Need to be seen urgently?
Text us and tell us what happened. Accident and injury patients are given the earliest available slots, because soft-tissue injury responds best in the first days rather than the first months.
Texts are answered during clinic hours, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Text is not for emergencies — call 911 instead. Please keep clinical details out of text; it is not a secure channel.
We accept Missouri Medicaid. In interventional pain management around St. Louis, that puts us in a very small group.
Why is it so hard to find a pain doctor who takes Medicaid?
If you are on MO HealthNet and you have been trying to find a pain specialist, you already know the problem. You call a practice, you get through the first few questions, and then you are asked what insurance you have. The tone changes. You are told they are not taking new patients, or that there is a waiting list, or simply that they do not accept it.
It is not your imagination and it is not personal. A large share of interventional pain practices in this region do not accept Medicaid. The practical result is that people with Medicaid and genuine, treatable pain are left with three options: go untreated, get opioids from whoever will write them, or use an emergency department as a pain clinic. None of those is medicine.
We made a different decision, and this page is here so that people looking for the answer can find it.
What pain treatment can you get on Missouri Medicaid?
The same care as every other patient. Not a shorter appointment, not a restricted menu, not a different waiting room.
- A full assessment with Dr. Padda — history, examination and a review of any imaging you bring
- EMG and nerve conduction testing where it is needed
- Image-guided injections, nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation
- Physical therapy on site
- Work to reduce an opioid dose rather than simply continuing it
- Metabolic care where blood sugar and sleep are driving the pain
What should you bring to your first visit?
- Your MO HealthNet card
- Photo ID
- A list of your medications
- Any imaging you already have, on disc or with the name of the facility
- If you are in a managed care plan (Home State Health, Healthy Blue, or UnitedHealthcare Community Plan), bring that card too
Do I need a referral?
Some MO HealthNet managed care plans require a referral from your primary care provider for specialist care. Call us first — we will check your specific plan and tell you exactly what is needed rather than letting you find out at the door. See insurance and Medicaid for the full picture.
What other insurance do you accept?
We also accept Medicare, most commercial plans, auto med-pay after an accident, and workers’ compensation. If you are uninsured, call us and we will talk through the options. See insurance and billing.
Common questions
Are you really taking new Medicaid patients?
Yes. Call and book. If you have been turned away elsewhere, say so — it helps us understand how long you have been trying.
Will I be limited to medication only?
No. Procedures, nerve testing and physical therapy are all available. The plan is built from your diagnosis, not from your insurance.
Pain Management in St. Louis explains what that looks like.
Do you accept MO HealthNet managed care plans?
Yes. Bring both your MO HealthNet card and your managed care plan card, and we will verify before your visit.
I am on Medicaid and on opioids. Will you take me?
Yes. Nobody is turned away for arriving on an opioid prescription. See our opioid stewardship policy for how we approach it.
How far do people travel to you for this?
The office, hours and directions are on our Areas We Serve page.
Does Missouri Medicaid cover pain management here?
We accept MO HealthNet and its managed care plans, and Medicaid patients get the same care as everyone else: a full assessment with Dr. Padda, EMG and nerve conduction testing where it is needed, image-guided injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation and physical therapy on site. Some managed care plans need a referral from your primary care provider first, so call and we will check your specific plan.
Where can I find pain management that accepts Medicaid near St. Louis?
Here. A large share of interventional pain practices in the region do not accept Medicaid, which leaves people choosing between no treatment, opioids from whoever will write them, or the emergency department. We made a different decision. Call (314) 310-5577, bring your MO HealthNet card and photo ID, and tell us if you have been turned away elsewhere.
Hurt in an accident? Start here.
You do not need a lawyer, a police report or a referral to be seen. Bring your symptoms and we will work out the rest.
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Same-day appointments are often available for new accident and injury patients.