Haven Headache & Migraine Center expands to Washington through Bellevue Headache Clinic

Haven Headache & Migraine Center has expanded into Washington for the first time by joining Bellevue Headache Clinic, giving patients in the state access to its specialist-led, virtual-first headache care model. The move adds Dr. Shirin Issa as Haven’s medical lead for Washington and aims to reduce long waits for migraine and headache specialty appointments.

Why it matters: - Washington patients with migraine and other headache disorders now have a new specialty-care option that is designed to start sooner than traditional referral pathways. - Haven’s model could help address a national access gap, where fewer than 5% of health systems have headache specialists on staff and patients may wait six to twelve months for an appointment. - The expansion gives Bellevue Headache Clinic patients access to virtual follow-up tools, symptom tracking and nursing support without changing their core relationship with Dr. Shirin Issa.

What happened: - Bellevue Headache Clinic joined Haven Headache & Migraine Center, bringing Haven’s specialist-led, virtual-first care model to Washington for the first time. - As of Oct. 1, patients can receive care through Haven with Dr. Shirin Issa, a UCNS board-certified headache specialist who has practiced in the Seattle area since 2018. - Dr. Issa joined Haven’s clinical team as Medical Lead for Washington. - Dr. Issa will continue caring for existing patients while gaining support from Haven’s broader clinical team.

The details: - Haven is adding its virtual visit platform, daily headache diary, symptom tracking, specialized nursing support and ongoing check-ins to Dr. Issa’s practice. - Patients will be able to track changes in headache patterns and adjust treatment between appointments. - Dr. Issa treats migraine, cluster headache, hemicrania continua and new daily persistent headache. - Her practice includes care for hormonally driven and menstrual migraine, plus headache management during pregnancy and breastfeeding. - Dr. Issa completed her headache fellowship at Montefiore Headache Center, where she also taught headache fellows. - Her treatment approach includes vitamins and minerals, medications, Botox and nerve blocks. - Haven’s virtual-first model uses a daily text-based diary to track symptoms, medications and potential triggers. - Haven also helps patients navigate insurance requirements. - Washington patients will initially receive care virtually. - Haven is working toward in-person injection appointments in Washington, including nerve blocks and Botox, with a target opening around the end of 2026 or beginning of 2027. - Bellevue Headache Clinic patients will continue to see Dr. Issa. - Haven will continue to accept the practice’s current insurance plans, including Regence, Aetna, Cigna, First Choice Health Network and Premera Blue Cross. - Haven is also working to expand in-network coverage in Washington to include United Health, Pacific Source Health Plan, Kaiser, Government Employees Health Association, Inc. and others.

Between the lines: - The move is Haven’s first expansion outside California, signaling a push to scale its care model beyond its home state. - Dr. Nada Hindiyeh, Haven’s chief medical officer, said Dr. Issa was a strong fit because her care is comprehensive, compassionate and centered on the individual patient. - The expansion reflects a broader strategy to reduce wait times by using virtual monitoring and ongoing support between visits, not just occasional specialist appointments.

What's next: - Haven plans to add in-person injection services in Washington, likely by late 2026 or early 2027. - Haven is also pursuing broader insurance acceptance in the state. - The company’s wider goal is to make specialized headache care easier to access for patients who may otherwise spend months searching for a specialist.

The bottom line: - Haven is betting that a virtual-first specialist model can bring faster, more continuous headache care to Washington while setting up its first step beyond California.