Category: For Patients

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Thank you for choosing our practice for your spine and pain care needs. Our team is committed to providing compassionate, thorough, and patient-centered care.

Before Your Appointment

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment—even if your paperwork has already been completed.

This allows our front office team to:

• Take a patient photo
• Review consent forms
• Collect payment (if applicable)
• Scan identification and insurance cards
• Verify your demographic information

To help us provide the best care, please make sure your latest medical records and imaging reports (MRI, CT, X‑ray) have been sent to our office before your visit.

You may receive a reminder call or message prior to your appointment. If you have any questions or concerns before your visit, please contact our office at 269-266-3104 during business hours. If you reach voicemail, please leave a message and a member of our team will return your call as soon as possible.

What to Bring

To help ensure a smooth visit, please bring the following items to each appointment:

Identification

• A valid driver’s license or photo ID.
• If you are unable to provide a photo ID at the time of your visit, your appointment may need to be rescheduled to meet insurance and compliance requirements.

Insurance

• Your current insurance card.
• Insurance information must be reviewed at each visit to ensure active, accurate coverage.

Medical Information

• Any updates to your personal information, including address, phone number, medical history, or referring provider.
• Please ensure that your most recent medical records and imaging reports (MRI, CT, X‑ray) have been forwarded to our office prior to your appointment, as all diagnostics are performed outside our system.
• A photo may be taken on your first visit for your electronic medical record.

Medications (if applicable)

• A current list of your medications, including dosages and frequency.
• Please include supplements or over‑the‑counter products you regularly use.

Note:

We will review your information at each visit, and it may feel repetitive. However, confirming your identification, insurance, and personal details at every appointment helps ensure your safety, prevent billing issues, and maintain accurate medical records. Even small changes—such as a new phone number, updated insurance, or a different pharmacy—can impact your care.

Your First Visit   

Your initial appointment will focus on a comprehensive evaluation of your pain and medical history so we can determine the most appropriate treatment plan for you.  Our practice is not built on a single course of treatment, but on the best use of multiple team members and options.  Your treatment with us may involve medications, injections, behavioral health, and/or physical therapy.  Our goal is to do what works for you; your recommendations are based on a thorough assessment of your current health and your goals for improvement.

We understand that medications can play an important role in managing pain. At your first visit, your provider will take time to understand your history, symptoms, and goals. Opioid therapy may be an option for some patients, but only when it is clearly safe and clinically appropriate. Your care team will talk through all available options before making any medication decisions.

Please note:

• Procedures or injections are not performed at the first appointment.

Appointment Policy

Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice so we can offer the time to another patient.

Office Hours

Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: Closed

Insurance Participation

Great Lakes Pain Center is currently contracted with the following insurance plans. We are continuing to expand our participation, so this list may change as additional contracts are finalized.

If you do not see your insurance listed below, please contact our office and we will be happy to help verify your coverage.

Currently Participating Plans

If you have questions regarding your specific benefits, copays, deductibles, or referral requirements, please contact your insurance provider directly using the number listed on the back of your insurance card.

Financial Policy

All applicable copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, and outstanding balances are due at the time of service unless other payment arrangements have been made.

For your convenience, we accept:

A $25 service fee will be applied to all returned checks.

If you are unable to pay your balance in full, please contact our billing office at 616-315-0120 as soon as possible so we can discuss payment arrangements. We understand that there may be times and circumstances that come up where you are unable to pay your entire bill.  Our goal is to work with you to prevent your account from being sent to a collection agency.

Accounts that remain unpaid and without payment arrangements may be referred to a collection agency, and the balance (including any collection fees) will need to be resolved before future appointments can be scheduled.

Office Location & Driving Directions

Great Lakes Pain Center
4121 Shrestha Drive
Bay City, MI 48706

Directions:
From Wilder Road, turn at Gordon Food Service. Continue approximately ¼ mile—our office will be on the l Phone: 989-686-6900
Fax: 989-686-6911

To comply with state laws regarding controlled substance prescriptions, we require a narcotic risk evaluation prior to prescribing pain medication. Pain medication will not be prescribed during your first visit. Your provider will discuss this when developing your treatment plan with you. For every visit and every refill (including phone refills), we run a Michigan Automated Prescription Monitoring System (MAPS) report. MAPS reports are used to monitor the names of controlled substances dispensed, the date prescriptions are issued, if there are multiple opioid prescribers, or if there are inconsistencies between patients’ medical records. Our providers review these reports prior to prescribing any opioid medications.

Patients are also required to complete the “Start Talking Form”, or the informed consent form provided by the state. The purpose of this form is to educate patients about the risks associated with opioid use. You can expect to sign a new “Start Talking Form” anytime a new opioid medication is started.

Many insurance companies are putting new policies into place that limit the types and amounts of opioids that can be prescribed. Insurance also requires evidence that patients have attempted to wean from opioids and that they have tried other non-opioid methods of pain control.

GLPC is committed to decreasing patients’ reliance on opioids for pain control by utilizing a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach to chronic pain management. You will be asked at each visit what types of treatments you have tried or are using to manage your pain. Treatments include a home exercise program, physical therapy, chiropractic therapy, ice/heat, and over the counter or prescribed medications. A combination of all these treatments can be used to manage pain and can help decrease reliance on opioids.

Need to Request a Copy of Medical Records from GLPC?

To obtain records, submit a signed and dated Authorization for Use or Disclosure of Protected Health Information to the clinic.  The form may be obtained at the clinic, or you can download an online release form at the link below (preferred and fastest way):

Great Lakes Pain Center Authorization For Release Of Medical Records Downloadable PDF

Your request is processed by MediCopy, our HIPAA Business Associate.

Some requests are processed at no charge to the requesting party (such as referrals for continuing care).  Other requests are charged a fee, in accordance with state statutes. MediCopy bills requesting entities such as attorneys, insurance companies, etc. directly; patients are not billed for this work.

MediCopy processes the requests for the requested records. Please allow 7 business days after your forms have been accepted by GLPC for processing and delivery of the invoice.

Need to Send a Copy of Medical Records TO GLPC?

New and returning patients often need to have certain medical records sent to GLPC to assist in their diagnosis and treatment.  If you need your current (or previous) provider to send your records to GLPC, a request form may be obtained at the clinic, or through this link:

Release of Info/HIPAA Form TO Great Lakes Pain Center

Great Lakes Pain Center offers many resources for patients and their families to learn and understand more about chronic pain. The menu on the left includes additional information for patients, including information on different painful conditions and the part of the body affected by them as well as treatments and procedures offered.

To become a patient with our practice you may need a referral if your insurance requires one. You can call (989)- 686-6900 or contact us using the form below and one of our schedulers will get in touch with you.