Resources
The information below is meant to be reviewed before your initial consultation and contains information that will help you properly prepare for your appointment, including: Details regarding payment and insurance, a list of materials you should bring to your exam, and more. We encourage all of our patients to review this information so they can arrive for their appointment well-informed and with any questions ready.
Thanks for taking the time to review this information, and we look forward to meeting you.
Billing & Insurance
View a list of insurance plans currently accepted by our Spine Institute. Our staff will be happy to print an estimate of your costs, but it’s important to realize that your plan maximums and other factors can alter the actual amount covered by insurance. Any balance not covered by your insurance will be your responsibility. For any balance not covered by insurance, we accept cash, check, and all major credit cards.
When you come in for a consultation appointment, your doctor will help determine the best treatment plan for your condition. Once your treatment plan is set, we can form an estimate of your out-of-pocket costs. If you have any questions about your financial options at our practice, feel free to contact our office. One of our staff members will be happy to assist you.
Please call our office to speak with a member of our team regarding billing or financial concerns.
Patient Resources
At MarinHealth Spine Institute, we want you to have all the facts. We understand that well-educated patients who understand their conditions get the best outcomes. Not only can they better care for their problem areas, but they also have better preventive health practices and avoid additional injury. If you are looking for more information about your condition, please review the resources below.
- American Chronic Pain Association: 5-Minute Chronic Pain Relaxation Exercise
- American Chronic Pain Association: Understanding Chronic Pain
- UC Davis Opioid Patient Education: Understanding Opioid Risks, Responsibilities, and Benefits
To get in touch with our team and learn more about how we can help improve your quality of life, please contact our practice now.
Privacy Policy
Prior to your appointment, please carefully review MarinHealth Spine Institute's Privacy Policy. This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed, and how you can get access to this information.
Your First Visit
Upon your first visit to our practice, our doctors will meet with you to examine your condition and review your health history. If you need any X-rays or scans, we will take these at your initial consultation as well. Once we have examined every aspect of your condition, our doctors can develop an appropriate treatment plan designed to fit your individual needs. Your first visit is essential to your treatment because it gives our doctors a chance to get to know you and your expectations for treatment. It’s also a great opportunity for you to get any questions answered so that you feel comfortable and prepared. Our staff is happy to help you schedule your appointment, and we look forward to treating you.
Before arriving at our office for your appointment, we suggest reviewing the list below to make sure you have all the materials you need for your visit. Please bring the following items with you to our office:
- Valid photo ID
- Referral slip from your physician (if applicable)
- Any previous X-rays or MRIs taken
- List of medications you currently take
- Insurance information for billing purposes
We strive to keep wait times to a minimum for our patients, which is why we ask that you arrive a few minutes early to your appointment. These extra few minutes will give you time to fill out any necessary paperwork without holding up your appointment. If you have any more questions before your first appointment, or if you need help obtaining any of the materials listed above, we will be able to answer your questions. Please feel free to contact our office anytime to speak with a staff member.
Anesthesia at MarinHealth Spine Institute
At MarinHealth Spine Institute, we work closely with the anesthesiologists at the surgery center or hospital. When you visit our office, we will examine your condition and discuss your preferences for sedation. Based on the extent of your surgery and your individual needs, we will determine which type of anesthesia is best for your treatment.
Our surgical team undergoes regular training to be able to assist with anesthesia during treatment. In addition, our office is fitted with all the latest technology to help us safely monitor patients under sedation. Your safety and comfort are our highest priorities.
Types of Anesthesia for Spine Surgery
Once we have discussed your preferences, reviewed your health history,
and determined the appropriate treatment, we will decide on your anesthesia.
You will likely experience one of the following sedation methods:
- Local anesthesia is extremely common in a wide range of orthopedic and even other healthcare treatments. A local anesthetic will simply numb the area where the procedure is performed so you can remain conscious without experiencing discomfort.
- Regional anesthesia is generally used to relax muscles and prevent pain in a larger area of your body. Examples of a regional anesthetic include a spinal block or an epidural shot.
- General anesthesia is typically recommended for patients who are undergoing a more extensive procedure. General anesthesia allows the patient to remain completely unconscious until the procedure has ended.
Our highest priority is ensuring that you are safe and comfortable during your visits to our office. We will discuss all of your options for anesthesia before determining the form that best fits your needs. We will also provide you with instructions regarding your pre- and post-operative care, which will outline steps you need to take depending on your anesthetic. We encourage you to contact our office if you have any remaining questions.
Pre and Post-Operative Care Instructions
The way you care for yourself before and after treatment is often almost as important as the treatment itself. Our doctors have years of training and experience treating a myriad of conditions and sports injuries, but properly caring for yourself after we perform your treatment is key to a quick recovery and successful results. The steps you take prior to your appointment and during post-operative care can be a determining factor of whether you're back to your normal routine in a week or two or several months.
Our doctors always work hard to provide the best possible care, and we want to make sure that you experience optimal results as well. We provide all of our patients with post-operative instructions, which contain detailed guidelines for how to take care of yourself after treatment. Your instructions will be specific to your treatment and will be designed to best address your post-operative needs. We suggest reviewing these instructions before your treatment so you can come prepared with any questions you may have.
The following pre-operative and post-operative instructions have been made available, online: