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Dr. Christopher Ames, MD

Dr. Christopher Ames, MD

San Francisco, CA

Accepting patients

Affiliated with a Castle Connolly Top Hospital

    Who is Dr. Ames, Neurosurgeon in San Francisco, CA?

    Dr. Christopher Ames, MD is a Neurosurgeon, who primarily practices in San Francisco, CA with 1 additional practice location. He is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. Dr. Ames graduated from University of California and completed his residency at University of California, San Diego. Dr. Ames is fluent in English and Spanish, and is currently seeing new patients. Dr. Ames’s practice accepts Medicaid, Medicare, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna and other major insurance plans. To book an appointment or to confirm insurance options, please call Dr. Ames’s office at (415) 353-2739.

    What are Areas of Expertise for Dr. Ames?

    Dr. Christopher Ames, MD is a highly-rated, board-certified Neurosurgeon known for expertly diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide array of related conditions or procedures. Utilizing the latest medical advancements and evidence-based practices, Dr. Ames empowers patients to confidently navigate their health journey, specializing in Scoliosis, Spinal Deformity, Spinal Reconstructive Surgery, Spinal Surgery, Spinal Trauma, Spinal Tumors, or comprehensive wellness support. Serving the San Francisco/CA community, Dr. Ames is dedicated to enhancing lives through expert, patient-centered care.

    Where did Dr. Ames go to medical school and complete their residency?

    • Fellowship: Barrow Neurological Institute, Neurosurgery | Barrow Neurological Institute

    • Residency: University of California, San Diego | University of California, San Diego | UCSD Medical Center | UCSD-Kaiser San Diego

    • Medical School: University of California

    Is Dr. Ames board certified in Neurosurgeon?

    Yes, Dr. Christopher Ames, MD is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery

    What languages does Dr. Ames speak?

    Dr. Ames and their clinical team can communicate with patients in the following languages:

    • English

    • Spanish

    What conditions does Dr. Ames treat?

    As a Neurosurgeon, Dr. Ames diagnoses, treats, and manages a wide range of conditions. This condition information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical conditions most commonly treated by Dr. Ames. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly.

    Also known as:

    • Joint Fusion Status
    • Surgical Joint Fusion
    • Arthrodesis History
    • Fused Joint

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • Z981: Arthrodesis status

    Also known as:

    • Neck Spinal Stenosis
    • Lower Back Spinal Stenosis
    • Neck Injuries and Disorder
    • Spinal Stenosis
    • Narrowing of Neck Spinal Canal
    • Cervical Spinal Canal Narrowing
    • Cervical Stenosis
    • Narrowing of Lower Back Spinal Canal
    • Lumbar Spinal Canal Narrowing
    • Lumbar Stenosis

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M4802: Spinal stenosis, cervical region
    • M48061: Spinal stenosis, lumbar region without neurogenic claudication

    Also known as:

    • Other Orthopedic Aftercare
    • General orthopedic recovery
    • Musculoskeletal post-op care
    • Bone and joint follow-up

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • Z4789: Encounter for other orthopedic aftercare

    Also known as:

    • Scoliosis
    • Curved Spine
    • Spinal Curvature
    • Backbone Curve

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M419: Scoliosis, unspecified

    Also known as:

    • Bone, Soft Tissue, or Skin Growth of Unknown Type
    • Bone Disease
    • Skin Condition
    • Bone tumor of unknown nature
    • Skin lesion of unknown type
    • Soft tissue mass of unknown behavior

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • D492: Neoplasm of unspecified behavior of bone, soft tissue, and skin

    Also known as:

    • Spondylolisthesis of the Lower Back
    • Spine Injuries and Disorder
    • Slipped Vertebra in Lower Back
    • Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
    • Lower Back Spinal Slip

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M4316: Spondylolisthesis, lumbar region

    Also known as:

    • Neck Pain
    • Neck Injuries and Disorder
    • Cervical Pain
    • Sore Neck
    • Neck Ache

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M542: Cervicalgia

    Also known as:

    • Lower Back Disc Degeneration
    • Spine Injuries and Disorder
    • Degenerative Disc Disease in Lower Back
    • Worn Lumbar Discs
    • Lumbar Disc Wear and Tear

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M5136: Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region

    Also known as:

    • Pinched Nerve in Lower Back
    • Back Pain
    • Peripheral Nerve Disorder
    • Lumbar Radiculopathy
    • Lower Back Nerve Compression
    • Compressed Nerve in Lower Back

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M5416: Radiculopathy, lumbar region

    Also known as:

    • Cancer Surgery Aftercare
    • After Surgery
    • Cancer
    • Post-cancer surgery care
    • Oncology aftercare
    • Cancer recovery follow-up

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • Z483: Aftercare following surgery for neoplasm

    Also known as:

    • Other Spine Deformities
    • Spine Injuries and Disorder
    • Backbone Deformity
    • Spinal Curvature Disorder

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M438X9: Other specified deforming dorsopathies, site unspecified

    Also known as:

    • Neck Disc Degeneration
    • Neck Injuries and Disorder
    • Degenerative Disc Disease in Neck
    • Worn Neck Discs
    • Cervical Spondylosis

