We have noted that in many cases patients in chronic pain are removed from their pain clinics/pain therapy when they obtain a medical marijuana card or test positive for THC. Many primary care physicians prefer to have a pain clinic manage their patients chronic pain, but have trouble placing those patients if they utilize alternative pain management such as cannabis therapy. We are here to help patients in both situations and most of our fixed offices.
Patients desiring pain services from Denali Healthcare will initially meet with one of our nursing staff to undergo an initial assessment. At this visit, patients will have a history taken, fill out forms, we will request their treatment records, order initial testing, and run a MAPS report to find out what controlled substances they have been filling at Michigan Pharmacies. A follow up appointment will be scheduled with the physician 2-4 weeks later to re-evaluate the patient and design a pain program specifically tailored to the patient. No pain medication will be prescribed on the first nursing visit.
Patients will see either the physician or the nurse on 2-4 week intervals for re-evaluation, depending on how stable the pain control is, and for those patients referred from primary care physicians, regular reports will be sent for continuity of care. We will handle the pain management, your primary care will handle your other medical needs. We do frequent and random drug testing to make sure you are taking medications as prescribed, and do frequent pill counts.
Our pain philosophy is based on minimizing high dose narcotics, using combination therapy, and alternative medicine. We understand there is a difference between 'pain free' and 'functional levels of pain'- our goal is not to make you numb, we want to control your pain to the point you can function. We stress realistic expectations when it comes to pain control.
Costs of this program are $60 for nursing visits, $100-200 for physician visits. Urine drug screens are $50. We currently offer these services at out Mt. Pleasant, Saginaw, and Marquette locations.
Here is the link to the intake form, please print and fill out, then bring to your first visit...