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Home > MA Providers > Neurologists

Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD

(104 Ratings)

Specializes in: Neurology (Brain & Spinal Cord Disease)

Harvard Medical School

Professional interests include: stroke, cerebrovascular disease, spinal cord problems, and more.

52 Second Avenue Suite 3100
Waltham, MA 02451

(617) 726-8459

Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD is a neurologist in Boston, MA specializing in neurology (brain & spinal cord disease). He graduated from Harvard Medical School. Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital and MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL PHYSICIANS ORGANIZATION INC.

Office Locations

Address:

15 Parkman Street Wac 835 Neurology Associates
Boston, MA 02114

Address:

52 Second Avenue Suite 3100
Waltham, MA 02451

Address:

55 Fruit Street 7th Floor, Suite 720
Boston, MA 02114

Some issues Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD can help you with:

Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is ruptured or blocked. The brain cannot function without a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, so when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, even for a brief moment, brain cells begin to die. When a sufficient number of brain cells die, the brain itself can no longer function, meaning that strokes are very dangerous. Strokes can result in impaired movement, speech, cognitive ability, the impairment of important physical functions, and even death.

Anyone can have a stroke, regardless of age and health. Strokes are known to happen at random. However, certain conditions and behaviors can increase one's risk of stroke over time.

Risk factors for stroke include:

Heart disease
Older age
Smoking
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol and lipids

There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs more commonly and is when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. Blockages are caused by blood clots and built-up plaque (deposits of fat and cholesterol), which leads to atherosclerosis, a condition where the blood vessels narrow and harden. The resultant restricted blood flow may lead to an ischemic stroke by blocking essential oxygen to the brain, causing the heart to exert more effort to pump blood.

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or around the brain ruptures. The burst vessel leaks blood into surrounding brain tissue, causing irreparable brain damage.

Hemorrhagic strokes are less common and may occur from head injuries, brain aneurysms, brain tumors, and bleeding disorders, amongst other conditions.

Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes require immediate medical treatment. Medical intervention can prevent severe and life-threatening brain damage. Signs of stroke include:

-Disorientation or confusion

-Difficulty speaking

-Difficulty walking

-Impaired vision

-Weakness in the face, legs, or arms

-Severe headaches

When someone suspected of having a stroke reaches the hospital, the patient will usually receive a CT or other scan that provides an image of the brain. The scan results can reveal clotted or leaking blood in the brain. Physical exams, neurological exams, and blood tests may also be used to check for blood clotting and sugar. Treatment begins generally immediately if a stroke is detected.

Medical treatment for ischemic strokes includes a thrombolytic medicine which breaks up and disperses blood clots. This medicine can greatly improve stroke recovery and long-term health. However, the thrombolytic medicine must be administered as soon as possible to achieve these results. Other treatments for ischemic strokes are blood thinners and thrombectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot in the brain. Thrombectomy is performed by inserting a catheter (thin needle) into the artery to reach the blood clot and mechanically remove it. With the clot removed, normal blood flow to the brain resumes. Thrombectomy is typically performed at most six hours after a patient shows signs of a stroke.

Hemorrhagic strokes are treated with blood-saving medication and surgery. For a hemorrhagic stroke caused by the rupture of an aneurysm (blood vessel bulges), surgery to stem the bleeding aneurysm and vessel may be used. One surgical technique is stent-assisted coiling, which adds a stent (small wire-meshed tube) into the blood vessel to block the leaking opening of the aneurysm. A non-surgical procedure is endovascular coiling, where a catheter (thin, hollow needle) places a platinum wire coil at the spot of the aneurysm. The coil blocks bleeding and prevents the aneurysm from continuing to leak blood. These procedures are usually combined with blood-thickening medications. Blood transfusions may be administered if substantial blood loss has occurred.

Since stroke patients may have lost some essential functions while the blood flow to their brains was obstructed, both ischemic stroke and hemorrhage stroke patients may receive post-stroke rehabilitation to rebuild their physical and mental abilities. Some restorative treatments include occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Patients may also receive care from neurologists, who can assist patients in recovering certain brain functions and cognitive abilities, and rehabilitation psychologists, who may help patients with their emotional, behavioral, and cognitive recovery. Some stroke patients require lengthy rehabilitation and may never fully regain function, while others may recover more quickly. While the fastest recovery improvements are usually seen in the first three or four months, stroke rehabilitation can last for years.

If someone begins to show signs of stroke, contact emergency services and call 9-1-1 immediately since blood flow must be restored as soon as possible to help avoid significant brain damage. If an ambulance takes the person to the hospital, paramedics can initiate stroke treatment as soon as the patient enters the ambulance, allowing for more prompt medical intervention and care.

In The News

“The team includes Steven Cramer, M.D., Seth Finklestein, M.D., Teresa Kimberley, Ph.D., P.T., Daniel Laskowitz, M.D, MHS, David Lin, M.D., and Gary Steinberg, M.D. "We have assembled several of the...”—"Elevian Adds Stroke Clinical Advisory Team", Odessa American, February 2021

“"There's only one way that recovery can happen: The brain reorganizes itself," said neurologist Dr. Seth Finklestein of the Harvard Medical School.”—"STROKE REHAB GOAL: REWIRING THE BRAIN", Chicago Tribune, July 1998

doctor visit	277
hospital care	122
inpatient care	122

**Gender**
Male	163
Female	141

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	258
Black	15
Hispanic	17
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	102
From 75 to 84	113
85 and over	49
Less than 65	40

