Our Foundation's Purpose

Our Mission

Our mission is to eliminate financial barriers to headache surgery for patients who have exhausted conservative treatments. When a neurologist identifies you as a surgical candidate but insurance or finances stand in the way, we step in to cover the costs and give you a chance at lasting relief.

headacheMD for all is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation dedicated to providing life-changing nerve decompression surgery and comprehensive headache treatment to patients who cannot afford the costs.

Our mission is to ensure that financial barriers never prevent someone from receiving the expert care they need to live free from chronic, debilitating headaches.

Who We Help

headacheMD for All provides financial assistance to cover the full cost of headache surgery for patients who:

  • Have been evaluated by a neurologist and identified as candidates for surgical intervention
  • Lack insurance coverage for the procedure or are underinsured with prohibitive out-of-pocket costs
  • Cannot afford the surgery costs (typically $15,000-$50,000 depending on procedure)
  • Have tried conservative treatments (medications, nerve blocks, Botox, etc.) without adequate relief
  • Experience chronic, debilitating headaches that significantly impact quality of life

🩺 How Our Program Works

Volunteer Surgical Services: Board-certified surgeons donate their professional time and expertise to provide surgical care at no cost to qualified patients. Participating surgeons receive no compensation—direct or indirect—for their services. The Foundation covers only third-party costs such as hospital facilities, anesthesia services, and medical supplies.

Foundation Covers Third-Party Costs: We pay for hospital facilities, anesthesia, medical supplies, and other necessary expenses—but never surgeon fees.

Result: Patients receive quality surgical care without financial burden.

The Science Behind Our Mission

Research conducted at leading academic institutions has identified nerve compression as a potential contributor to certain chronic headache conditions. For some patients who don't respond to conventional medical management, surgical decompression may provide relief.

For patients who don't respond to targeted medical treatments, nerve decompression surgery can be highly effective—and for many, life-changing.

What We Provide

Comprehensive support for patients who cannot afford specialized headache care

Surgical Financial Assistance

Full or partial funding for nerve decompression surgery for qualified patients who lack insurance coverage or adequate financial resources.

Patient Education

Resources through headache.zone to help patients understand their condition and treatment options.

Making a Difference

For patients with refractory headaches—those who haven't responded to conventional treatments—nerve decompression surgery can provide substantial or complete relief. However, this specialized surgery is often not covered by insurance or is financially out of reach.

headacheMD for all bridges this gap, transforming lives by making this proven treatment accessible to those who need it most.

Contributors to the Foundation:

Application Process

  1. Submit your application (form above or downloadable PDF)
  2. Medical Review Committee evaluates medical necessity (1-2 weeks)
  3. Financial Assistance Committee assesses financial need (1-2 weeks)
  4. You'll receive written notification within 30 days
  5. If approved, we coordinate directly with your surgical team

Required Documentation: Medical records, physician's statement of medical necessity, insurance information, tax returns or W-2 forms, pay stubs (last 3 months).

Questions? Email: info@headacheMD.org | Phone: (713) 426-3337

Apply for Patient Assistance

Take the first step toward life-changing treatment

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for Foundation assistance, you must meet ALL of the following criteria:

Medical Eligibility

  • Diagnosed headache disorder confirmed by a qualified physician
  • Surgical intervention is medically necessary
  • Conservative treatments have been attempted or considered
  • Treatment plan from a qualified surgeon

Financial Eligibility

We use a sliding scale based on household income compared to Federal Poverty Level (FPL):

  • 0-200% of FPL: Up to 100% of third-party costs
  • 201-300% of FPL: Up to 75% of third-party costs
  • 301-400% of FPL: Up to 50% of third-party costs
  • Above 400% of FPL: May qualify with extraordinary circumstances

Note: Foundation assistance pays for third-party costs ONLY (hospital facilities, anesthesia, medical devices, supplies). Surgeon professional fees are donated 100% pro bono.

How Our Program Works

Path to Surgery

Step 1: Neurologist Evaluation (Required)

You must first be evaluated and approved as a surgical candidate by a board-certified neurologist or headache specialist. We do not provide medical evaluations—we fund surgeries that have already been recommended by your physician.

Don't have a neurologist? We can provide referrals to specialists who can evaluate you for surgical candidacy.

Step 2: Apply to Our Foundation

Once your neurologist determines you're a surgical candidate, you can apply for financial assistance:

  • Complete our online application
  • Submit neurologist's letter of medical necessity
  • Provide financial documentation (income verification, insurance denial letters if applicable)
  • Share the surgeon you have been referred to in the headacheMD network

Step 3: Review Process

Our medical advisory board reviews applications within 2-4 weeks based on:

  • Medical necessity and appropriateness of surgery
  • Financial need
  • Available funding
  • Likelihood of surgical benefit

Step 4: Approval & Funding

If approved, we:

  • Pay surgical facility, and anesthesiologist directly
  • Provide funds for post-operative care and follow-up
  • Coordinate payment directly with your medical team

Step 5: Your Surgery

You work with your headacheMD network surgeon and surgical team. We handle all financial aspects so you can focus on recovery.

Our Unique Model

The headacheMD for all Foundation operates on a distinctive charitable model that maximizes patient access while ensuring ethical, compliant operations.

100% Pro Bono Surgical Services

Patient Independence Policy: Patients who receive assistance through the Foundation are under no obligation to continue care with Foundation volunteer providers. Patients may seek follow-up care from any qualified physician of their choice. Volunteer surgeons agree to provide charitable services without expectation of referrals, business development, or other indirect benefits.

