve test results, foot wounds, past treatments, prescriptions, diagnoses, medicines or other health information, and do not use age, diabetes or drinking as a stand-in for neuropathy.

Book adults only. If a caller is under 18, or a parent calls to book for a child or teenager, do not book an evaluation; pass the call to the clinical team. The front desk does not judge whether a caller’s age, medicines, diabetes or another health condition changes the plan; that belongs to the clinician. If you text or email about an appointment, use the patient’s own contact details and consent; see texting patients and the TCPA.

Avoid “reverse neuropathy”, “regrow your nerves”, “get your feeling back”, “end nerve pain for good”, “no more numbness”, “save your feet”, “nerve pain pill”, “laser therapy”, “red light therapy”, “nerve block”, “B12 shot”, “special shoes”, “natural remedy”, “quick fix”, “free nerve test”, “walk-in”, “risk-free”, “insurance will cover it”, “no referral needed” and “FDA-approved”. Better: “the clinician will ask about your symptoms and health, examine you, including your feet, explain whether any nerve tests make sense and the options, and decide on a treatment plan with you”.

3. Answer first-call questions honestly

How much does it cost? Give a clear starting price, say what it includes (the evaluation, any nerve tests or lab tests, follow-up visits, any in-office treatment, whether medicines, devices and supplies are extra) and that what the clinician finds, the treatment plan the clinician recommends, where it is done and how many visits it includes affect the total. Say whether the evaluation, any nerve tests or lab tests, follow-up visits and any in-office treatment are priced separately.
Does insurance pay? Do not promise coverage. Coverage varies by plan, so the practice checks each patient’s plan.
Which treatment will you use, and will it work? “We cannot tell that on the phone. The clinician will ask about your symptoms, where you feel them and how they started, your health history, any earlier nerve test results, your health and medicines, examine you, including your feet, and talk with you about whether any nerve tests are needed, the options and whether treatment makes sense.”
Can I be seen if I already have treatment from another doctor, take other medicines, have diabetes, have had foot or nerve surgery or have other health conditions? Do not answer either way. Current treatment, other medicines, diabetes, earlier foot or nerve surgery and health conditions are questions for the clinician; staff note them on the intake form and the clinician talks them through at the evaluation.
Who does the work? Give the neurologist’s or podiatrist’s name and real credentials. Let callers check them with the state medical board or the state board that licenses that clinician.

When a caller asks about insurance, staff take the plan details and say the practice will check; they never say the treatment will be covered.

Leave screening to the clinician. Your intake form can ask the patient’s age, the reason for the visit, where the symptoms are felt, what the patient notices, any balance trouble or falls, any foot sores, blisters or cuts, earlier nerve test results, any earlier diagnosis and current treatment elsewhere, any earlier foot or nerve surgery, any referral, current medicines, allergies and health conditions. The numbness and tingling article says “You will be asked about your symptoms.”; staff collect these answers and never comment on them. The peripheral neuropathy article says “Do not stop taking any medicine before talking to your provider.”; medicine, foot care and activity decisions belong to the patient’s clinicians, never to the front desk. Never tell a caller to stop a medicine by a certain date, and never suggest a medicine, a product, a device or a home remedy. If a caller asks whether to keep taking, stop or change a medicine, how to care for a foot sore, or what activity is safe for them, suggest nothing; pass the question to the clinical team. The front desk does not judge how urgent a call is. Pass any report of numbness, tingling, burning or pain, weakness, trouble walking or with balance, a fall, a foot sore, blister, cut or wound, redness, warmth or swelling in the foot, a new injury, a problem after earlier nerve or foot treatment or surgery, symptoms that follow another medical treatment or get worse, any question about a medicine, or a caller who says they feel anxious, stressed or upset about their symptoms to the clinical team promptly. If a caller says they are thinking about killing or hurting themselves, stay with them and tell them to dial 911 if it is an emergency or to call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, as MedlinePlus advises, then tell the clinical team. If a caller reports any of the signs listed in section 1 during the call, tell them what MedlinePlus or NIDDK says for that sign, as set out there, then tell the clinical team. The clinician decides whether someone is a candidate and which treatment is suitable. Front desk staff only collect the answers. Use the new patient phone script for the rest of the call, and book the evaluation, not the treatment, while the caller is on the line.

