Category: For Patients

To comply with state laws regarding controlled substance prescriptions, we require a narcotic risk evaluation prior to prescribing pain medication. Pain medication will not be prescribed during your first visit. Your provider will discuss this when developing your treatment plan with you. For every visit and every refill (including phone refills), we run a Michigan Automated Prescription Monitoring System (MAPS) report. MAPS reports are used to monitor the names of controlled substances dispensed, the date prescriptions are issued, if there are multiple opioid prescribers, or if there are inconsistencies between patients’ medical records. Our providers review these reports prior to prescribing any opioid medications.

Patients are also required to complete the “Start Talking Form”, or the informed consent form provided by the state. The purpose of this form is to educate patients about the risks associated with opioid use. You can expect to sign a new “Start Talking Form” anytime a new opioid medication is started.

Many insurance companies are putting new policies into place that limit the types and amounts of opioids that can be prescribed. Insurance also requires evidence that patients have attempted to wean from opioids and that they have tried other non-opioid methods of pain control.

SMPC is committed to decreasing patients’ reliance on opioids for pain control by utilizing a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach to chronic pain management. You will be asked at each visit what types of treatments you have tried or are using to manage your pain. Treatments include a home exercise program, physical therapy, chiropractic therapy, ice/heat, and over the counter or prescribed medications. A combination of all these treatments can be used to manage pain and can help decrease reliance on opioids.

Welcome to Southern Michigan Pain Consultants and thank you for choosing our practice for your health care needs.

For your first appointment, please arrive 30 minutes early. It is important you complete your questionnaire through our patient portal prior to your arrival.

You will receive a reminder call prior to your appointment. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm at one of the numbers listed below.

• Portage: (269) 329-2887
• Marshall: (269) 781-3561
• St. Joseph: (269) 429-3865

In order for us to address your needs at the time of your appointment we ask that you please:

1. Bring your License/ID and insurance card to each appointment. Please note that if no form of picture ID is brought to this appointment, you will need to be rescheduled.
2. A digital picture will also be taken at this initial appointment for your electronic medical chart.
3. Plan to update or verify your personal information at each appointment.
4. Please be aware your first appointment will consist of an evaluation of your pain to determine a plan of care for you. You will not receive an injection at your first appointment. If it is determined that a procedure will be performed at your next visit and light sedation is required, you will need to arrange for a driver to arrive with you for your appointment. Anticipate being at our office for your initial appointment for approximately two (2) hours.
5. Please remember that your appointment time is set aside specifically for you. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please provide us with a 24-hour notice.
6. Office Hours: SMPC & TCPC M-TH 8:00 am – 4:00 pm | F 8:00 am – 12:00 pm | GLPC M-TH 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

FINANCIAL POLICY

Our office participates with a variety of insurance plans, including, but not limited to:

• Medicare
• Priority Health
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Blue Care Network
• HAP
• Aetna
• Cofinity
• United Healthcare

If you have any questions regarding your insurance, we will try to help. However, questions relating to specific coverage issues must be directed to your insurance company’s member services department. Their telephone number should be listed on the back of your insurance card.

View Our Full List Of Accepted Insurance Plans

COPAYS / DEDUCTIBLES

All applicable co-payments, deductibles, co-insurance and personal balances, both current and prior, are due at the time of service unless other payment arrangements have been made. In some cases, you may be asked to pay the balance of your account or make payment arrangements prior to making your next appointment.

For your convenience, we accept cash, checks, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and money orders. You may also pay your bill online through our website (shown below). Please note that there is a $25.00 service charge for all returned checks.

We understand that there may be times and circumstances that come up where you are unable to pay your entire bill. In these situations, it is very important that you contact us so a financial representative can assist you in setting up a reasonable payment plan and to keep your account from being sent to a collection agency.

If you fail to meet the financial obligations agreed upon in this financial policy or have other payment arrangements made, your outstanding balance will be sent to a collection agency. You will be required to pay your entire account balance, with the collection agency (including any fees they add) before being scheduled for any further appointments.

Need to Request a Copy of Medical Records from SMPC?

To obtain records, submit a signed and dated Authorization for Use or Disclosure of Protected Health Information to the clinic.  The form may be obtained at the clinic, or you can download an online release form at the link below (preferred and fastest way):

Southern Michigan Pain Consultants Authorization For Release Of Medical Records Downloadable PDF

Your request is processed by MediCopy, our HIPAA Business Associate.

Some requests are processed at no charge to the requesting party (such as referrals for continuing care).  Other requests are charged a fee, in accordance with state statutes. MediCopy bills requesting entities such as attorneys, insurance companies, etc. directly; patients are not billed for this work.

MediCopy processes the requests for the requested records. Please allow 7 business days after your forms have been accepted by SMPC for processing and delivery of the invoice.

Need to Send a Copy of Medical Records TO SMPC?

New and returning patients often need to have certain medical records sent to SMPC to assist in their diagnosis and treatment.  If you need your current (or previous) provider to send your records to SMPC, a request form may be obtained at the clinic, or through this link:

Release of Info/HIPAA Form TO Southern Michigan Pain Consultants

Do you need help with where the info should be sent? Please check with SMPC clinic staff to obtain the mailing address for where your records should be mailed.

Southern Michigan Pain Consultants offers many resources for patients and their families to learn and understand more about chronic pain. The menu on the left includes additional information for patients, including information on different painful conditions and the part of the body affected by them as well as treatments and procedures offered.

To become a patient with our practice you may need a referral if your insurance requires one. You can call the office you would like to visit at one of the numbers listed below, or contact us using the form below and one of our schedulers will get in touch with you.

• Portage: (269) 329-2887
• Marshall: (269) 781-3561
• St. Joseph: (269) 429-3865

Request Appointment Online

If you prefer to submit a new patient appointment request online, please fill out the form below. When filling out the form, please select Scheduling as the Inquiry and include your name and your preference for contact, email or phone call. If you prefer a phone call please also include your phone number with area code and a good time to call. One of our schedulers will contact you back within two business days with more information.