This means:

  • Surgeons receive $0 in professional fees from Foundation-assisted patients
  • Surgeons waive all consultation fees, surgical fees, and follow-up fees
  • Surgeons donate their time, expertise, and services as a charitable contribution
  • This is a privilege and responsibility of Network membership

What the Foundation Pays For

Foundation assistance covers only legitimate third-party costs that patients cannot afford:

🏥

Hospital Facilities & Operating Rooms

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Anesthesia Services (Independent Providers)

🔬

Medical Devices & Surgical Supplies

Payment Safeguards

We pay providers directly—never through surgeons:

  • All payments go directly to hospitals, anesthesia groups, and suppliers
  • We verify that zero dollars flow to the operating surgeon
  • Every invoice must show "$0.00 Surgeon Fees - Donated Pro Bono"
  • We require signed agreements confirming the pro bono arrangement
  • Independent audits verify compliance annually

Why This Model Works

Our structure ensures that:

  • Patients get world-class care without impossible costs
  • Surgeons fulfill their charitable mission to serve those in need
  • The Foundation operates ethically with complete transparency
  • Donors see their contributions directly help patients in need
  • Community health improves through increased access to necessary care

Open and Fair Selection

Any patient who meets our eligibility criteria may apply for assistance:

  • You can be referred by any physician or self-refer
  • You are not required to use participating surgeons (though they donate services)
  • Selection is based solely on medical necessity and financial need
  • We do not discriminate based on any protected characteristic
  • Geographic location within our service area is the only location factor

Independent Review Committees (at Board's discression to implement)

Medical Review Committee: Independent physicians (including non-Network doctors) evaluate medical necessity without conflicts of interest.

Financial Assistance Committee: Independent experts assess financial need using objective criteria and documentation.

Committee members with any conflict of interest must recuse themselves from specific cases.

Governance & Leadership

Our Commitment to Excellence

The headacheMD for all Foundation is committed to the highest standards of nonprofit governance, transparency, and accountability. We operate as a 501(c)(3) public charity under IRS regulations.

Board of Directors

Our Board provides strategic oversight and ensures the Foundation fulfills its charitable mission with integrity.

Kathleen Spangler, JD, MPH

President

Pamela Blake, MD, FAHS

Secretary

Brian Hughes, PG, MBA

Treasurer

Board Composition Requirements

  • Independence: A majority of directors have no financial interest in headacheMD network or affiliated medical practices
  • Medical Expertise: At least one board member is a licensed physician with headache expertise and is part of the headacheMD network
  • Financial Expertise: At least one board member has financial, accounting, or nonprofit management expertise
  • Technology Expertise: At least one board member has cryptocurrency, digital asset, or financial technology expertise
  • Limited Network Representation: No more than two directors may be headacheMD network physicians

Conflict of Interest Policy

We maintain rigorous standards to prevent conflicts of interest:

  • Annual Disclosure: Every board member completes a detailed conflict of interest disclosure statement annually
  • Mandatory Recusal: Directors with conflicts must disclose and abstain from voting on affected matters
  • Documentation: All conflicts and recusals are documented in meeting minutes
  • Enforcement: Directors who fail to disclose conflicts may be removed from the Board

Prohibition on Self-Dealing

Zero Tolerance Policy:

  • No board member receives compensation for serving as a director
  • No participating surgeon receives any payment from Foundation funds
  • All surgical services are donated pro bono
  • Foundation pays only third-party costs (hospitals, supplies, etc.)
  • Violations result in immediate removal and legal action

Independent Review Committees (at Board's discression to implement)

Medical Review Committee:

  • At least 3 members, including independent physicians not affiliated with headacheMD network
  • Reviews applications for medical necessity and appropriateness
  • Members recuse themselves from cases involving their own patients

Financial Assistance Committee:

  • At least 3 members with financial and patient advocacy expertise
  • Assesses financial need using objective criteria
  • Independent of healthcare providers who benefit from assistance

Audit & Finance Committee:

  • Oversees financial reporting and internal controls
  • Reviews annual audit results
  • Monitors investment performance and spending compliance

Governance Documents

Key governance documents available for review:

Financial Transparency

Our Commitment to Accountability

As a 501(c)(3) public charity, we are committed to complete financial transparency. We believe donors, patients, and the public have a right to understand how resources are used to fulfill our charitable mission.

Tax-Exempt Status

IRS 501(c)(3) Public Charity

EIN: [XX-XXXXXXX]

Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. (as of November 16th, the State application as been applied, and no Federal approval of Tax exemption has been made by IRS - Donations can be received, but will not be subject to tax exemption until approval is received from the IRS)

Financial Reports & Tax Returns

We make our financial information publicly available for review:

Document Year Download
IRS Form 990 (Pending) 2025 Download PDF
Annual Report (Pending) 2025 Download PDF

How we used the interest on Donations (Fiscal Year 2025)

99%

Patient Assistance Programs

1%

Administrative Expenses

0%

Fundraising & Development

For sustainability, the foundation is committed to only using the interest earned via investiing foundation donations; this will determine how many procedures can be completed in a given year.

Get in Touch

We're here to help you find relief

Location

19907 Empress Crossing Ct, Spring, TX 77379

Phone

713-426-3337

Application Received!

Thank you for submitting your application to headacheMD for all.

Our team will review your application and contact you within 2-3 business days to discuss your treatment options.

Questions? Call us at 713-426-3337