Patient Resources
Physician Referral
Healthcare providers can refer patients by faxing demographics, medical records, and a referral form to our office.
Fax: (918) 369-5512
Full referral details →Membership
Ask about our membership plans for ongoing pain management care. Membership provides streamlined access to Dr. Bhakta's services.
Call to learn more →Preparing for Your First Visit
A well-prepared first visit helps Dr. Bhakta build an accurate clinical picture of your pain quickly and begin crafting a treatment plan at your initial consultation. Bringing the right paperwork and history means fewer follow-up requests and a faster path to relief.
What to bring to your appointment
- •Photo ID and insurance card - needed at check-in for every visit.
- •Referral paperwork - if your primary care doctor or another specialist referred you.
- •Recent imaging reports - MRI, CT, or X-ray reports from the last 12 months if available. CDs or electronic copies are helpful; written radiology reports are essential.
- •Current medication list - include doses and frequency for all prescription and over-the-counter medications.
- •Treatment history - a brief written summary of physical therapy, injections, surgeries, or medications you've already tried for your pain.
Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time to complete new-patient paperwork. See our new patients page for intake forms, or review accepted insurance plans before calling.
Understanding Chronic Pain
Acute pain is the body's short-term alarm system, a sprained ankle, post-surgical soreness, or a pulled muscle. It resolves as tissue heals, usually within days to a few weeks. Chronic pain, by contrast, persists longer than three months and often outlasts the original injury, reflecting ongoing changes in nerves, joints, or the spine itself.
Chronic pain is also classified by its source. Nociceptive pain comes from tissue damage (arthritic joints, degenerative discs, or muscle strain) and typically responds well to targeted injections, radiofrequency ablation, or regenerative therapies. Neuropathic pain originates from irritated or damaged nerves (sciatica, cervical radiculopathy, or peripheral neuropathy) and often requires nerve-specific interventions like epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, or peripheral nerve stimulation.
Understanding which type of pain you have is the first step toward effective treatment. Rather than masking symptoms with long-term oral medication, PDTC's interventional treatment approach identifies the specific pain generator and addresses it directly, often restoring function and reducing or eliminating the need for daily pain medication.
Financial & Administrative Resources
We aim to make the financial side of pain care as clear as the clinical side. Our office can verify your benefits, walk you through costs, and provide the paperwork you need for work, disability, or records requests.
Insurance & Billing
We accept most major insurance plans in Oklahoma. Our billing team verifies benefits before your visit and coordinates any prior authorizations for interventional procedures. See our full insurance page for accepted plans.
Self-Pay & Good Faith Estimates
Patients without insurance can request a Good Faith Estimate under the federal No Surprises Act. Call our office for a written cost estimate based on your expected workup before your visit.
Medical Records & Forms
Request medical records, disability paperwork, FMLA forms, or imaging copies by calling (918) 369-5511 or faxing a signed release to (918) 369-5512. Most requests process within 5–10 business days.
Privacy & HIPAA
Your health information is protected under HIPAA. Review our HIPAA notice and privacy policy for details on how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal and medical information.
Pain Medication & Management Approach
While pain medication can be a component of treatment for certain clinical indications, our practice focuses on a multi-disciplinary approach aimed at reducing dependency through advanced interventional procedures. Dr. Bhakta follows strict clinical guidelines for medication management to ensure patient safety and long-term well-being. Our goal is to address the root cause of pain rather than simply masking symptoms, utilizing medications as one part of a broader, safer recovery strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring to my first appointment at PDTC?
Bring a photo ID, your insurance card, any referral paperwork from your primary care doctor, copies of recent imaging (MRI, CT, or X-ray reports within the last 12 months if possible), a current list of medications with doses, and a written summary of pain treatments you've already tried. Arriving 15 minutes early to complete new-patient paperwork helps keep your visit on schedule.
Can I drive myself home after an interventional pain procedure?
Most interventional procedures at PDTC (including epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, and radiofrequency ablation) are performed without sedation, so many patients drive themselves home. If you request sedation or receive a procedure that may affect mobility, arrange for a driver. Dr. Bhakta will discuss post-procedure expectations during your consultation.
How do I request medical records or forms from PDTC?
Call our Tulsa office at (918) 369-5511 to request medical records, disability forms, FMLA paperwork, or imaging copies. Records requests typically take 5–10 business days to process. You can also fax a signed release to (918) 369-5512.
Does PDTC offer telehealth or virtual visits for pain management?
Interventional pain management requires an in-person physical exam and, in most cases, fluoroscopy-guided procedures performed at our Tulsa office. For these reasons, PDTC conducts evaluations and follow-ups in person rather than by telehealth. Most patients from across the Tulsa metro (including Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, and Owasso) are within 25 minutes of our office.