How to Get the Best Doctors for Your Pain Clinic
In a country with a shortage of primary care physicians, it can be very tempting to go with a specialist.
But in reality, you’ll have to choose the right one.
Here’s how to get the best pain specialists in your state, and get in on the action before it’s too late.
1.
Find a local pain clinic.
Finding a pain clinic in your area is usually easier than you think.
When you do, it’s usually best to ask your doctor about what you need and how to pay.
Some pain clinics also offer private insurance.
2.
Find the right doctor for your pain.
In many cases, a local doctor has experience treating your primary care patients and can help you narrow down your choices.
For example, a doctor who treats acute and chronic pain can often prescribe painkillers or prescribe medications for people with high blood pressure, which can reduce the need for costly tests.
Some doctors are also comfortable treating chronic pain, or people who have severe conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
3.
Learn about the insurance plan.
While many people think they can only pay for the doctor or the doctor’s office, many insurers cover the entire cost of treating your pain with copayments or deductibles.
It’s also important to ask about what kind of copayment or deductible your doctor is willing to offer.
If you’re a chronic pain patient, a copay may be the right option, especially if you have to go to the doctor more than once a week.
If your doctor will charge a copays, you should also be aware of the deductible they’re willing to accept.
4.
Choose your pain treatment plan.
Most pain clinics offer both primary care and specialty pain care.
Some of them offer both.
You should choose the pain treatment you’ll be able to pay for with the most coverage.
Most providers also offer multiple insurance plans.
Some have high deductibles and copay options, which make it easier to choose a plan that suits you.
For a general overview of pain care, check out our list of pain treatment options.
5.
Get your prescriptions filled.
A pain clinic is likely to provide you with a lot of prescription medicine and will need to fill them.
This can be difficult to get through a doctor’s offices or online, so you’ll want to talk to a local pharmacist.
Many pain clinics provide this information on their website, and many also provide a toll-free number for prescription requests.
If the pain you need isn’t covered by your insurance, you can still find local doctors who can help with prescriptions.
Some providers may also have online pharmacy apps, which are usually free and offer a variety of medicines.
This is a great way to get your prescription filled in your town, and it may be easier to get it in a few days.
6.
Take a look at your doctor’s billing records.
When your pain is a chronic or urgent condition, your doctor may have a separate bill for the medication you need.
If so, you might need to pay that bill yourself.
Some local pain clinics will also offer a separate payment plan for the cost of prescription medication.
You may need to do this if you’re uninsured or overburdened with bills, so ask your physician about that option.
7.
Get referrals.
The best way to find a local doctors is to get referrals.
This means you can talk to them at their offices or other local pharmacies and get their recommendations.
Some clinics have online referral tools, which you can use to find local pain doctors who may have more experience treating chronic or severe pain.
If a pain specialist isn’t available, there’s also the option of calling your doctor to ask them about other specialists in the area.
8.
Make sure your pain medication is right for you.
Some medications are often prescribed for chronic or acute pain.
You might want to ask the doctor if it’s safe to take your medication for the first time.
If it’s not safe, it may hurt your pain and make you feel worse.
Sometimes, pain medication may be prescribed in combination with other medications, or they can be mixed together in one medication.
When to Call a Pain Doctor
In a country with a shortage of primary care physicians, it can be very tempting to go with a specialist.But…
