Dr. Reeves Billing Policy

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What procedures are used for chronic pain in Dr. Reeves’ office?

• Prolotherapy: Injection to repair soft tissue (tendon/ligament, muscle, or cartilage).

• PSI (Perineural Subcutaneous Injection): Subcutaneous (under the skin) injection to restore function in pain-producing sensory nerves.

• PDI (Perineural Deep Injection): Deeper injection to restore function in pain- producing sensory nerves, often with use of fluid to stretch the nerve in areas of potential compression.

• Steroid injection: On occasion, steroid injection is utilized, but usually in small, very-targeted dosages and areas.

Are these procedures covered by insurance?

Only steroid injection is covered at this time. While research evidence for injection therapy is increasing rapidly, insurers and special interest groups are unfortunately providing strong resistance against insurance coverage. For more information on this topic, please see the DrReeves.com website for the latest research findings.

Do we bill these procedures to insurance?

We never bill prolotherapy to insurance since at this time it is a non-covered benefit. A few self-funded insurances are known exceptions. “Work comp” can be billed only if you are specifically referred for prolotherapy with reimbursement at the time of service (similar to x-rays or other pain procedures).

What about my flex plan?

If you have a flex plan or “cafeteria plan” through you employer you must still pay in full at the time of service for your treatment. We will then given you a statement or receipt that you can turn in for reimbursement.

What is the estimated cost of treatment?

Dr. Reeves uses ultrasound to guide injections quickly and to work around sensitive structures. This allows a lot to be accomplished in a short period with less discomfort. Due to the number of injections, charges are based on time involved rather than on the injections. The current charges are $400/hour for whatever therapeutic combination of prolotherapy/PSI/PDI is used. If steroid injections are given that are covered by insurance, that portion of the treatment will be billed to insurance.

What about co-pays and deductibles?

It is important to be aware that if an insurance is billed, co-pays, deductibles and coinsurances will be billed to the patient. If the deductible is quite high, you can elect to pay per hour for the treatment and not separate out the insurance-covered portion.

Although antinflammatory medications such as aspirin may interfere with treatment benefit, it may be important medically for you to not stop taking it. Be sure to check with our office about the reason why you take it so we can advise properly.

• Coumadin cannot be taken within 3 days of treatment if joint injection is planned, or 5 days if more extensive injection is planned. If you are on Coumadin, Lovenox, or Heparin be sure that you are aware of how long you need to be off  the medication before you receive treatment. Your general doctor should be aware that you are having a procedure done that will require you to be off of that medication. We will also want to know the results of a recent lab test showing how thin your blood is.

• If you are concerned about any other prescription drug you are taking, please call the office to see if it is okay to continue taking it the day of your appointment.

What To Expect:  Learn about our examination and treatment process
                             and the post-treatment instructions.
 

Medications:  Please take a moment to read the "Medications" section on this page.

What to Bring to Your Appointment:

• On your first visit, please bring your completed "Health History Questionnaire."  Also, bring your Patient Registration form, your Billing Consent form, and the Privacy Statement.  Each of these documents is available on our Patient Inquiries page.

• If you have had an MRI, x-ray, or other test you would like for Dr. Reeves to see, please bring only the written report. Dr. Reeves does not read films or slides, so those will not be helpful.