Oliver O. Tannous, MD| Spine Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery | MedStar Health
About me
Oliver Tannous, MD, is an orthopaedic spine surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. As a spine specialist, he utilizes state-of-the-art, minimally invasive and motion preservation techniques to treat conditions of the bones, discs, and nerves of the neck and back.
His clinical focus includes disorders of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, ranging from isolated disc herniation to complex deformities and failed surgeries. His research interests include optimizing patient outcomes after surgery and improving techniques for eliminating postoperative spinal infections.
Dr. Tannous completed his undergraduate studies in neuroscience and behavioral biology at Emory University. He then received his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where he completed a residency in orthopaedic surgery. Prior to joining MedStar Health, he completed a fellowship in spine surgery at the University of California San Diego, a leading center for minimally invasive and complex spine surgery. His early interests in mechanics and how things are built, coupled with a degree in neuroscience, fueled his decision to become an orthopaedic spine specialist.
Dr. Tannous takes a conservative approach to spine care. He emphasizes the use of non-operative treatments before considering surgery. When surgery becomes necessary, he utilizes minimally invasive techniques in order to reduce the impact of surgery. He has extensive experience in revision spine procedures as well as correcting previously failed spine surgeries.
Philosophy of Care
"Becoming involved in the care of someone's health is a privilege. I treat all of my patients in the same way that I would treat my family members - with compassion and respect. When nonoperative methods fail and surgery becomes necessary, I spend a lot of time with my patients, ensuring that they fully understand the surgical process. I follow them very closely while they are in the hospital, and guide them throughout the recovery process so they can get back to a healthier life as soon as possible. I feel proud when my patients tell me that they would recommend me to their family members for care."
Patient Story:
Clinical areas of focus
- Cervical Myelopathy Surgery
- Lumbar Disc Disease
- Lumbar Radiculopathy
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Robotic Assisted Spine Surgery
- Scoliosis
- Spinal Disc Replacement
- Spinal Fusion
- Spinal Reconstruction Surgery
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spondylosis
- Thigh Fracture
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abnormal Mri
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Artificial Disc Replacement
- Benign Neoplasm Of Bone And Articular Cartilage
- Bone Density Disorder
- Bursopathy
- Cauda Equina Syndrome
- Cervical Fracture
- Cervical Herniated Disc
- Cervicothoracic Junction Disorders
- Chest Injury
- Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
- Congenital Malformations Of Heart
- Congenital Malformations Of Musculoskeletal System
- Congenital Malformations Of Nervous System
- Congenital Malformations Of Spinal Cord
- Congenital Malformations Of Spine And Bony Thorax
- Congenital Musculoskeletal Deformities
- Epidural Hematoma
- Failed Back Syndrome
- Fractures Of The Neck
- Hand And Wrist Fracture
- Herniated Disc In Lower Back
- Herniated Disc In Neck
- Herniated Nucleus Pulposus
- Intervertebral Disc Disorders
- Intraspinal Granuloma
- Kyphosis
- Limb Deformity
- Lower Leg And Ankle Fracture
- Lumbar Disc Disease
- Lumbar Myelopathy
- Lumbar Radiculopathy
- Lumbar Spine Fracture
- Lumbar Spondylosis
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Meninges
- Malignant Neoplasm Of Spinal Cord
- Mononeuropathy Of Lower Limb
- Musculoskeletal System Complications
- Neck Nerve And Spinal Cord Injury
- Neck Sprain
- Neoplasm Of Uncertain Behavior
- Nerve Root Disorders
- Nervous And Musculoskeletal Symptoms
- Nervous System Disorders
- Paralytic Syndrome
- Rib And Sternum Fracture
- Sacral Spine Fracture
- Scoliosis
- Shoulder Burns
- Skull Base Tumor
- Skull Fractures
- Spinal Cord Compression
- Spinal Cord Diseases
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Spinal Curvature
- Spinal Cyst
- Spinal Disc Herniation
- Spinal Infection
- Spinal Osteochondrosis
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spine Deformity
- Spine Osteoporosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spondylolysis
- Spondylopathies
- Spondylosis
- Spondylosis Of The Cervical Spine
- Thigh Fracture
- Thoracic Spine Instability
- Thumb Synovitis
- Vertebral Compression Fracture
- Vertebral Fractures
Procedures I perform
- Cervical Corpectomy
- Cervical Facet Joint Denervation
- Cervical Laminectomy
- Cervical Myelopathy Surgery
- Cervical Vertebra Reposition
- Discectomy
- Endoscopic Spinal Procedures
- Endoscopic Spine Surgery
- Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion
- Fibula Osteotomy
- Flap Surgery
- Kyphoplasty
- Laminectomy
- Lumbar Laminectomy And Fusion
- Median Nerve Decompression
- Microdiscectomy
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Ostectomy
- Osteotomy
- Pedicle Screw Fixation
- Percutaneous Discectomy
