There is no one who understands how migraine disease impacts a person's daily life more than someone living with migraine. Our aim with the patient surveys is to hear the patient's voice and then apply the survey information into action steps. Note, our newest survey on Migraine Progression has now closed, and you can read the summary report below!
Summary Reports for Patient Surveys
Patient Experience with Migraine Progression
This survey was conducted to better understand the patient experience with migraine progressing. 580 people with migraine answered questions about whether their migraine attacks had become worse over time, if their symptoms had changed, and whether their treatments still work as well as they used to. The responses to this migraine are being utilized to inform our educational resources, including a 2026 project that specifically looks at migraine progression.
Migraine Patient Experience with Doctors
This survey was conducted to better understand the healthcare provider experience for people with migraine. The results indicate that overall, patients are satisfied with the level of care they are receiving from their chosen providers. However, the percentage of satisfaction increases with more specialized practitioners. For example, 59% of those seeing a PCP for migraine care report they are satisified with the overall quality of care they are receiving. This number increases to 70% for those seeing general neurologists, and 89% for those seeing certified headache specialists. This may mean that while the quality of care some are receiving is satisfactory, it could be better. This trend is also true for the quality of the relationship patients have with their respective providers, with one exception being that those who see PCPs for migraine care find it easier to get in touch with their provider with questions/concerns.
Migraine Patient Experience with Doctors
This survey was conducted to better understand the healthcare provider experience for people with migraine. The results indicate that overall, patients are satisfied with the level of care they are receiving from their chosen providers. However, the percentage of satisfaction increases with more specialized practitioners. For example, 59% of those seeing a PCP for migraine care report they are satisified with the overall quality of care they are receiving. This number increases to 70% for those seeing general neurologists, and 89% for those seeing certified headache specialists. This may mean that while the quality of care some are receiving is satisfactory, it could be better. This trend is also true for the quality of the relationship patients have with their respective providers, with one exception being that those who see PCPs for migraine care find it easier to get in touch with their provider with questions/concerns.
Prior Authorizations and Non-Medical Switching for Migraine
This survey was conducted to better understand the experience people with migraine have with insurance delays and denials due to prior authorizations and non-medical switching. 64% of respondents reported experiencing prior authorization requirements, and 33% experienced both prior authorization and non-medical switching. One respondent stated, “[Delays in treatment access impacted my] ability to feel like I could keep going, to feel like I mattered, and to mentally and physically be able to function even on a small scale.” Click to read more from our summary report.
NOTE: This survey was a partnership between Migraine Meanderings and The Headache & Migraine Policy Forum.
Step Therapy for Migraine
Often, medical providers prescribe medications that are denied by insurance companies. Prior to covering the new medication, the insurance company requires that you try the preferred list of medications. In most cases, these medications are less expensive or have been on the market for a longer period of time. This is called Step Therapy. We conducted this survey to better understand how Step Therapy has impacted migraine treatment and patient quality of lives. One respondent shared, "Step therapy, imposed by the insurance company, is a conflict of interest and an interruption of the relationship
between the doctor and patient who know better what the patient needs." Click to read more from the summary report.
NOTE: This survey was a partnership between Migraine Meanderings and The Headache & Migraine Policy Forum.
Medical Devices for Migraine
This survey was conducted to better understand if and how people with migraine and other headache disorders are using medical devices, and what the primary challenges faced are. 326 respondents were gathered through social media and email.
About 46% of respondents have tried to get a medical device covered by their insurance, although most insurance companies do not provide coverage for these devices. One respondent shared, “My daughter and I would love to try a medical device for migraine but they are cost-prohibitive.” Click to read more from the summary report.
NOTE: This survey was a partnership between Migraine Meanderings and The Headache & Migraine Policy Forum.
Migraine in the ER and Urgent Care
This online survey was conducted to better understand the experience people with migraine have in the emergency room and urgent care. 500 responses were gathered via social media and email.
88% of respondents went to the ER or an urgent care facility due to lack of access to a healthcare professional who could treat their migraine. One respondent shared, “The treatment for migraine in ER/UC is complicated by our overstressed medical system and the fact that there are some who seek inappropriate treatment without adequate follow up.”
NOTE: This survey was a partnership between Migraine Meanderings and The Headache & Migraine Policy Forum.
Combination Therapy for Migraine
This survey was conducted to better understand the experience people with migraine have with combination therapy for migraine. 516 responses were gathered via social media and email.
On average, 60% of respondents report having 15 migraine days or more a month. One respondent stated, “Having to meet specific criteria in order to access certain types of drugs scripted by my team of professionals is frustrating. They recommend a specific treatment and I can't follow it until I jump through insurance hoops. Insurance companies should not be able to dictate medical steps in my journey to treat my chronic illness. My team of dedicated professionals and I should have a much bigger say in the steps I take.” Click to read more from our summary report.
NOTE: This survey was a partnership between Migraine Meanderings and The Headache & Migraine Policy Forum.
