Do I need a referral for pain management?
Some insurance plans do not require a referral to schedule an appointment at our clinic. However, TriWest and Alaska Medicaid do require a referral before scheduling. If you’re unsure, our team can help verify your insurance requirements.
What conditions do you treat?
We diagnose and treat a wide range of pain conditions affecting the body from head to toe, including:
- Chronic migraines and headaches
- Back, joint, and musculoskeletal pain
- Nerve pain and radiculopathy
- Fibromyalgia and complex pain syndromes
- Long COVID-related pain
- Connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
Our team specializes in comprehensive evaluations to identify the root cause of pain and develop personalized treatment plans.
What should I expect on my first visit?
At your first visit:
- You will complete intake paperwork and review your insurance benefits at check-in
- A medical assistant will collect your vitals and medical history
- You will spend approximately 30–60 minutes with your provider
Your provider will:
- Review your medical history and prior imaging/tests
- Perform a comprehensive evaluation
- Develop a personalized diagnosis and treatment plan
If a procedure is recommended, we will obtain any required insurance authorization and contact you to schedule once approved.
Do you accept insurance or self-pay?
We are in-network with:
- Aetna
- Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Alaska Medicaid
- TriWest (Tricare West & VA)
We are an opt-out provider for Medicare and cannot bill Medicare directly. For most out-of-network plans, we can submit claims on your behalf, but we recommend confirming your benefits with your insurance provider.
What does it mean if Alpenglow Pain & Wellness is out of network with my insurance?
If Alpenglow Pain & Wellness is out of network with your insurance plan, it means we do not have a contracted agreement with that insurance company or network. You may still be able to receive care at Alpenglow; however, your benefits and out-of-pocket costs may be different than when seeing an in-network provider.
How are out-of-network benefits applied?
If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, your insurance may still pay a portion of your services. Out-of-network services often have a separate deductible, higher coinsurance, or reduced coverage compared with in-network services. Some plans do not provide out-of-network benefits at all.
Your insurance company may also calculate payment based on its own allowed or reasonable and customary amount, rather than Alpenglow's billed charge.
What if I have another insurance plan that Alpenglow is in network with?
If you have both primary and secondary insurance, and Alpenglow is in network with one plan but out of network with the other, both plans may still be billed according to their required order and coordination-of-benefits rules.
When Alpenglow has an in-network contract with one of your insurance plans, the contracted allowable amount for that in-network plan still applies. Having an additional out-of-network plan does not eliminate Alpenglow's contractual obligations with the insurance plan we participate with.
For example:
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If your primary insurance is in network with Alpenglow and your secondary insurance is out of network, the primary insurance processes the claim first using Alpenglow's contracted rate. The remaining eligible balance is then submitted to the secondary insurance for consideration.
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If your primary insurance is out of network but your secondary insurance is in network with Alpenglow, the primary insurance processes the claim first. The claim is then submitted to the in-network secondary plan, and Alpenglow's contractual requirements with that plan are applied when determining the final eligible patient balance.
Having two insurance plans does not guarantee that your remaining balance will be paid in full. Each insurance company determines how it coordinates benefits, and deductibles, copays, coinsurance, exclusions, and other plan provisions may still apply.
What is balance billing?
When Alpenglow is out of network with your insurance, we generally do not have a contract requiring us to accept that plan's out-of-network allowed amount as payment in full. Depending on your coverage and whether another in-network insurance plan applies, you may be responsible for the difference between Alpenglow's charge and the applicable allowed amount, in addition to deductible, coinsurance, copay, or non-covered amounts. This is commonly referred to as balance billing.
For example, if a service is billed at $300 and your out-of-network insurance bases its benefits on an allowed amount of $200, your insurance may calculate its payment and your cost-sharing based on $200 rather than the full charge. You may also be responsible for the remaining difference, when permitted and when another applicable in-network contract does not limit that balance.
Can Alpenglow tell me how much I will owe before my visit?
Alpenglow can provide an estimate based on our full rates for the services expected to be provided. However, with out-of-network insurance, we generally cannot determine the exact amount your insurance company will allow before the claim is processed.
The insurance company determines its allowed amount and how your benefits apply after the claim has been submitted and processed. If you have multiple insurance plans, the final amount may also depend on how your primary and secondary insurance coordinate benefits.
Because of this, any amount collected at the time of service is an estimate and may not represent your final responsibility. Once all applicable insurance claims have been processed, you may receive a bill for additional amounts that were not collected at the time of service.
How can I better understand my benefits?
We recommend contacting your insurance company before your appointment and asking about your specific coverage, including:
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Does my plan include out-of-network benefits for Alpenglow Pain & Wellness?
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Do I have a separate out-of-network deductible?
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What is my out-of-network coinsurance?
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How does my plan determine its allowed amount for out-of-network providers?
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Am I responsible for charges above the plan's allowed amount?
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If I have another insurance plan, how will my benefits coordinate with my primary or secondary coverage?
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Are there services that are excluded from out-of-network coverage?