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	66
Stroke	65
Ischemic Heart Disease	52
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	38
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	31
Heart Failure	41
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	31
Dementia	19
Cancer	17

doctor visit	309
hospital care	49
inpatient care	49

**Gender**
Male	148
Female	114

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	231
Black	12
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	90
From 75 to 84	94
85 and over	45
Less than 65	33

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	69
Stroke	69
Ischemic Heart Disease	54
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	38
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	30
Heart Failure	37
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	33
Dementia	20
Cancer	14

doctor visit	343
hospital care	120
inpatient care	120

**Gender**
Male	368
Female	332

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	618
Black	30
Hispanic	26
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	228
From 75 to 84	228
85 and over	126
Less than 65	118

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	67
Ischemic Heart Disease	55
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	44
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	30
Heart Failure	37
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	31
Dementia	21
Cancer	12

doctor visit	420
emergency care	14
hospital care	61
inpatient care	61

**Gender**
Male	164
Female	171

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	300
Black	12
Hispanic	12
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	123
From 75 to 84	106
85 and over	58
Less than 65	48

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	72
Ischemic Heart Disease	50
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	38
Asthma	20
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	24
Heart Failure	28
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	30
Dementia	25
Cancer	14

doctor visit	412
hospital care	124
inpatient care	124

**Gender**
Male	176
Female	217

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	341
Black	16
Hispanic	21
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	154
From 75 to 84	134
85 and over	53
Less than 65	52

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	64
Stroke	70
Ischemic Heart Disease	55
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	45
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	28
Heart Failure	32
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	35
Dementia	25
Cancer	15

doctor visit	435
hospital care	138
inpatient care	138

**Gender**
Male	170
Female	190

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	309
Black	15
Hispanic	17
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	132
From 75 to 84	135
85 and over	46
Less than 65	47

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	71
Ischemic Heart Disease	51
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	25
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	35
Dementia	23
Cancer	17

doctor visit	378
hospital care	129
inpatient care	129

**Gender**
Male	197
Female	187

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	324
Black	18
Hispanic	22
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	151
From 75 to 84	138
85 and over	46
Less than 65	49

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	70
Stroke	69
Ischemic Heart Disease	52
Depression	38
Chronic Kidney Disease	45
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	23
Heart Failure	30
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	34
Dementia	26
Cancer	16

doctor visit	186
hospital care	19
inpatient care	19

**Gender**
Male	121
Female	127

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	214
Black	0
Hispanic	12
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	100
From 75 to 84	97
85 and over	28
Less than 65	23

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	63
Stroke	72
Ischemic Heart Disease	44
Depression	39
Chronic Kidney Disease	38
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	23
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	31
Dementia	19
Cancer	16

doctor visit	493

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD treated as a neurologist in Boston, MA were hospital care, inpatient care and emergency care.

doctor visit	362
emergency care	14
hospital care	95
inpatient care	95

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD.

**Gender**
Male	150
Female	147

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	11
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	259
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	12
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	104
85 and over	45
Less than 65	41
65 to 74	108

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD treated were hypertension, stroke, high cholesterol and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	54
Stroke	55
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	32
Asthma	8
Osteoporosis	9
Heart Failure	25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	26
Atrial Fibrillation	21
Cancer	12
Dementia	17

Education & Training

Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD graduated from Harvard Medical School. He is certified by the Neurology, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and has a state license in Massachusetts.

Medical School: Harvard Medical School

Board Certification: Neurology, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Licensed In: Massachusetts

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Massachusetts General Hospital

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL PHYSICIANS ORGANIZATION INC

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, MultiPlan, United Healthcare, Tufts Health Plan, Aetna, TRICARE, Medicare, Medicaid, Humana, Railroad Medicare, Coventry, Cigna, Blue California, Beech Street, WellPoint, Medicare ACO, WellSense, Senior Whole Health, Fallon Health, Commonwealth Care Alliance, Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare, Maine Community Health Options, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, MassHealth and WellSense NH.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

MultiPlan

United Healthcare

Tufts Health Plan

Aetna

TRICARE

Medicare

Medicaid

Humana

Railroad Medicare

Coventry

Cigna

Blue California

Beech Street

WellPoint

Medicare ACO

WellSense

Senior Whole Health

Fallon Health

Commonwealth Care Alliance

Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare

Maine Community Health Options

Mass General Brigham Health Plan

MassHealth

WellSense NH

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Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.93 out of 5 stars based on 104 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Boston, MA.

4.93

Overall Rating

(104 Ratings)

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Acorda Therapeutics, Inc	$24,002 AMPYRA $20,712	$3,289
Alkermes, Inc.	$1,250 $1,250

**Types of Payments**
Consulting Fee	$17,370
Travel and Lodging	$6,084
Food and Beverage	$1,797

Biography

Dr. Seth Finklestein practices neurology (brain & spinal cord disease) in Boston, MA and Waltham, MA. Dr. Finklestein has indicated that his clinical interests include stroke, stroke prevention, and spinal cord problems. He is professionally affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital. Before performing his residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Dr. Finklestein attended Harvard Medical School. He appears to be an in-network provider for Blue California, Coventry, and Viant, in addition to other insurance carriers.

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Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD

Office Locations

Some issues Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD can help you with:

In The News

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD in 2013

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD in 2014

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD in 2015

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD in 2016

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD in 2017

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD in 2018

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD in 2019

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD in 2020

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Seth Paul Finklestein, MD From 2013 - 2021

Education & Training

Affiliations & Hospitals

Insurance Information

Ratings & Reviews

General Payments

Biography

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Other Providers in Boston, MA