Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rocky Mountain Restorative Medicine's role in our patients treatment?

As we are a specialty clinic, we strive to assist all of our patients with their needs related to physical medicine and rehabilitation. We have expanded services to include ways to approach one’s full health by including IV Nutritional Therapy and weight loss management. For our medical services we provide consultation to our patients and give expert recommendations to your primary care provider.

What are your hours?

We are open 8 AM – 5 PM Monday – Thursday and Friday 8AM – Noon. We are closed for lunch 12 PM – 1 PM

How do I get in contact with someone in an emergency?
If you are having a medical emergency, you need to call 911.
What is an Epidural Steroid Injection?

An epidural steroid injection is a procedure that can be performed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. It involves placing local anesthetic and steroid around an irritated nerve or into the epidural space. If this has been recommended for you, please visit our instruction sheet under special procedures found on the patient resources page.

What is Radiofrequency Denervation/Ablation?

This procedure deactivates minor sensory nerves around the spine. This is done using radiofrequency energy to heat the surrounding tissue and deactivate the nerve fibers that register pain. The doctor will access the affected nerve using fluoroscopy for guidance. Once properly positioned, a special probe then allows for the delivery of radiofrequency energy to the targeted area. The results of this procedure can last from months to years. If this has been recommended for you, please visit our instruction sheet under special procedures found on the patient resources page.

How can I be sure of total patient confidentiality?

We take patient confidentiality very seriously. All of our employees are required to sign a patient confidentiality agreement regarding the care of your personal medical information. We have a form that you sign at your first visit that states how we are allowed to disclose, or give out, your protected health information. Please feel free to call the office if you have any questions.

How can I get my medical records?

Any medical records we have on file for you can be obtained by calling or stopping by our front desk. A document must be signed before we can release medical records to you or to other providers based on the HIPAA guidelines.

Who do I call if I have a question about my medical bill?

RMRM does not have in-house billing for health insurance. This is outsourced with a local company (right down the road from us). For insurance related questions please call Business Options.

Phone: 970-765-0808
Fax: 970-497-8410
Toll Free: 800-570-9909 EXT 808

 

Do I need a referral from another physician?

Check with your individual health plan.

How do I cancel my appointment?

Please call 970-615-7223 during our normal business hours or you can leave a detailed message with your first and last name with your date of birth. You must notify Rocky Mountain Restorative Medicine no later than 24 hours prior to your appointment to change or cancel your appointment. If you do not notify the Practice and you do not show up, you will be charged with a $30 no show fee to your appointment and a $60 no show fee to your epidural steroid injection or RFA procedure (surgical center). This fee will not be covered by your insurance company.

How do I pay for wellness and laser aesthetic services?

Payments are accepted with cash, credit card or check at time of service.

Do you offer gift cards?

Yes! We offer gift cards for our wellness and laser aesthetic services!

What health insurance do you accept?

For our medical services, we accept most commercial and governmental health insurance plans, we may or may not be in network with your specific plan. Please contact your insurance provider for details on your coverage.

We offer several services which health insurance is not covering at this time.

Do you bill my insurance?

For our covered insurance office visits and interventional procedures, we will bill any insurance. However, we may not be considered a “preferred provider” on your particular plan, which means your insurance may not pay the full amount. You should contact your insurance company (the number should be on the back of your card) to inquire about your specific benefits.

What medication(s) are injected with an epidural?

The following are the medications may be used during injections:

  • Steroids (Cortisone)
    There are many types of steroid medications that can be used which can have a similar effect.

The steroid that is used in this office is a synthetic (man-made) form of the steroid that your body normally produces in small amounts.

Following an injury or after repeated use: nerves, tendons or joints may become inflamed or irritated. Steroids help your body in reducing this inflammation.

We have all heard about the problems with steroids, such as those used to improve athletic performance and increase muscle size, as well as problems with long term steroid use for other medical conditions. The steroids we use are much smaller amounts and since it is injected into a specific space, you do not get the “whole body” effect. However, we are limited in the total amount and the frequency of injections due to the overall steroid dose.

  • Local anesthetic
    A local anesthetic (numbing medication) is also used at the time of the injections to provide temporary relief from the pain and discomfort caused by the injection itself.
  • Contrast (Radiologic Dye)
    A very small amount of contrast may be used to outline the area to be injected prior to the medications being put in.
What do I need to know if I’m schedule for a procedure (injection)?

YOU MAY NEED TO COORDINATE WITH THE PRESCRIBING PROVIDER(S) TO ARRANGE FOR MANAGEMENT OF BLOOD THINNERS.

Please discuss with your PCP if you have to bridge with Lovenox or heparin.

  • Ticlid (ticlopidine) stop 14 days prior to the procedure.
  • Aspirin, Coumadin (warfarin), Plavix (clopidogrel), Aggrenox ( stop 7 days prior to the procedure.
  • Pradaxa ( and stop 5 days prior to the procedure.
  • Anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, naproxen, Celebrex, diclofenac, Mobic, Relafen, etc.) stop 3 days prior to the procedure.
  • Supplements containing fish oil/DHE, ginger, ginko biloba or feverfew stop 7 days prior to the procedure.

Tylenol (acetaminophen) and your other medications are okay to continue taking with the exceptions discussed above.

  1. NOTIFY YOUR PROVIDER IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE THAT YOU ARE:

Pregnant or chance of being pregnant as injections use x-ray guidance

Allergic to anesthetic, steroids, radiologic dye or latex as these will need to be avoided

Diabetic or have uncontrolled blood pressure problems. If you are diabetic please, check your blood sugar before your appointment. The injection may cause your blood sugars to elevate so check your blood sugar frequently for the next 2-3 days after the injection and make adjustments as necessary. You may have to notify the doctor who treats your diabetes if you have elevated blood sugars so that you can be treated appropriately

  1. PLEASE STOP EATING 3 HOURS BEFORE THE PROCEDURE, unless you are diabetic and then please discuss this rule with your provider before the day of the procedure. You may have clear liquids up until 1 hour before your appointment.
What do I need to know post epidural or RFA injection?

After the injection, you may feel: 

  •  Some numbness, weakness or tenderness in the arm/leg. This is normal and due to the anesthetic. It should improve within a few hours.
  •  Local tenderness at the injection site. This is normal. Apply ice to the area for 20 minutes 3-4 times per day and rest. Tylenol (Acetaminophen), ibuprofen (Advil) or naprosyn (Aleve) can be used to relieve any minor discomfort.
  •  Local swelling or redness at the site of the injection (normal). If there are raised red, significantly tender areas, call us.
  •  If steroid (cortisone) was used, it may take several days for this to take effect. Occasionally, the steroid can cause the pain to increase for 1-2 days before it improves your symptoms.
  •  Occasionally the cortisone can cause a temporary adverse reaction. This typically includes flushing or redness of the face and/or sleeplessness. Benadryl can be taken. Symptoms can last a couple of days.
  •  Restrictions include not submerging the procedure site in standing water such as a hot tub, bathtub or swimming pool for 24 hours, as these can slightly increase the risk of infection.
  •  If you are diabetic, the injection may cause your blood sugars to elevate. Please check your blood sugar frequently for the next 2-3 days after the injection. Make adjustments as necessary. You may have to notify the doctor who treats your diabetes if you have elevated blood sugars so that you can be treated appropriately.

DISCLAIMER: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.

Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. Rocky Mountain Restorative Medicine expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. Rocky Mountain Restorative Medicine does not endorse specifically any test, treatment, or procedure mentioned on the site.