Accident pain doctors in Pennsylvania

Who regulates care in Pennsylvania

• Physician licenses: Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine
• Work injuries: Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation
• Medicaid program: Pennsylvania Medical Assistance

How accident medical bills are paid in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is a no-fault auto insurance state (drivers can choose no-fault or traditional coverage). After a crash, your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is usually billed first for medical care, whoever caused the accident. Tell the pain clinic you were in a car accident and bring your auto claim number.

After an injury: what to do first

• Get checked the same day for any head injury, severe pain or numbness; urgent care or an ER comes before a pain clinic.
• Report a work injury to your employer in writing; workers' compensation then pays approved care (Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation).
• A pain specialist is the right next step when pain lasts beyond a few weeks or limits work and sleep.
• Keep every visit, prescription and missed workday in one folder.

Choosing a pain doctor in Philadelphia

• Check the license with the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine. Physicians can also be looked up on DocInfo.org.
• Ask whether the doctor is board certified in pain medicine (through anesthesiology, PM&R or neurology).
• Ask which procedures are done in the office and which at a surgery center, and who reads your imaging.
• Bring a list of medicines, prior imaging (MRI, X-ray) and the dates your pain started or changed.