MS Center of Atlanta: What to Know About Multiple Sclerosis Care in Atlanta, GA

If you or someone you care about is living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Atlanta, you may be searching for an MS center that offers specialized care, testing, and support. While there are several neurology practices in the metro area, it helps to understand how MS care typically works in Atlanta, what an “MS Center” usually provides, and how to find services that fit your needs.

This guide walks through how MS care is organized in Atlanta, key places to know about, and practical tips for getting connected with local resources.

What Is an “MS Center” and How Does It Work in Atlanta?

An MS center is generally a clinic or program that focuses specifically on diagnosing and managing multiple sclerosis. These centers often bring together:

• Neurologists with MS expertise
• Infusion services for MS medications
• Imaging such as MRI
• Rehabilitation and therapy (physical, occupational, speech)
• Mental health and social work support

In Atlanta, MS services are usually delivered through:

1. Large academic medical centers
2. Hospital-affiliated neurology groups
3. Private neurology practices with MS-focused providers
4. Rehabilitation centers familiar with MS-related mobility and function issues

You may not always see the exact name “MS Center of Atlanta” on a building sign, but several Atlanta facilities function like MS centers by offering coordinated, MS-focused care.

Major Atlanta-Area Facilities That Commonly Provide MS Care

Below is a simple overview of the types of MS-related care you’re likely to find in Atlanta. This is not a ranking or endorsement, but a way to understand your options.

When searching online, you’ll often see terms like “MS specialist,” “MS clinic,” “neuroimmunology,” or “demyelinating disease clinic” instead of a specific name like “MS Center of Atlanta.” All of these can be relevant to MS care.

How MS Care Typically Works in Atlanta

1. Getting an Initial Evaluation

If you’re experiencing symptoms that might be related to MS—such as vision changes, numbness, weakness, or coordination problems—people in Atlanta commonly start in one of three ways:

• Primary care provider (PCP): Many Atlantans begin with their PCP, who can refer them to a neurologist.
• Neurology referral: Some people go directly to a neurology clinic if their insurance allows self-referral.
• Emergency or urgent care: If symptoms are severe or sudden, people may first be seen in an emergency department (for example, at a large Atlanta hospital) and then referred to neurology.

From there, neurologists in the Atlanta area typically arrange:

• MRI scans (brain and possibly spine) at local imaging centers or hospital imaging departments
• Blood tests to rule out other conditions
• Sometimes a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) at a hospital or outpatient procedure center

2. Ongoing Neurology Care

Once MS is diagnosed or strongly suspected, many people in Atlanta receive ongoing care from:

• A general neurologist who is comfortable managing MS
• A specialist in MS or neuroimmunology within a larger neurology group or academic center

These providers commonly focus on:

• Monitoring disease activity with MRI and office visits
• Managing disease-modifying therapies (DMTs)
• Addressing symptoms such as fatigue, spasticity, pain, or bladder issues
• Coordinating with other specialists, including rehabilitation and mental health

Key Components of MS Care You Can Find in Atlanta

Neurology and Subspecialty Clinics

In Atlanta and the nearby metro area, you are likely to find:

• Board-certified neurologists with experience in MS
• Subspecialists in neuroimmunology or demyelinating diseases
• Clinics attached to large hospitals that can coordinate hospital and outpatient care

When you call a neurology office in Atlanta, you can ask directly:

• “Do you have a provider who specializes in multiple sclerosis or demyelinating disease?”
• “Do you offer infusion services in-house, or refer to a separate infusion center?”

MRI and Imaging Centers

MS evaluation and monitoring rely heavily on MRI. In Atlanta, MRIs may be performed:

• At major hospitals with neurology departments
• At independent imaging centers located throughout the metro area
• At imaging departments attached to academic medical centers or large clinics

If transportation is an issue, many people choose imaging locations based on MARTA access or proximity to major roads like I-75/85, I-285, GA-400, or I-20.

Infusion and Injection Services

Many MS medications are given by infusion (IV) or injection. In Atlanta, these services are typically provided:

• In hospital-based infusion centers
• In office-based infusion suites within neurology practices
• At specialty infusion centers that work with multiple referring practices

It’s common for Atlanta-area patients to coordinate infusion scheduling with:

• Their neurologist’s office
• A specialty pharmacy that delivers medication to the infusion center

Always confirm:

• Whether the infusion center is in-network with your insurance
• Parking arrangements and accessibility (this can matter a lot on infusion days)

Rehabilitation and Therapy Services

Because MS can affect mobility, coordination, and energy, rehabilitation services play a big role. In Atlanta, you can typically access:

• Physical therapy (PT): For balance, strength, walking, and mobility aids
• Occupational therapy (OT): For daily tasks, energy conservation, and home adaptations
• Speech-language pathology (SLP): For speech, swallowing, and cognitive support if needed

These services are offered across the city and suburbs in:

• Hospital outpatient rehab centers
• Standalone rehab clinics
• Some large medical practices with in-house therapy teams

Practical Steps for Finding MS-Focused Care in Atlanta

If you’re specifically looking for an “MS center” in Atlanta, this step-by-step approach can help you connect with the right care:

1. Start With Insurance and Location

• Call your health insurance and ask for an in-network neurologist in Atlanta, Georgia who treats MS.
• Decide what part of the metro area is most realistic for you:
  • Intown (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead)
  • North metro (Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell, Alpharetta)
  • East (Decatur, Stone Mountain, Conyers)
  • South (College Park, East Point, Union City)
  • West (Austell, Douglasville, Lithia Springs)

This can narrow your search to clinics that are easier to reach regularly.

