Do I need a referral?
We
ask for a referral from your family physician for your safety.
We want to be sure that you aren’t
suffering from a condition that requires emergency treatment. Back
pain, for instance, can be a symptom of a heart attack or kidney
problem.
In addition, we confirm with your physician that
we are the appropriate medical resource for the kinds of pain
from which you are suffering.
NOTE: You do not need a referral
for acupuncture.
Will my insurance cover your service?
When you call for an appointment, we will ask for your insurance
information and tell you whether your plan is one with which
we participate. As a courtesy, we file all insurances
for covered services, but you will be responsible for following
up with the carrier and for any unpaid charges.
If you have questions about your insurance coverage,
please ask your insurance company. For questions about
specific billing issues, please call the office.
Currently, we participate with the following insurers:
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Acordia – PEIA only
- Community Health: INFORMED, George’s Chicken (CoreSource),
Merillat (Wausau)
- Medicaid – Virginia only (we do not currently participate
with any Medicaid Managed Care Plans)
- Mutual of Omaha
- Tricare
- Worker’s Compensation – Virginia only
Please note that participation with insurers
can vary. For confirmation of current coverages, please
ask the office when you call for an appointment.
What treatments do you offer?
We offer a range of interventional
and non-interventional treatments to pinpoint
the source of your pain.
These treatments range from injections to nerve
stimulation to acupuncture
and Chinese herbal medicine.
How much experience do your doctors have?
Our physicians hold multiple board certifications and
have advanced training. For detailed information about
the physicians and the other medical personnel at Advanced
Pain Relief Centers, see Medical
Team.
In brief:
Dr. George Van Osten is
board certified in Pain Management and Anesthesiology and
has a special interest in interventional measures to treat
spinal pain.
Dr.
Alok Gopal is board certified in Pain Management, Anesthesiology,
and Medical Acupuncture and has a special interest in combining
alternative modalities such as medical acupuncture and Chinese
herbal medicine for pain management.
What should I expect after
the treatment?
After your treatment, you may be able to return to work immediately
and resume all activities, or you may be asked to curtail your
usual activities briefly, depending on the treatment chosen
by your physician.
How long will the effects from my treatment last?
This differs from patient to patient and depends on the kind
of treatment you receive. Many patients find that an
injection relieves their pain for as long as several weeks
to several months. There are some patients who require
only one injection. Don’t hesitate to ask your
physician any specific questions. |
