March 25, 2016
Coming to the Spine Institute Northwest from Out of State? Here’s What You Should Know
Dr. Solomon Kamson and the team at the Spine Institute Northwest have been seeing an increased number of patients coming in from states outside Washington, including Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Montana and North Dakota. If you are unable to find the care you need where you live — for example, if your only option back home is open back surgery, or you want a second opinion from a specialist — traveling to the Spine Institute Northwest makes sense. Here’s what you should know if you’re getting ready for a trip to come see us.
Make Sure Your Insurance is in Order
Even if you’re paying out of pocket, your carrier may require you to meet certain standards even if your procedure will not be covered. You should also double-check what exactly your policy does cover when you are out of state or out of network. At a minimum, your plan should allow you to get prescriptions filled.
Let Us Help You Out
You’re already in pain — you don’t need the additional headache of planning a trip. Even if you’re driving in from Oregon or Idaho, you’ll still need at least one night in a hotel in order to do your follow-up appointment the day after your procedure. If you’re coming further, then we’re talking air travel and ground transport in addition to accommodations. No matter what state you’re traveling from, the Spine Institute Northwest staff can help you with travel arrangements and advice.
Plan Your Packing
For both before and after your procedure, you’re going to want to bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Choosing items that make your life easier — like slip-on rather than lace-up shoes — is also a good idea. Bags that roll are also a must, so that you aren’t doing any lifting. Sure, you’ll have a friend or family member with you, but you don’t want them totally weighed down with bags!
Get Everything Set Back Home
You’ll be able to recover comfortably in your own home after a minimally invasive laser spine surgery. To make that transition as smooth as possible, it’s a good idea to set up a “recovery room” before you leave. Make sure that space has extra pillows, blankets, and towels (for their regular uses, but also in case you want to be propped up in any way). Ensure that necessities like water, snacks, and medication can be kept within arm’s reach so you don’t have to stretch up or bend down.
Dr. Kamson and the Spine Institute Northwest team take pride in offering excellent care not just to our own neighbors, but to Americans from across all 50 states. If you’re curious about traveling to the Spine Institute Northwest from out of state, call us at 206-496-0630 to learn more.
