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K. Dean Reeves, M.D. Clinical Associate Professor Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Emphasis on Research in Use of Prolotherapy (Also called Regenerative Injection Therapy) ReevesOffice @ gmail.com Office Email DeanReevesMD @ gmail.com Personal email
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Does insurance cover the treatment? Insurance does not cover growth stimulation injection (prolotherapy) at this time. We expect no change in this for several years until prolotherapy becomes standard practice. For now, insurance is not billed for prolotherapy because of inevitable denials. The only exceptions are work comp or auto insurance cases, only if the case manager agrees in advance, in writing, to allow trial treatment for your condition. The good news is that insurance covers the evaluation itself. Also, Dr. Reeves has a pain treatment approach that may include blocks that are covered by insurance and allow for a reduction in the amount of non-covered treatment cost. However, there is still a non-covered portion and that amount can only be determined or estimated after examination. If you come in for an appointment we can bill your insurance for those portions (evaluation or blocks) that are typically covered. Any prolotherapy that is done that day or in the future will not be covered and must be paid out of pocket at that time.
Can you estimate cost of prolotherapy? The cost of prolotherapy differs from person to person. It depends on what areas you will have treated. A typical cost for this kind of treatment is $350.00 an hour. The cost range per treatment is from $75.00- $1050.00 Please note that the largest value is for extremely complex cases in which sedation and injection take more than 2 hours. We know that this is a big range to consider, but unfortunately we cannot "quote prices" to patients until they are seen and we know what Dr. Reeves will be treating and the time frame for sedation and treatment. Nerve blocks (different than epidural steroid injections) are often performed which are covered by some insurances and the evaluation is covered by insurance. As a result of these two factors, the prolotherapy cost is often able to be substantially reduced, but again this cannot be stated with any certainty without thorough history and examination. We bill insurance for evaluation and nerve blocks, but not for prolotherapy. We will, however, provide you with documentation to turn into your flex plan, cafeteria plan, etc.. for reimbursement. Treatments are paid at time of service, with no exceptions. Please take this into consideration before contacting our office for an appointment. Treatments are usually every 6 -8 weeks, and treatment costs are per treatment, not a one time fee.
Is the prolotherapy all I have to pay for? If you come in for an appointment and we bill your insurance for the evaluation or nerve block that is done with your treatment, then you will be responsible for the prolotherapy cost plus anything your insurance says is your responsibility to pay. Whether that is deductible, co-pay, or any other portion your insurance determines to be your responsibility.
What about my flex plan? If you have a flex plan or cafeteria plan through your employer you must still pay in full at the time of service for your treatment. We will then give you a statement, or receipt you can turn in for reimbursement.
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To contact us: General questions --> reevesoffice@gmail.com
Billing related questions --> reevesbilling@gmail.com
Research related questions --> DeanReevesMD@gmail.com
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