Living with back or neck pain is exhausting enough without adding red tape on top of it. If you’ve been putting off getting help because you assumed you needed a referral first, here’s some good news: for most patients, you don’t!* At Nebraska Spine + Pain Center, patients are welcome to request an appointment directly, no primary care sign-off required.
Why This Matters
A lot of people delay seeking care simply because they think there’s a step standing between them and our practice. In some common situations, their doctor is booked out for weeks, they believe they need an extra visit with their doctor to get permission to address pain they’re already dealing with every day, or they don’t have a primary care doctor right now.
Whatever the reason, none of those situations should stop you from requesting an appointment when you need it. If your neck, back, or spine is causing problems, you can reach out to Nebraska Spine + Pain Center and start the process yourself today.
How to Request an Appointment
Getting an appointment with one of our providers is straightforward, and there are a few ways to do it depending on what’s easiest for you.
- Fill out our online appointment form
The appointment request form works for both new and returning patients, and it only takes a few minutes to complete.
- Call our office
If you’d rather talk to a real person, you can call (402) 496-0404 and schedule directly over the phone.
- Use our returning patient portal
If you’ve seen us before and already have portal access, you can log in and request an appointment through your account.
Any of these options will get you on track to receive care immediately.
What to Have Ready
Once your appointment is confirmed, a link to patient forms will be emailed to you 24 to 48 hours ahead of time. To make your first visit go smoothly, it helps to have the following on hand:
- Photo identification
- Current insurance card
- A list of current medications
- A list of your allergies
- Your medical history
- Referring physician’s notes, if you happen to have them
- Past MRI, CT, X-ray, or nerve conduction study results, if applicable
- Copay or any required down payment
And if relevant:
- Auto accident liability claim info
- Workers’ compensation claim info
Notice that referring physician’s notes are listed as optional, not required. If a doctor has already given you notes or imaging results, bring them along since they can help your care team get a fuller picture faster. But if you’re coming in on your own, without a referral in hand, that’s completely fine too.
Care Close to Home
Nebraska Spine + Pain Center sees patients across several locations, including Omaha, Columbus, Fremont, Grand Island, Norfolk, South Sioux City, Council Bluffs, and Nebraska City. Board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons and pain physicians are on staff, offering everything from pain assessments and physical therapy to advanced diagnostics and both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options.
We also offer telemedicine if you’d rather start with a virtual visit before coming in person.
Seeking Care On Your Own Terms
Needing to track down a referral shouldn’t be what stands between you and answers. If you’re dealing with neck pain, back pain, or another spine-related issue, you can request an appointment at Nebraska Spine + Pain Center right now, on your own terms.
*If your health insurance plan is covered by UHC – Nexus ACO or Tricare Prime, please check with your insurance provider before scheduling a visit.
Visit nespine.com/appointments or call (402) 496-0404 to get started.