Alpenglow is happy to provide information about our rates and estimated charges when available. However, verification of benefits and estimates are not a guarantee of insurance payment or final patient responsibility. Insurance companies make the final determination regarding how claims and coordination of benefits are processed, and patients are ultimately responsible for charges not paid by insurance.
What is an In-Network Gap Exception?
An In-Network Gap Exception, sometimes called a Network Gap Exception or Network Adequacy Exception, is a special authorization from your health insurance company that may allow you to receive care from an out-of-network provider while using your in-network insurance benefits.
These exceptions are typically considered when your insurance network does not have an available provider who can meet your specific healthcare needs.
Does an approved In-Network Gap Exception mean my insurance will pay the provider at in-network rates?
Not necessarily. An In-Network Gap Exception generally applies to how your insurance benefits are processed, not how much your insurance company agrees to reimburse the provider.
For example, an approved exception may allow your claim to be processed using your in-network deductible, copayment, or coinsurance rather than your out-of-network benefits.
However, this does not automatically change the provider's fee schedule, establish a contracted reimbursement rate, or guarantee that your insurance will pay the full billed amount.
Will I only be responsible for my in-network copayment or coinsurance?
Not necessarily. Although your insurance may apply your in-network cost-sharing benefits, the provider remains out of network.
Because there is no contracted fee schedule between the provider and your insurance company, there may be a difference between the provider's billed charges and the amount your insurance allows or pays.
Depending on the terms of your exception, your insurance plan, and applicable balance-billing protections, you may be responsible for additional charges beyond your standard in-network cost-sharing.
Does an In-Network Gap Exception make the provider in network?
No. An approved exception does not change the provider's network participation status or establish a contract between the provider and your insurance company.
The provider remains out of network, even if your insurance agrees to process certain services under your in-network benefits.
What should I confirm with my insurance company?
Before receiving services, we recommend asking your insurance company to confirm:
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Whether your in-network deductible, copayment, and coinsurance will apply.
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Whether the exception includes a negotiated reimbursement arrangement or only changes how your benefits are processed.
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Whether you may be responsible for charges exceeding the insurance company's allowed amount.
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Which providers, services, and dates are covered under the approval.
Important Reminder
An approved In-Network Gap Exception does not guarantee that your services will be paid in full or that your out-of-pocket costs will be limited to your normal in-network responsibility.
At Alpenglow Pain & Wellness, we strive to provide transparent estimates before services are rendered. However, because we are not contracted with your insurance company, your final financial responsibility may differ from the estimate based on how your insurance processes and reimburses the claim, the specific terms of your approved exception, and applicable patient billing protections.
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can schedule an appointment by calling or texting our office at 907-677-7246. Our team will help you find the next available appointment and guide you through any required steps.
Do you prescribe medication or focus on procedures?
We take a personalized, patient-centered approach to pain management. Treatment may include:
- Interventional procedures
- Therapies and lifestyle modifications
- Safe, conservative medication management when appropriate
Our goal is to treat the underlying source of pain, not just symptoms.
What treatments do you offer?
We offer a range of treatment options tailored to each patient, including:
- Medication management
- Minimally invasive interventional procedures
- Regenerative therapies
We can also coordinate referrals for:
- Physical therapy
- Massage therapy
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic care
Our focus is improving function and quality of life through a customized care plan.
Additional Patient Questions
What can I do for muscle soreness or pain after exercise?
Muscle pain after activity may be due to strain, overuse, or conditions like shin splints. We recommend:
- Proper footwear and avoiding hard running surfaces
- Gradual training progression
- Physical therapy or gait analysis if pain persists
Should I use heat or ice for pain?
- Ice is best for acute injuries (sprains, inflammation)
- Heat is helpful for chronic muscle tension and stiffness
Magnesium supplementation and Epsom salt baths can also help relax muscles.
Can pain medications be addictive?
Some medications, particularly opioids and benzodiazepines, can be habit-forming. Most other pain medications are not addictive when used appropriately under medical supervision.
Are steroids commonly used for pain?
Steroids are used selectively. While they can be helpful in certain conditions (like nerve inflammation or sacroiliac joint pain), we aim to minimize their use when possible.
What can I do for chronic or widespread body pain?
Helpful strategies include:
- Regular low-impact exercise (walking, swimming, yoga)
- Strengthening and posture improvement
- Stress management and relaxation techniques
For conditions like fibromyalgia, medications and structured exercise programs may also be recommended.
When should I seek urgent care for pain?
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe abdominal pain (possible appendicitis or organ-related issues)
- Sudden or severe headaches with unusual symptoms
- Signs of serious injury or complications
Some pain may originate from other systems and require evaluation by a primary care or emergency provider.
What causes chronic back pain?
Back pain can have many causes, including:
- Disc issues
- Facet joint pain
- Nerve compression
- Muscle strain
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
A thorough evaluation and imaging review help identify the exact cause and guide treatment.
Are there natural ways to manage pain?
Yes, many patients benefit from:
- Heat therapy and Epsom salt baths
- Magnesium supplementation
- Exercise (yoga, pilates, strength training)
- Stress reduction techniques (meditation, breathing exercises)
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