FAQs on Pain Management
Clinical Center FAQs
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes! We will always accept new patients and look forward to exceeding your expectations with our comprehensive pain management care.
Do you accept referrals?
Yes, we love referrals — from other healthcare providers as well as from happy, satisfied patients. In fact, a referral is the highest compliment there is for our practice. We welcome your referrals and will always strive to accommodate the needs of your friends and family.
Do you offer weekend or evening appointments?
Yes! We are aware that some of our patients are not available during standard business hours and we strive to accommodate by offering early morning, evening and Saturday appointments.
What are your hours?
Hours vary by provider and location. So, if you need an early or late appointment, be sure to let us know and we will do our best to work around your schedule. Generally speaking, we see patients Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and some Saturdays. Please refer to our home page for site locations and phone numbers to schedule an appointment.
Do you have different office locations?
Yes! For your convenience, we have three Indiana locations: Crown Point, Dyer, and Valparaiso and multiple locations in Illinois: Evergreen Park, St. Charles, Swedish Covenant Hospital, Thorek Hospital, Tinley Park, Weiss Memorial Hospital, and Westchester.
How long does it take to get in for an evaluation?
We take your pain very seriously and strive to see new patients within 24-48 hours. If you are in severe pain, please tell the receptionist when you call and we will do our best to schedule you on either the same day or within 24-48 hours. To schedule an appointment in Indiana, please call (219) 488-0154.To schedule an appointment in Illinois, please call (708) 483-7007.
What types of treatment do you offer?
We provide a comprehensive evaluation of your pain and determine the best possible treatment for you. This might include pain injections, medications, therapy, alternative services, supplements or lifestyle modifications. A treatment plan will be provided based on your individual needs on the day of your evaluation.
Q: Are you accepting new patients?
A: Yes! We will always accept new patients and look forward to exceeding your expectations with our comprehensive pain management care.
Q: Do you accept referrals?
A: Yes, we love referrals — from other healthcare providers as well as from happy, satisfied patients. In fact, a referral is the highest compliment there is for our practice. We welcome your referrals and will always strive to accommodate the needs of your friends and family.
Q: Do you offer weekend or evening appointments?
A: Yes! We are aware that some of our patients are not available during standard business hours and we strive to accommodate by offering early morning, evening and Saturday appointments.
Q: What are your hours?
A: Hours vary by provider and location. So, if you need an early or late appointment, be sure to let us know and we will do our best to work around your schedule. Generally speaking, we see patients Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and some Saturdays. Please refer to our home page for site locations and phone numbers to schedule an appointment.
Q: Do you have different office locations?
A: Yes! For your convenience, we have three Indiana locations: Crown Point, Dyer, and Valparaiso and multiple locations in Illinois: Evergreen Park, St. Charles, Swedish Covenant Hospital, Thorek Hospital, Tinley Park, Weiss Memorial Hospital, and Westchester.
Q: How long does it take to get in for an evaluation?
A: We take your pain very seriously and strive to see new patients within 24-48 hours. If you are in severe pain, please tell the receptionist when you call and we will do our best to schedule you on either the same day or within 24-48 hours. To schedule an appointment in Indiana, please call (219) 488-0154.To schedule an appointment in Illinois, please call (708) 483-7007.
Q: What types of treatment do you offer?
A: We provide a comprehensive evaluation of your pain and determine the best possible treatment for you. This might include pain injections, medications, therapy, alternative services, supplements or lifestyle modifications. A treatment plan will be provided based on your individual needs on the day of your evaluation.
APAC Surgical Center II FAQs
What should I expect after I have scheduled my procedure with the surgery center?
The surgery center staff will call you 24 hours prior to your scheduled procedure. At this time they will inform you of your specified arrival time and any pre-op instructions. In general, you should expect to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to your procedure time. After arriving to the center you will be checked in by the front office staff and then shortly thereafter taken to the holding room by our nursing staff. Following your procedure you will return to the same holding area. The nursing staff will, at this time, give you the discharge instructions.
What should I wear to the surgery center?
You should wear something comfortable the day of your procedure. You will change from your clothes into a hospital gown, booties and cap for your procedure.
Will I receive sedation during the procedure?
Most procedures in our facilities do not require sedation. The usual practice is for the physician to use a local anesthetic to numb the area prior to the procedure. In the event that sedation is recommended by the physician, a driver must accompany the patient to the surgery center on the day of the procedure. Any patient receiving sedation is not permitted to drive for a minimum of 12 hours following the procedure.
Can I eat or drink anything the day of the procedure?
In most cases, if you are not receiving sedation, there would be no restrictions on your diet. If you receive sedation, then you must not eat anything for 6 hours prior to the procedure, and nothing to drink for three hours prior to the procedure. This will be discussed during the pre-op phone call the day before your scheduled procedure.
Can I take my regular medications on the day of the procedure?
You may take your regular medications the day of the procedure with a small sip of water, even if you are receiving sedation. It is imperative to let us know during the pre-op phone call if you are on any medications that thin your blood (i.e., aspirin, Plavix, Coumadin, etc.). These medications need to be stopped prior to the procedure. We will work with your prescribing doctor who will give the clearance and instructions for stopping these medications.
Will the discharge instructions limit my activity?
No. In general, you will be able to continue your regular activities the same day of your procedure, without any restrictions.
Will a follow-up appointment be necessary?
Yes. The timing and scheduling of this appointment will be discussed during your discharge. If you have been referred to our facility, your follow-up appointment might be with the referring physician. Otherwise, you will be scheduled to see a member of our team of trained professionals.
Q: What should I expect after I have scheduled my procedure with the surgery center?
A: The surgery center staff will call you 24 hours prior to your scheduled procedure. At this time they will inform you of your specified arrival time and any pre-op instructions. In general, you should expect to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to your procedure time. After arriving to the center you will be checked in by the front office staff and then shortly thereafter taken to the holding room by our nursing staff. Following your procedure you will return to the same holding area. The nursing staff will, at this time, give you the discharge instructions.
Q: What should I wear to the surgery center?
A: You should wear something comfortable the day of your procedure. You will change from your clothes into a hospital gown, booties and cap for your procedure.
Q: Will I receive sedation during the procedure?
A: Most procedures in our facilities do not require sedation. The usual practice is for the physician to use a local anesthetic to numb the area prior to the procedure. In the event that sedation is recommended by the physician, a driver must accompany the patient to the surgery center on the day of the procedure. Any patient receiving sedation is not permitted to drive for a minimum of 12 hours following the procedure.
Q: Can I eat or drink anything the day of the procedure?
A: In most cases, if you are not receiving sedation, there would be no restrictions on your diet. If you receive sedation, then you must not eat anything for 6 hours prior to the procedure, and nothing to drink for three hours prior to the procedure. This will be discussed during the pre-op phone call the day before your scheduled procedure.
Q: Can I take my regular medications on the day of the procedure?
A: You may take your regular medications the day of the procedure with a small sip of water, even if you are receiving sedation. It is imperative to let us know during the pre-op phone call if you are on any medications that thin your blood (i.e., aspirin, Plavix, Coumadin, etc.). These medications need to be stopped prior to the procedure. We will work with your prescribing doctor who will give the clearance and instructions for stopping these medications.
Q: Will the discharge instructions limit my activity?
A: No. In general, you will be able to continue your regular activities the same day of your procedure, without any restrictions.
Q: Will a follow-up appointment be necessary?
A: Yes. The timing and scheduling of this appointment will be discussed during your discharge. If you have been referred to our facility, your follow-up appointment might be with the referring physician. Otherwise, you will be scheduled to see a member of our team of trained professionals.
Billing/Insurance FAQs
Why am I receiving a bill?
Most often, outstanding balances are a result of a patient’s deductible and/or co-insurance that have not yet been met.
What is meant by co-insurance?
This is the patient’s portion of their healthcare costs as determined by the insurance provider. The co-insurance is usually represented as a percentage such as, 80/20, 70/30, 90/10, etc. This means if the co-insurance is listed as 80/20, then 80% of the bill will be covered leaving only 20% as the patient’s responsibility.
Has my insurance been verified prior to my procedure being performed?
Yes. The surgery center works with the physician’s office to pre-certify the procedure through your insurance company. If there are concerns with the insurance coverage, we will notify you prior to the procedure.
Does the billing department accept credit cards?
Yes. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted. This form of payment may be submitted by mail with the billing statement, or the billing company can be contacted directly @ 219-864-3208.
Are you contracted with insurance companies?
APAC Centers for Pain Management is contracted with various insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid.
Why did I receive multiple bills for surgical procedures?
If you have received interventional services at the APAC Surgical Center II, you will receive one bill for those services and a separate bill for the professional services. Due to system implementation changes, anesthesia services may have been billed separately to you depending on your date of service.
Q: Why am I receiving a bill?
A: Most often, outstanding balances are a result of a patient’s deductible and/or co-insurance that have not yet been met.
Q: What is meant by co-insurance?
A: This is the patient’s portion of their healthcare costs as determined by the insurance provider. The co-insurance is usually represented as a percentage such as, 80/20, 70/30, 90/10, etc. This means if the co-insurance is listed as 80/20, then 80% of the bill will be covered leaving only 20% as the patient’s responsibility.
Q: Has my insurance been verified prior to my procedure being performed?
A: Yes. The surgery center works with the physician’s office to pre-certify the procedure through your insurance company. If there are concerns with the insurance coverage, we will notify you prior to the procedure.
Q: Does the billing department accept credit cards?
A: Yes. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted. This form of payment may be submitted by mail with the billing statement, or the billing company can be contacted directly @ 219-864-3208.
Q: Are you contracted with insurance companies?
A: APAC Centers for Pain Management is contracted with various insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid.
Q: Why did I receive multiple bills for surgical procedures?
A: If you have received interventional services at the APAC Surgical Center II, you will receive one bill for those services and a separate bill for the professional services. Due to system implementation changes, anesthesia services may have been billed separately to you depending on your date of service.
