FAQ
Q: What types of treatment do you offer?
A: Your condition will be reviewed and various suggestions for treatment will be discussed. Options may include: diagnostic and/or therapeutic nerve blocks; radiofrequency nerve ablation; medication management; spinal cord stimulator or intrathecal pump implant; or referral for surgery, physical therapy, diagnostic imaging, or psychological counseling.
Q: I think I need to see a pain management physician. How do I choose one?
A: Pain Management Associates has nine full-time, board certified physicians, all of whom are uniquely trained and experienced in the diagnosis and management of pain problems. Choosing the right physician for you will depend on the type of insurance coverage you have, your desired clinic location, and other personal criteria you find important. Feel free to call our scheduling office for more information about our physicians, or to schedule an introductory evaluation. You are not obligated to any treatment without your consent.
Q: How long does it take to get an appointment?
A: Generally, patients can be seen within one week, and sometimes sooner. We will work to accommodate your needs as quickly as possible.
Q: Do I need to bring anything with me or send anything to you before my appointment?
A: Please bring your PCP's Referral Form (if required), your insurance card, all X-Rays or MRI reports and a complete list of current medications. *If you take a blood thinning medication, special protocols are required prioring to receiving an injection. Please seek recommendation from your primary physician or our office prior to appointment. Wear loose, comfortable clothes and bring a driver with you if you will be having a treatment, such as an epidural nerve block.
Q: Do I need a referral from my family physician to schedule an appointment?
A: Unless your insurance requires a referral (such as a HMO or Workers Compensation), you may self-refer to our practice. Please be aware that it is your responsibility to verify your insurance benefits for pain management services. We will do our best to obtain authorization for treatment, if required. However, financial responsibility for any non-covered services is the patient's obligation.
Q: I was injured on the job and have Workers Compensation insurance. May I schedule my own appointment?
A: If your services will be covered by Workers Compensation insurance, an approval is needed from your Nurse Case Manager. He/She will need to provide our scheduling department with the name of the insurance carrier, case manager's name and phone number. If your services are denied, you will need to make self-pay arrangements, or provide us with your private insurance plan information.
Q: How much does treatment cost?
A: We are happy to provide an estimate of the cost of typical services. However, the cost of your treatment can only be determined when the services are rendered by the physician. Contact our Customer Service Department (816) 767-3292 if you have financial concerns or need information about payment plans and costs.
Q: How much time does treatment require?
A: An initial consultation typically requires from 30 to sixty minutes depending on the complexity and history of your pain. An epidural nerve block appointment may last for 45 minutes to an hour, including recovery time without complications. Most follow-up appointments for medication management or post-procedure follow-up require only 15 minutes to one-half hour.
Q: Should I bring someone with me to the appointment?
A: It is a good idea to have someone else drive you to your appointment, especially if you are in pain and plan to have treatment on your first visit. Your care may require nerve block injections, which may cause numbness in your legs, or in the rare case of any complications you will not be able to drive immediately after treatment. You will need to stay approximately half an hour to recover after you have been treated.
Additionally, please do not bring small children with you to appointments that require an injection or procedure.
Q: If surgery is recommended, will it be done at the clinic?
A: Surgical implants for intrathecal infusion pumps and spinal cord stimulator devices are performed at a few of Pain Management Associates hospital clinics, including St. Luke's East, St. Luke's South, North Kansas City Hospital, Menorah Medical Center and Heartland Spine and Specialty Hospital.
Upon evaluation and referral, other recommended surgical procedures may be performed elsewhere at the discretion of your surgeon or neurosurgeon.
Q: What is the next step to arranging a consultation or treatment?
A: Call the Pain Management Associates Central Scheduling office at (816) 763-1559 or 1-800-200-PAIN. Your referring physician may download a referral form from our website www.kcpain.com and fax it to us at (816) 965-8404.
