If you have chronic pain that doesn’t seem to go away, it might be time to talk to a pain specialist to find solutions. General doctors can help with essential pain management (often through medications), but they don’t have the training or education to know the best practices to address the root cause.
Pain can take a toll on every area of your life. So instead of suffering through the pain, it makes sense to reach out to a pain management doctor for help. But how do you get started with this process?
In many situations, it makes sense to get a referral from your primary care physician before you go to a pain management specialist. But every situation is unique – so you might be able to visit the pain management doctor without a referral.
Here are a few things to consider when you are getting ready to visit a pain management doctor:
Why Is a Referral Necessary?
Most of the time, the referral is necessary because the insurance company requires it. The insurance provider wants you to meet with the primary care physician first. Then, if your pain or injuries exceed that doctor’s expertise, the PCP will refer you to talk with a pain management specialist.
Going through the process of getting a referral is an effective way to help you avoid any insurance discrepancies. As a result, you can maximize your insurance coverage and minimize your out-of-pocket expenses at the same time.
Of course, you’ll want to look at your insurance information to determine if it’s necessary to get a referral. These processes vary depending on the type of insurance you have: PPO vs. HMO. You’ll need to make sure the pain management clinic is “in-network” because the insurance payouts change for out-of-network providers.
What Does Being Referred to Pain Management Mean?
When you are referred to pain management, your condition surpasses the medical care your primary care physician can offer. Even though primary care physicians can prescribe pain medications, they don’t have the experience to provide full diagnostics or in-depth pain management treatments.
So, the doctor will put in an official referral that says you need to meet with a specialist. This referral from a PCP often gives you the open door with the insurance company so that you can see a specialist.
Another benefit of getting a referral is that your primary care physician might have a few recommendations, so you know which pain management clinics offer the services you need.
Why Do Doctors Refer You to Pain Management?
The referral usually happens because your pain is beyond the scope of medicine that a primary care physician is qualified to offer. While a generalist can be helpful for many minor issues, such as annual checkups or the common cold, this type of doctor doesn’t provide the full-service solutions you need for managing chronic pain.
Also, doctors recognize that referrals are often necessary for you to get access to available insurance payouts.
You Can Ask for a Referral
Don’t wait for your primary care physician to suggest a referral. If you are tired of living with chronic pain and aren’t finding solutions with your main doctor, then ask for a referral to see a specialist.
Most primary care physicians are willing to provide the referral, especially when they can see that the current treatments aren’t providing sufficient relief. However, if the doctor is hesitant to give a referral, let them know that the medication isn’t adequate and explain detailed information about your pain.
It’s a good idea to go through a detailed outline of the treatments that you’ve tried, showing that you haven’t been able to achieve the relief you need.
What Happens on First Visit to a Pain Management Doctor?
During the first appointment, the pain management specialist will want a complete health history and information about the treatments you’ve already tried. It’s essential that you share as much information as possible, giving the specialist a complete picture of your situation.
Bring these records to your first appointment if you’ve had recent imaging or x-rays. If you don’t have any recent imaging, then it’s likely that the pain management doctor will recommend these tests for an accurate diagnosis.
The goal during the initial appointment is to gather enough information to get an idea about the underlying cause of your pain. Then, once a diagnosis has been determined, the pain management specialist can offer recommendations for treatments going forward.
How to Tell If You Need a Pain Management Specialist
How do you know when it’s time to move from your primary care physician to services from a pain management specialist? Here are a few reasons why you should ask for a referral and seek different treatment options:
- Basic Care Isn’t Working: Even though you’ve been meeting with a primary care physician for a while, you aren’t finding relief from the available treatments. It’s necessary to see a specialist if you have chronic, constant pain.
- Holistic Approach for Pain Management: Specialists look at more than just the symptoms. A pain management doctor will assess whole-body factors to find a holistic approach to help you feel better. The goal is to identify and treat the chronic, underlying condition. Then a comprehensive treatment plan can be designed.
- Multiple Treatment Options: Visit a pain management clinic, and you’ll have access to a full range of treatment options. For example, it’s common for a patient’s treatment plan to include multiple modalities, including injections, radiofrequency, physical therapy, and more.
- Reduce Dependence on Pain Medications: There is a time and place when it makes sense to use pain medications. But you must be careful to avoid dependence or even addiction to these prescriptions. A pain management specialist can help to reduce your need for pain medication or even eliminate your need to pop a pill.
The benefits of pain management are undeniable. But, if you are tired of living with chronic pain, it’s time to talk to a specialist. Our goal is to help you find immediate relief, as well as long-term results that will last for years.
Schedule a Consultation with Kentuckiana Pain Specialists
When you are searching for local pain management support, it’s time to call our team at Kentuckiana Pain Specialists. Our comprehensive approach uses a variety of alternative treatments, with services available for people of all ages.
If you live in or near Louisville, Kentucky, schedule an appointment at our local clinic. For more information about these services, you can call our office any time. We can be reached at (502) 995-4004.