New Patient Appointment 1. What do I need to bring to my first new patient appointment? a. It is very important for all patients currently on a pain medicine regimen to bring in all current pain medications in their original bottles. We also ask that you bring your driver’s license, insurance card, co-payment and any medical records that have not already been faxed.

2. How soon can a new patient be seen? a. New Patient appointments vary due to location, provider availability, and the patient’s schedule. Because this is a pain management practice, we make every effort to see the patient as soon as possible, appointments can be scheduled as soon as 24 to 48 hours after the initial call.

3. Will I receive a prescription for medications on my new patient appointment? a. The Pain Center of Arizona must perform appropriate and required diligence to investigate each patient’s claim regarding their medication prescriptions. This process will require confirmation of the medication regimen with the original prescriber of the medication. Documentation regarding the data of the most recent prescriptions(s) with the number prescribed and any refills noted will be reviewed. Issues of previous noncompliance with narcotics or medications prescribed will need to be reviewed. A written note from the patient’s prescribing practitioner or PCP requesting The Pain Center of Arizona to assume care of the narcotic regimen will be required. This process may require up to two weeks depending on the ease of access to the information. The Pain Center of Arizona WILL NOT prescribe a narcotic regimen until the appropriate investigation is complete.

4. Can I be seen at any of your five valley wide locations? a. Yes, unless you are requesting a specific Provider.

Office Visits 1. How long is a regular office visit? a. A follow-up office visit at The Pain Center of Arizona lasts about 15 minutes, but please allow time for check-in and prescription refill.

2. Can I see a Dr. for my office visit instead of a P.A.? a. Your treatment plan and care will be overseen by one of our Physicians and will be implemented at each visit by one of our clinical staff members, including our valued Physician Assistants. If at any time during your treatment plan you would like your visit to be scheduled with a TPC Physician, please feel free to ask and we will do what we can within the schedule to accommodate your request.

3. How often do I have to have an office visit? a. Normally monthly, but it depends on your specific treatment plan.

Procedures 1. How long will my procedure take? a. Most procedures take anywhere from 15-30 minutes. Some of our more intricate interventional procedures may take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Each patient procedure, along with risks, benefits and alternatives, is discussed prior to each procedure.

2. Can I eat or drink before my procedure? a. When receiving sedation, you should not eat (4hours) prior to the procedure. You may have clear liquids up to (2 hours) prior to your procedure. Any questions regarding this policy should be addressed with our clinical team prior to arriving for your procedure.

3. Should I continue taking my medications as usual? a. For the most part, yes. The only exception would be blood thinners. If you are on blood thinners, please discuss this with the Pain Physician, as these will likely need to be stopped for a period of time before your procedure.

4. Can I see a Dr. other than my regular Dr., just to get in for an injection? a. For appropriate continuation of care, we prefer that all injections be performed by your Pain Physician of record. If your regular Physician is unavailable on a regular scheduled return visit, we will make every effort to accommodate you with another physician if necessary.

5. Do I need a driver present when I am having a procedure done? a. For all procedures performed with sedation, a driver IS mandatory. For procedures without sedation, it is always helpful to have a driver available should you need one, however, it is not mandatory.

6. What is the expected recovery time of a procedure? a. Most of our patients are given a 15 – 30 minute recovery period in our supervised recovery room immediately following each procedure. Most patients can return to work the same day as the procedure is performed. Certain interventional procedures that are more aggressive may require a short recovery period with rest at home prior to returning to normal activities.

7. How long will it take to get my procedure authorized? a. 7 – 10 business days, depending on your insurance

8. Are there any side effects? a. Potential side effects to most procedures are minimal, and specific details will be reviewed with you by your Physician prior to any procedure.

9. Who will be performing my procedure? a. All Physicians at The Pain Center of Arizona are fellowship trained specialists and are able to perform all of the interventional procedures offered here.

10. Why do I have to wait to get my procedure authorized? a. Most insurance requires medical dictation which demonstrates and supports the medical necessity of an intervention procedures performed at The Pain Center of Arizona. The waiting period for authorization typically includes time for The Pain Center Provider to dictate the medical necessity for the procedure and the receipt and review of documentation by your insurance carrier prior to approval.

Prescriptions 1. Can my prescription be refilled without an office visit? a. As a general rule, medications, and specifically narcotic medications, are not refilled with out and office visit at The Pain Center, unless otherwise discussed and agreed upon with your provider.

2. Can my family member pick up my prescriptions? a. Yes, as long as they are listed on the HIPAA form you fill out with your patient paperwork. If you have not listed someone whom you want to grant permissions, please see the front desk next time you are in for an appointment and they will be happy to assist you in filling out any needed information.

3. Can my prescription be filled early if I run out? a. No

4. Can I call in my prescription on the weekend for a refill? a. No

Billing/Insurance 1. Can I be billed for my co-payment? a. No, co-payment is due at the time of service. All deductibles and additional co-pays will be further billed after your insurance assessment.

2. What insurances do you accept? a. A list of insurances can be found on our website, but if you have any questions please contact our Billing Office at (623)691-8500.

3. Will I be billed by you or my insurance for any procedures or office visits? a. You will be billed by The Pain Center of Arizona, P.C.

b. Urinary drug screens and sedation services are services that are provided by contracted companies we work with. These services will be billed separately from The Pain Center of Arizona, P.C.

Referrals (MRI, Physical Therapy, etc.) 1. How can I be seen by the Behavioral Pain Specialist, Dr. Peper? a. Referrals for Dr. Peper and the Wellness Program are done internally through your Pain Center Pain Consultant. Please speak with your Pain Consultant at your next appointment.

2. How do I get my MRI results? a. Due to the medical nature of diagnostic studies, your MRI results will be discussed with you at the first follow-up appointment after your MRI is completed.

3. Can my appointment be scheduled before you have my referral? a. No, unless your insurance company does not require a referral.

4. How can I get an appointment for physical therapy? a. Your Provider needs to order a PT evaluation through the Referral department, and then the Referral department will get authorization for the referral and send it to a contracted facility.

Generally Asked Questions 1. Can I be late to an appointment? a. It is required that you check in 15 minutes prior to a regular office visit or a procedure being performed without sedation. If you are having a procedure with sedation, we ask that you arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. We ask that you come in prior to your scheduled time so that the appropriate administrative and clinical paperwork can be completed and ready for your procedure as well as any pre-procedural tasks that need to be completed. Failure to arrive at the requested time may result in cancellation of you appointment.

2. What is the Wellness Program? a. Our Wellness Program treatment professionals are dedicated to helping patient minimize and overcome the cognitive, emotional, and neurochemical barriers created by pain. We will assist you in developing coping strategies that are personally meaningful, and help change the way you respond to and manage your pain.

3. Does each of your clinics have a different phone number? a. No, we run our phone services and triage services through our main switchboard where each call can be directed appropriately. Please call our main number at (623) 516-8252

4. What are your office hours? a. 7:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday

5. Do your clinics offer wheel chair assistance? a. Yes