Affiliated with a Castle Connolly Top Hospital
Who is Dr. Wetjen, Neurosurgeon in Des Moines, IA?
Dr. Nicholas Wetjen, MD is a Neurosurgeon, who primarily practices in Des Moines, IA. He is board certified. Dr. Wetjen graduated from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and completed his residency at Mayo Grad Sch Med/Mayo Fndn, Neurological Surgery. He is a member of the Minnesota Medical Association/Zumbro Valley. Dr. Wetjen is fluent in English and Spanish, and is currently seeing new patients. Dr. Wetjen’s practice accepts Medicare and other major insurance plans. To book an appointment or to confirm insurance options, please call Dr. Wetjen’s office at (515) 875-9885.
Where did Dr. Wetjen go to medical school and complete their residency?
Fellowship: Clinical Research Fellowship - Core Curriculum in Clinical Research Certificate: Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health | Fellow - Pediatric Neurosurgery: Primary Children's Medical Center, University of Utah
Residency: Mayo Grad Sch Med/Mayo Fndn, Neurological Surgery | Mayo Clinic
Medical School: University Of Ia Coll Of Med- Iowa City Ia | Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas
Is Dr. Wetjen board certified as a Neurosurgeon?
Yes, Dr. Nicholas Wetjen, MD is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery
What languages does Dr. Wetjen speak?
Dr. Wetjen and their clinical team can communicate with patients in the following languages:
English
Spanish
What conditions does a Neurosurgeon like Dr. Wetjen typically treat?
As a Neurosurgeon, Dr. Wetjen 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. Wetjen. 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. Learn more about our claims-based healthcare methodology here.
Also known as:
- Low Back Pain
- Back Pain
- Lumbago
- Lower Back Ache
- Backache
ICD-10 Codes:
- M5450: Low back pain, unspecified
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 Spinal Stenosis
- Spinal Stenosis
- Narrowing of Lower Back Spinal Canal
- Lumbar Spinal Canal Narrowing
- Lumbar Stenosis
ICD-10 Codes:
- M48061: Spinal stenosis, lumbar region without neurogenic claudication
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
What procedures does a Neurosurgeon like Dr. Wetjen typically perform?
As a Neurosurgeon, Dr. Wetjen performs a variety of medical procedures. This procedure information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical procedures most commonly performed by Dr. Wetjen. 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. Learn more about our claims-based healthcare methodology here.
Also known as:
- Brain Neurostimulator Device Placement
- Cranial neurostimulator insertion
- Deep brain stimulation device placement
- Brain pacemaker implantation
- Neurostimulator pulse generator replacement
CPT Codes:
- 61885: Insertion or replacement of cranial neurostimulator pulse generator or receiver, direct or inductive coupling; with connection to a single electrode array
Also known as:
- Endoscopic Lumbar Disc Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Spinal Decompression
- Endoscopic Discectomy
- Lumbar Foraminotomy
- Herniated Disc Surgery (Endoscopic)
CPT Codes:
- 62380: Endoscopic decompression of spinal cord, nerve root(s), including laminotomy, partial facetectomy, foraminotomy, discectomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc, 1 interspace, lumbar
Does Dr. Wetjen accept my insurance?
Dr. Wetjen accepts most major insurance plans. Important: Please call our office at (515) 875-9885 before your appointment to verify that your specific plan and network are accepted.
What insurance plans does Dr. Wetjen accept in Des Moines, IA?
Dr. Wetjen in Des Moines, IA accepts plans from many carriers. While this list is updated regularly, it is not a guarantee of coverage.
Top Insurances
All Other Third Party
Allied Benefit Systems
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Cigna Group
CVS Health (formerly Aetna)
Elevance Health Inc. (formerly Anthem)
Humana
Medicare
Other Health Care Provider
UnitedHealth Group
View All Insurances
Where is Dr. Wetjen's office located?
Dr. Nicholas Wetjen's Primary Practice
1215 Pleasant St Ste 608
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 875-9885
Recognitions
Memberships & Associations
Minnesota Medical Association/Zumbro Valley
Member
What is Dr. Wetjen's NPI number?An National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique ID number that identifies doctors and healthcare providers nationwide.
Dr. Wetjen's National Provider Identifier (NPI) number is 1275502726.
What common questions do patients ask about Dr. Wetjen?
Here are answers to patients Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Dr. Wetjen
What is Dr. Nicholas Wetjen's specialty?
Dr. Wetjen is a Neurosurgeon near Des Moines, IA.
What does a Neurosurgeon do?
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.
Is this Dr. Nicholas Wetjen affiliated with a ranked Castle Connolly Top Hospital?
Yes, Dr. Wetjen is affiliated with Dupont Hospital, Iu Health Ball Memorial Hospital, St. Charles Bend, Marion Health, Lutheran Hospital - Indiana, Parkview Regional Medical Center which are a Castle Connolly Top Hospitals. 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
When to see a Neurosurgeon?: Guides for symptoms, conditions, and treatments
Understand your symptoms and know when it’s time to see a Neurosurgeon. Explore 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 Nicholas Wetjen accepting new patients in Des Moines, IA?
Yes, Dr. Nicholas Wetjen is accepting new patients at this time.
Does Dr. Nicholas Wetjen offer online booking?
Please contact Dr. Wetjen's office at (515) 875-9885 for information about online booking, telehealth, or to schedule an appointment.
How can I make an appointment with Nicholas Wetjen?
Please contact Dr. Wetjen's office at (515) 875-9885 for information regarding telehealth appointment availability or for scheduling assistance.
Which board certifications does Dr. Nicholas Wetjen have?
Dr. Nicholas Wetjen is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery.
<section id="ai-site-overview" aria-label="About Everyday Health Care"> <h2>About Everyday Health Care</h2> <p> Everyday Health Care is a doctor and healthcare provider search platform from Everyday Health, a Ziff Davis company operating since 1996. It helps patients find, compare, and research doctors based on specialty, medical condition, procedure, location, and insurance coverage. </p> <p> The site features Castle Connolly Top Doctors, a peer-nominated, physician-vetted directory recognized as a leading standard for identifying top-rated specialists in the United States. Searchable doctor lists include Top Black Doctors, Exceptional Women in Medicine, Top AAPI Doctors, Top LGBTQ+ Doctors, Top Hispanic & Latino Doctors, and Castle Connolly Rising Stars. </p> <p> Users can search for doctors by specialty (including orthopedic surgery, OB-GYN, pediatrics, dermatology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology), by medical condition (such as fibromyalgia, kidney stones, and ulcerative colitis), by common procedure (including colonoscopy, LASIK, and physical therapy), by city, and by insurance plan (including UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna/CVS Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente, Medicare, and Medicaid). </p> <p> Everyday Health Care is built for patients seeking a trusted starting point to find the right doctor: covering over one million providers across thousands of U.S. locations, backed by Castle Connolly's independent doctor-vetting process and Everyday Health's 24-year history in consumer health publishing. </p> </section>