ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the distinction between policies and procedures, the purpose and components of each and the integral role they play in the day-to-day operation of a multidisciplinary chronic pain management program. It outlines strategies for striking the delicate balance between consistency in treatment and respect for the individuality of each patient. The chapter discusses the important role of uniform policies and procedures in the process of gaining reimbursement from the health insurance industry for multidisciplinary chronic pain management. The largest group of policies and procedures for the operation of a multidisciplinary chronic pain management program is likely to pertain to clinical operations. Policies in this area pertain to appropriate documentation, multimodal pretreatment assessment of patients, development and tracking of treatment goals, outcomes assessment, discharge planning, follow-up and after-care of patients, external consultations, consents for treatment, releases of information, billing of patients, medical record maintenance and storage.
