Dear Patients:

First Visit

     The initial assessment is one of the most important phases of your care. Please come a few minutes early to complete insurance information. Be sure to bring any old medical records or X-rays, and a referral from your family physician if your insurance so requires.
     During your evaluation you will meet your clinical specialist, have an initial assessment and have X-rays made if you do not have current films. A physician will then complete the evaluation and initiate treatment. Expect the process to take several hours.
Most spine problems improve with rest, gentle exercise, and over-the-counter analgesics such as aspirin, tylenol, or ibuprofen. Unfortunately, they frequently recur, often due to a sedentary lifestyle and poor lifestyle habits such as smoking, overeating, and lack of exercise. Hip disease can be accelerated by the same factors.

Diagnosis

     At Memphis Spine Center, each patient is provided a thorough evaluation in order to accurately diagnose their problem and assess risk factors. In simple acute injuries such as sprains or strains this may require only history and examination. In more complex and chronic conditions, a manual therapy assessment, X-rays, MRI, nerve conduction studies, and additional testing may be necessary in order to accurately pin down your diagnosis and determine the best way to proceed.

Treatment Options

     We will build an individualized treatment program based upon the nature of your problem, its duration, your age, risk factors and general physical condition. All treatments that have shown scientific merit are considered, based upon their risk and potential benefits. Supervised exercise, and education are virtually always recommended. Manual physical therapy is the cornerstone of a good conservative spine treatment program. and is often recommended. Treatment options may include:

* Medications
    *Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
    * Muscle relaxers
    *Analgesics

* Manual physical therapy
    * Mobilization Program
    * Stabilization Program
    * Post surgical rehabilitation program

* Hydrotherapy

* Education

* Home strengthening and flexibility exercise program

* Diagnostic or Therapeutic Injections

* Surgery

Payment

     At the Memphis Spine Center we accept most payment plans, however, as insurance does periodically change, we recommend that you call us if you have questions about network coverage. As a courtesy to our patients we do file insurance, and will not bill you directly for balance due until your insurance has processed your claim. Please remember however, that you are ultimately responsible for your bill, if your insurance does not pay. We expect your timely assistance in clearing any residual unpaid balances. If you have any questions regarding your statement, please do not hesitate to contact us for an explanation and clarification. In this day and age, healthcare insurance processing can be a bewildering process.

** We do not Participate in the Blue Cross Blue Shield "S" Plan. This plan closed its provider panel prior to our opening in December of 2004. Although Dr. Pratt was previously a provider under this plan, BCBS was not willing to reopen its panel to his new provider number under Memphis Spine Center. We apologize for any inconvenience this may create, however it is entirely out of our control.

**We do not participate in any Medicaid plans either as primary or secondary insurance. If you have questions about this policy please feel free to contact our office manager for clarification.

Medications

      We regret that we can only refill medication prescriptions if called in before 3PM during regular office hours. Please plan ahead, as after hours calls for pain medication will always be deferred to the next business day or to an emergency room. Analgesics are often prescribed for spinal conditions, however the risk of addiction can be significant. We strive to minimize their use except after acute injury or surgery and for no longer than 30 to 60 days.

 

                                                    Send mail to scooper@MemphisSpineCenter.com regarding all issues related to this website
                                                    Last modified: 04/04/06