- Percutaneous Kyphoplasty
- Robotic Assisted Spine Surgery
- Scoliosis Deformity Correction
- Spinal Cord Tumor Treatment
- Spinal Disc Replacement
- Spinal Fusion
- Spinal Infection Treatment
- Spinal Instability Treatment
- Spinal Reconstruction Surgery
- Spinal Spondylolysis Treatment
- Spondylolysis Treatment
- Thoracic Spine Surgery
- Vertebral Compression Fracture Treatment
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.
-
List of insurance plans we accept
- Blue Choice Advantage
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- HighMark
- CIGNA PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- CareFirst Administrators
- Network OA
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- OA Plus
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- IH-Open POS II
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- First Health PPO
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- CIGNA EPO
- IH-EPO Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Sentara Health
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- CareFirst NASCO
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Medicare Direct
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- CareFirst NASCO
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- BlueChoice Open Access
- IH-POS
- HealthyBlue PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- IH-Open HMO
- Choice Fund PPO
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- United Student Resources
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Choice POS
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- IH-Open POS Plus
- IH-POS Plus
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Core Essential (HMO)
- IH-Indemnity
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- CareFirst EPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Beech Street PPO
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Aetna Basic
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Choice Fund PPO
- Choice POS II
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna HMO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- POS OA
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Aetna Classic 5000
- IH-Open POS II
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- CIGNA EPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- IH-Open HMO
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- TRICARE for Life East
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- HighMark
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- IH-PPO
- Employee Health Plan
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- CareFirst Administrators
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Blue Choice Advantage
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- IH-Indemnity
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Sentara Health
- Navigate
- United Healthcare Choice
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Choice POS II
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- IH-EPO Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Optimum Choice
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- IH-PPO
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- TRICARE East Select
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Aetna VA Exchange
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Aetna Basic
- IH-POS Plus
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Core Essential (HMO)
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- IH-HMO
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Medicare Direct
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- TRICARE East Prime
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Choice POS II Open Access
- United Healthcare Choice
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Medicare FFS
- Optimum Choice
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- First Health PPO
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- CIGNA PPO
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst EPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- IH-POS
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Choice POS
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Employee Health Plan
- IH-Network Only Plus
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Beech Street PPO
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Network OA
- First Health PPO
- UHC Passport
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- UHC Passport
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Aetna HMO
- United Student Resources
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery
Residency: University of Maryland Medical Center (2015)
Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine (2010)
Awards
- Washingtonian Top Doc 2025
Hospital affiliations
News and publications
- Cervical Disc Replacement: A Life Changer for Detective
- Neck Surgery Patient Praises New Procedure
- Podcast - Neck and Back Pain Basics: What You Need to Know
- Case Study - Alternative to Cervical Fusion: 2-Level Cervical Disc Replacement for Cervical Radiculopathy
- Blog - Keep moving to avoid and relieve back pain
- Blog - Neck surgery with shorter recovery, better range of motion
- Blog - Why does back pain persist after surgery?