Your First Spine Surgeon Office Visit
We request that all new patients pre-register prior to their first visit by completing the Spine Questionnaire and other forms. Don't forget to bring all diagnostic studies images to your appointment. This can be hard films or electronic medium such as CD.
What should I bring to each office visit?
How long will it take for test and treatments ordered by the doctor to be scheduled?
After my tests are completed, what do I do about the results?
What should I expect after surgery?
Will the spine surgeon provide narcotic medication?
If I am receiving any medication from the physician, how do I obtain a refill?
How do I reach the physician if I have questions or a problem?
What is minimally invasive spine surgery?
What should I bring to each office visit?
It is important that the physician have all diagnostic studies (X-rays, CT, Myelograms, MRI), to review. A report from the radiologist only is not sufficient, and the diagnostic radiology departments will provide you a copy of the actual films or the originals for you to bring to your office visit. They should not refuse you a copy of your records.
Other things to bring:
- Your insurance card
- List of all medications
- Information regarding all significant past medical history
- A co-pay may be required for your visit
- Bring all recent DICOM images, on disk, to all appointments.
- An updated authorization from your primary care physician (PCP) is required at each visit. Some authorizations will span a number of office visits. Without this, your office visit may be prolonged awaiting authorization.
How long will it take for test and treatments ordered by the doctor to be scheduled?
It may take two weeks due to multiple check points. We work very hard to schedule your test and treatments in a timely manner. Most insurance companies will require a doctors report from our office prior to authorization which could take 2-3 days to become available. All other delays are related to the insurance company authorization process and the testing or treatment facility.
After my tests are completed, what do I do about the results?
After the diagnostic studies are completed, you must request a copy or the originals to bring to your follow-up office visit. Allowing the radiology department to mail or courier your studies to the office will usually result in the studies not arriving in time for your appointment, or not arriving at all. Due to the complex nature of spinal disorders, the physician will only explain the results of the diagnostic and laboratory studies during your follow-up office visit. It is not possible to effectively explain the diagnostic study results or treatment options by telephone.
Will the spine surgeon provide narcotic medication?
Because the spine surgeon does not specialize in pain management, narcotic medication should be obtained from your primary care physician. The exception to this is if you will be scheduled for surgery or your surgery was performed within the last 3 months.
If I am receiving any medication from the physician, how do I obtain a refill?
Please call your pharmacy and ask that a refill request be forwarded to the office. All refills request should be made 2 days in advance of you running out of medication. Waiting until the last minute may result in many days without medication. No narcotic medication prescriptions will be mailed. IMPORTANT: No medication refills will be granted on the weekend or after hours due to inability of the physician to obtain medical records.
How do I reach the physician if I have questions or a problem?
Dr. Pitt be available to return calls every Monday and Friday for those patients who wish to speak with him directly. Otherwise, his medical assistant will be available to answer any of your questions during regular office hours. The SDT staff will also check voice mail and e-mail, and messages and they will be returned within 2 business days. IMPORTANT: We often return calls from the hospital and other locations where caller ID is blocked. You must accept calls from blocked numbers if you want any member of the office staff to reach you!
What is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
Minimally Invasive Technology is a broad-scope description of what we can accomplish for the patient in a less invasive technique or a less invasive way. Download the PDF to see our article on Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery