Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions which are not answered below, please contact our office directly.
General
What are your hours?
Boulder 8:00am to 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
Steamboat Springs 8:00am to 5:00pm, Thurs & Frid
Wheat Ridge 8:00am to 5:00pm, Tues & Thurs
How do I get In contact with someone in an emergency?
Please call 911 or go to your emergency room.
Are you physical therapists?
We are Physiatrists - board-certified physicians who specialize in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. We do prescribe physical therapy when needed.
What is a physiatrist?
Physiatrists are physicians who specialize in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Physiatrists complete four years of medical school, a one year internship and three years of a specialty residency. Rehabilitation physicians are experts in diagnosing neurological and musculoskeletal issues. We focus on treating without surgery those conditions and illnesses that affect how you move, from age related problems to elite athletes. Our goals are to reduce pain, restore and maximize function and performance - without surgery of possible.
What kinds of pain and injuries do you treat?
Neck, back, body, muscle, and joint pain
Numbness, weakness and radiating sciatica
Prescriptions
What do if you need a prescription refill?
Contact your pharmacy for all medications, except narcotic pain medications. The pharmacy will notify us and we will call you when your prescription is available. It typically takes 24-48 hours to refill a prescription, and we do not refill prescriptions on Fridays or the weekends.
Medical Records
How can I be sure of total patient confidentiality?
We take patient confidentiality very seriously. All of our employees are required to sign a patient confidentiality agreement regarding the care of your personal medical information. We have a form that you sign at your first visit that states how we are allowed to disclose, or give out, your protected health information.
How can I get my medical records?
Submit a request for medical records by calling us at 303-494-7773 x102 or email at contact@spinewest.com. A document must be signed before we can release medical records to you based on the HIPAA guidelines. Typical turnaround time is less than 24 hours.
If you are requesting your medical records on behalf of an attorney we ask that you please have your attorney fax a formal request to us at 303-494-1104 or mail us a request.
Can I walk in and get copies of my medical records?
We would prefer that you make a request ahead simply because it allows us to gather and print them for you. In most cases, we can have them ready for you the following day.
MRI
What kinds of MRIs can you do at Spine West?
Spine (Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacral)
Ankle
Foot
Knee
Lower leg/shin
Shoulder
Wrist
Please note that we do not perform hip, chest, abdomen or brain MRI’s.
I'm claustrophobic, is your open-sided MRI great for me?
Our open-sided MRI is a great alternative for those who suffer from claustrophobia. However, there may be instances where even our open-sided MRI is not tolerated. For a picture of our MRI machine click here.
We do our very best to make you feel comfortable.
Are there size/weight restrictions for your MRI?
For spine imaging, our open-sided MRI allows for more room than a standard MRI. If you weigh more than 275 lbs or have a waist measurement greater than 46 cm (measured at the belly button) you may not be able to get an MRI at Spine West.
For MRI of all joints - shoulders, knees, elbows, wrists and ankles - sizing is much less of an issue.
Note: We do not do HIP MRI’s unless you are very thin.
Please call us if you feel you may not be a candidate for our MRI.
How does an MRI cost?
Our self-pay rate is
$395 for an MRI without contrast (most common)
$520 for an MRI with contrast
Payment must be made at the time of service.
We accept most insurances:
Depending on your health plan and deductible rules, you may want to self-pay for your MRI. Please contact your insurance company for your expected cost for the MRI.
If you intend to use your insurance benefits, a pre-authorization may be required (which may take up to 2 weeks).
If you self-pay, no pre-authorization is required and you can be scheduled sooner.
NOTE: If you do not want us to bill your insurance:
You cannot submit the claim to your insurance for benefits later.
Please contact our billing office at 303-494-7773 x111.
Insurance & Billing
Who do I call about my bill?
Contact our billing office at 303-494-7773 x 111 or by email at billing@spinewest.com.
Can I walk in and pay my bill?
Yes. You can also pay your bill over the phone with a credit card.
If you ask us to send the bill to your insurance, we charge $1.00 in good faith to your credit card as a down payment. Once your insurance carrier calculates how they will cover, we will charge the balance to your credit card unless you request an alternative payment method.
What health insurances do you accept?
We try our best to determine if your care at Spine West is covered. However, insurance plans and their covered medical services are constantly changing. We may or may not be “in network” for your specific plan and it is ultimately your responsibility to determine if your care at Spine West will be covered by your insurance.
Always check with your insurance carrier (online or via phone) if you plan to get care at Spine West.
We accept most governmental and commercial health insurance plans and will bill them directly for you.
For additional questions and coverage information please visit our Insurance webpage.
Will you bill my insurance?
Yes. However, we may not be considered a “preferred provider” on your particular plan, which means your insurance may not pay the full amount. Be sure to contact your insurance company (the number should be on the back of your card) to inquire about your specific benefits.
Why do you verify insurance coverage at every visit?
We verify your coverage at every visit because it helps to eliminate billing problems later on. Your insurance company - and your allowed healthcare benefits - may change. We know a lot about insurances and try to verify insurance coverage with your best interest in mind. Ultimately, you are responsible for the bill if there were to be a problem with your insurance. Take home message: Know your insurance coverage!
Do I need a referral from another physician?
This depends on your health insurance plan. Most HMOs and EPOs do require a referral, whereas most PPO’s do not. We urge you to check with your insurance company if you are not sure. It is the responsibility of the patient to follow their insurance guidelines regarding referrals if his or her insurance requires it.
Do you take liens?
We do not accept liens.
Appointments
How do I schedule an appointment?
Please call 303-494-7773 Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm.
How do I cancel my appointment?
Please call 303-494-7773 Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Please notify Spine West no later than 12 noon the business day prior to your appointment to change or cancel your appointment. Last minute or unnotified cancellations may be assessed a $100.00 cancellation fee as it affects others who seek care at Spine West.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Prior to your appointment
Login to our Patient Portal
Complete the medical history form
Get a copy of your current insurance card
Get DVD copies of any diagnostic images (X-rays, MRI’s or CT scans)
Print Lab results
Do I need to bring my diagnostic images to my first appointment?
Yes. It is always best for you to bring copies of your diagnostic images (X-rays, MRI’s, CT) and lab results for all your appointments. It helps our providers tremendously and saves everyone’s time.
On occasion, we are unable to connect online to the radiology centers to review your imaging.
If I come earlier than my scheduled appointment time, can I see the provider earlier?
We cannot guarantee we can see you earlier than your scheduled appointment. However, occasionally we have cancellations or a no-shows which may allow the provider to see you earlier than your scheduled time.
If I walk in, can I be seen?
No. We do not have walk in hours.
Call our office at 303-494-7773 Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm to schedule an appointment.
How long will I have to wait to see the provider after checking in?
We do our absolute best to make sure you get in to see your provider at the time of your scheduled appointment. Healthcare is unpredictable and sometimes we may be running behind schedule. We will make every effort to get you in as quickly as possible and guarantee you will be treated with utmost respect. Our motto at Spine West is to “treat our patients like family.”