2. Call Neurology Offices and Ask MS-Specific Questions

When you contact a neurology office in the Atlanta area, consider asking:

• “Do any of your neurologists specialize in multiple sclerosis?”
• “How often do you see patients with MS?”
• “Can your office help coordinate MRI, infusion therapy, and rehab?”
• “If my condition worsens, which hospital would you typically use for admission?”

This helps you figure out whether the practice functions like a dedicated MS center.

3. Ask About Support Services

MS often affects more than just the nervous system. It can influence mood, work, relationships, and daily life. In Atlanta, many people look for:

• Social work or case management: Help with disability paperwork, workplace accommodations, and connecting to community resources
• Mental health services: Psychologists, counselors, or psychiatrists familiar with chronic illness
• Support groups: In-person or virtual MS support communities serving Metro Atlanta

Some neurology practices and hospital systems in Atlanta maintain lists of local therapists, support groups, and community organizations they trust for referrals.

Transportation and Accessibility in Atlanta for MS Care

For many Atlantans with MS, getting to appointments can be one of the biggest challenges. Some practical options include:

MARTA and Paratransit

• MARTA buses and rail can be helpful for reaching large hospitals and central clinics, especially around Downtown and Midtown.
• The MARTA Mobility paratransit service may be available if you have a qualifying disability. Riders typically need to go through an eligibility process and schedule rides in advance.

Accessible Parking

Most major clinics and hospitals in Atlanta provide:

• Accessible parking spaces near building entrances
• Drop-off zones near infusion centers and rehab clinics

When you schedule, you can ask:

• “Where is the closest accessible parking to your office?”
• “Is wheelchair assistance available from the entrance to your clinic or infusion area?”

Planning for Traffic

Atlanta traffic is well known, and this matters when you’re dealing with fatigue or mobility limits. Many people with MS in the area find it helpful to:

• Schedule appointments outside peak rush hours when possible
• Allow extra time for travel along major interstates
• Plan infusions or long appointments on days when they can rest before and after

What to Bring to an MS Appointment in Atlanta

To make the most of your visit—whether at a large medical center or a smaller neurology office—many Atlanta-area patients find it helpful to bring:

• Photo ID and insurance card
• A list of current medications and supplements
• Prior MRI reports and images, if available (on disc or digital access)
• Contact information for:
  • Your primary care provider
  • Previous neurologists or specialists
• A brief symptom history: when issues started, what makes them better or worse
• A support person, if possible, especially for longer visits or early diagnostic workups

📝 Tip: Atlanta clinics are used to patients transferring from other states or other Georgia cities. If you’re moving into Atlanta, ask your previous neurologist to send records ahead of time to reduce delays.

Community and Support Resources in the Atlanta Area

While medical care is central, many people with MS in Atlanta also look for community-based support. You may be able to find:

• Local MS support groups meeting in community centers, churches, or hospital education rooms
• Exercise and wellness programs adapted for mobility needs, such as gentle yoga or aquatic therapy classes
• Nonprofit organizations that provide:
  • Education about MS
  • Help with transportation to appointments
  • Assistance with equipment like mobility aids

When you see a neurologist or rehab team, you can ask:

• “Do you know of any MS support groups or community programs in the Atlanta area?”
• “Are there any local resources for help with transportation, home modifications, or adaptive equipment?”

When to Seek Urgent or Emergency MS-Related Care in Atlanta

While routine MS management happens in clinics, there are times when Atlantans are advised to seek immediate care. Examples can include:

• Sudden, severe vision loss
• New or dramatically worsening weakness on one side of the body
• Trouble speaking, walking, or maintaining balance that comes on quickly
• Loss of bladder or bowel control that appears abruptly

In these situations, people often go to the nearest emergency department attached to a hospital system that has neurology coverage. Large Atlanta hospitals typically have neurologists available or on call to evaluate serious neurologic symptoms.

If you’re unsure where to go, calling your neurologist’s office during business hours (or their after-hours answering service, if available) can help you understand when to go to the ER vs. schedule an urgent office visit.

How to Use This Information If You’re New to Atlanta

If you’ve recently moved to Atlanta with an existing MS diagnosis:

1. Gather your records from your previous neurologist: MRI reports, clinic notes, and medication history.
2. Call your new insurance (if it changed) and request a list of in-network neurologists in Atlanta or nearby suburbs.
3. Ask specifically if any of those practices advertise:
   • An MS clinic
   • A demyelinating disease or neuroimmunology specialist
4. Once you schedule, let the new office know:
   • You already have an MS diagnosis
   • Which medications you’re on and when your next infusion or dose is due

Many Atlanta clinics are familiar with coordinating infusion transfers, making sure treatment is not interrupted as you change cities.

Living with MS in Atlanta means navigating a large, busy metro area—but it also means access to specialized neurology care, imaging, infusion services, and rehabilitation spread across the city and suburbs. By understanding how MS care is typically organized here and knowing what questions to ask, you can find a provider or center that functions much like an “MS Center of Atlanta” and supports you over the long term.