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M5030: Other cervical disc degeneration, unspecified cervical region

    Also known as:

    • Other Post-Surgery Condition
    • Postoperative State
    • Recovery After Surgery
    • Surgical Follow-up

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • Z98890: Other specified postprocedural states

    Also known as:

    • Other Pre-Procedure Examination
    • Various pre-op checks
    • Miscellaneous pre-surgery exams
    • Other pre-treatment assessments

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • Z01818: Encounter for other preprocedural examination

    Also known as:

    • Lower Back Spondylosis
    • Spine Injuries and Disorder
    • Lumbar Spondylosis
    • Lower Back Arthritis
    • Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disease

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M47816: Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, lumbar region

    Also known as:

    • Lower Back Disc Displacement
    • Spine Injuries and Disorder
    • Slipped Disc in Lower Back
    • Herniated Disc in Lumbar Spine
    • Lumbar Disc Protrusion

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M5126: Other intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar region

    Also known as:

    • Nervous System Surgery Aftercare
    • After Surgery
    • Post-neurological surgery care
    • Brain surgery aftercare
    • Spine surgery aftercare

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • Z48811: Encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on the nervous system

    Also known as:

    • Low Back Pain
    • Back Pain
    • Lumbago
    • Lower Back Ache
    • Backache

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M5450: Low back pain, unspecified

    Also known as:

    • Other Spinal Cord Disease
    • Spinal Cord Disease
    • Various Spinal Cord Conditions
    • Uncommon Spinal Cord Problems
    • Specified Spinal Cord Disorder

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • G9589: Other specified diseases of spinal cord

    Does Dr. Ames accept my insurance?

    Dr. Ames accepts most major insurance plans. Important: Please call our office at (415) 353-2739 before your appointment to verify that your specific plan and network are accepted.

    What insurance plans does Dr. Ames accept in San Francisco, CA?

    Dr. Ames in San Francisco, CA accepts plans from many carriers. While this list is updated regularly, it is not a guarantee of coverage.

    Top Insurances

    • Alignment Health Plan

    • All Other Third Party

    • Blue Shield of California

    • Centene

    • CVS Health (formerly Aetna)

    • Health Plan of San Joaquin

    • Hill Physicians Medical Group

    • Medicare

    • Physicians Mutual Insurance Company

    • UnitedHealthcare

    View All Insurances

    Where is Dr. Ames' office located?

    Dr. Christopher Ames' Primary Practice

    505 Parnassus Ave # M1490

    San Francisco, CA 94143

    (415) 353-2739

    Get Directions

    Dr. Christopher Ames' Practice 2

    1600 Divisadero St

    San Francisco, CA 94143

    Get Directions

    Recognitions

    Awards

    San Francisco Super Doctors

    What is Dr. Ames's NPI number?An National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique ID number that identifies doctors and healthcare providers nationwide.

    Dr. Ames's National Provider Identifier (NPI) number is 1265485155.

    What common questions do patients ask about Dr. Ames?

    Here are answers to patients Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Dr. Ames

    What is Dr. Christopher Ames's specialty?

    Dr. Ames is a Neurosurgeon near San Francisco, CA. A neurological surgeon is responsible to provide the operative and non-operative management which includes prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, critical care, & rehabilitation of various disorders related to the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems. This includes their supporting structures and vascular supply, the complete evaluation and treatment of pathological process which is known to modify function or activity of the nervous system, the operative & non-operative management of pain. A neurological surgeon has specialization in treating patients with disorders of the nervous system which includes conditions affecting the brain, meninges, skull, and their blood supply, such as the extracranial carotid and vertebral arteries. They also manage disorders related to the pituitary gland, spinal cord, meninges, and vertebral column, including those that may require spinal fusion or instrumentation. In addition to this, they treat conditions affecting the cranial and spinal nerves throughout their course in the body. Contact Dr. Ames to book an appointment today.

    Is this Dr. Christopher Ames affiliated with a ranked Castle Connolly Top Hospital?

    Yes, Dr. Ames is affiliated with UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus which is a Castle Connolly Top Hospital. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals are healthcare institutions recognized for their excellence in specific medical procedures and overall patient care. They are identified through a rigorous peer nomination process, evaluating factors like patient outcomes, quality of care, and expertise. The list recognizes hospitals that excel in 20 or more specific medical procedures, representing the top 25% nationwide. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals

    Where can I learn more about Neurosurgeon?

    Explore Neurosurgeon with insights from trusted medical experts on EverydayHealth.com, where you'll find the most relevant content and helpful condition guides for up-to date information about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and more. See all our health guides to find trusted information on medical conditions from our experts at Everyday Health.

    Is Christopher Ames accepting new patients in San Francisco, CA?

    Yes, Dr. Christopher Ames is accepting new patients at this time.

    Does Dr. Christopher Ames offer online booking?

    Please contact Dr. Ames's office at (415) 353-2739 for information about online booking, telehealth, or to schedule an appointment.

    How can I make an appointment with Christopher Ames?

    Please contact Dr. Ames's office at (415) 353-2739 for information regarding telehealth appointment availability or for scheduling assistance.

    Which board certifications does Dr. Christopher Ames have?

    Dr. Christopher Ames is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery.

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