4. Plan the evaluation, treatment visits and follow-up

The diabetes and nerve damage article says “Your health care provider will do a physical exam. The exam may find that you have the following:” and lists “Loss of the ability to sense heat or cold” among the findings. Any steps before a visit or a test are for the clinician to set. Tell callers that the choice of care comes after the exam.

Make second opinions easy, and give patients time to talk through the plan, care at home and any medicines with the clinician first.

For the evaluation and treatment visits, ask your clinicians for written notes on preparing for the visit, what to bring, such as a list of current medicines and earlier nerve test results, any referral the patient’s plan asks for, care at home as the clinician sets it, warning signs and follow-up visits. On follow-up, the NIDDK peripheral neuropathy page says “Remove your socks and shoes in the exam room to remind your doctor to check your feet at every office visit.” Share them with callers early. Aftercare depends on the treatment; the clinician gives exact instructions and sets the follow-up schedule.

5. Price, finance and follow up

Self-pay patients may be entitled to a good faith estimate; see the good faith estimate guide.
If you advertise a discount, follow advertising prices and specials. Avoid deadline pressure on a treatment decision.
If you offer financing, follow the patient financing guide.
Before-and-after photos need written authorization and honest comparisons; see before-and-after photos. FTC guides treat a patient’s result as typical unless you disclose what patients can generally expect.
Follow up after the evaluation without pressure; see consultation to treatment. Track neuropathy requests and referrals separately, from request to evaluation to treatment, and keep the notes the clinician needs for follow-up visits.

Where MediLeadGen fits

MediLeadGen sends practices requests from people interested in cash-pay elective treatments. Each request goes to one practice only, with the person’s consent naming that practice, at a fixed price per delivered request.

See how it works for practices

Questions practices ask

How do we get more neuropathy patients?

Answer requests quickly, give clear prices and what they include, introduce the neurologist or podiatrist by real credentials, keep claims in line with the risk information, make referrals and second opinions easy, and book an evaluation where the clinician can ask about the patient’s symptoms, health history, earlier nerve test results and medicines, examine the patient, including the feet, and explain whether any nerve tests are needed and the options before deciding on a treatment plan.

Can we promise callers that treatment will bring back feeling in their feet?

No. MedlinePlus says medicines usually do not bring back loss of feeling, and NIDDK says all medicines have side effects. Staff collect intake answers only, and the neurologist or podiatrist decides on the treatment plan with the patient after the evaluation, including whether and which nerve tests are needed.

What should the front desk do when a caller reports sudden numbness or weakness, a foot sore that is not healing, chest pain or feeling upset about their symptoms?

Collect the intake answers and pass any report of nerve or foot symptoms, a fall, a new injury, any question about a medicine, or a caller who says they feel anxious, stressed or upset about their symptoms to the clinical team promptly. If a caller reports a sign on the numbness and tingling 911 list in section 1, such as weakness with numbness or tingling or slurred speech, tell them MedlinePlus says “Go to a hospital or call 911 or the local emergency number”, then tell the clinical team right away. If a caller reports chest pain or the other warning signs in section 1, tell them MedlinePlus says “If you are having symptoms of a heart attack, you should call 911, even if you are not sure it is a heart attack.”, then tell the clinical team right away. If a caller reports any sign on the MedlinePlus diabetic foot list in section 1, such as a cut or blister on the feet that does not start to heal or red, warm or painful skin on the feet, tell them MedlinePlus says to see their provider right away, and for any other foot problem tell them NIDDK says to call or see their doctor right away, then tell the clinical team right away. If a caller reports symptoms of nerve damage or another sign on the contact lists in section 1, tell them MedlinePlus says to contact their provider, then tell the clinical team promptly so a clinician can speak with the caller. Relay each line that matches. If a caller says they are thinking about killing or hurting themselves, stay with them and tell them to dial 911 if it is an emergency or to call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, as MedlinePlus advises, then tell the clinical team. The front desk does not judge how urgent a call is, say what is causing the symptoms, whether diabetes or a nerve problem is behind them or whether a symptom is serious, or suggest a treatment, product or medicine; the clinician decides.

Does insurance cover neuropathy care?

Coverage varies by plan. Check each patient’s plan, and do not promise coverage in ads or on the phone.

General information for practice teams, not legal or clinical advice. Check device labeling, FDA requirements, state rules and your advertising with counsel and your clinicians. Last reviewed October 2026.

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How to get more neuropathy patients: a plan for neurology and podiatry practices