Patient Forms

We want to streamline your experience at the Desert Institute for Spine Care. These patient forms are provided to allow you to print them and fill them out before you come to the office. This allows us to spend more time with you when you arrive at the practice.

If you have any questions about filling out your patient forms, or if we can help in anyway, please contact us. We are looking forward to helping you on your path to better health!

Additional Patient Information

Telehealth

Connect to your doctor from the comfort of your own home.

Insurance Information

You need to be aware that your insurance policy is a contract. If you do not have a copy of your policy in its entirety, obtain one as soon as possible. We recommend that you read and understand your policy and if you have any questions regarding your coverage, contact the insurance company directly or your Human Resources Department for more information.

There are a number of different policies written (Indemnity, Preferred Provider Organization, Point of Service, Health Management Organization) and you need to know what your coverage is (annual deductible, co-insurance, maximum out of pocket expenses, lifetime maximum etc…). In some plans you can have in and out of network benefits known as a swing plan.

We have a contract with Medicare and currently do work with many other carriers on an ‘out of network’ basis. In some cases, if your insurance carrier cannot provide necessary medical care within the network, the carrier will grant the policyholder a waiver (sometimes referred to as a ‘Network Clinical Gap Exception’) to go outside the network for treatment. The medical claim is then submitted and processed as if the policyholder stayed inside the network.

We also work with Industrial Carriers. We feel the sooner the injured worker is able to return to work the happier everyone involved will be, especially the injured worker. If you have an out-of-state Workers Compensation claim and are interested in having one of our physicians evaluate your condition, please contact our Billing Department with your Workers Compensation information (i.e. claim number, adjustor’s name, phone number and extension, if applicable). We will be happy to contact your Claim Adjustor to initiate prior authorization for your treatment.

Each state has its own laws and regulations governing all types of insurance. You need to check with your State Insurance Department if you have any questions regarding your carrier. The Self-Insured Employer’s responsibilities are different than your general group policy with a small business. Your State Insurance Department enforces the laws, as well as providing the public with information about insurance.

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No Surprises Act & Good Faith Estimates

View and download a PDF of your rights and protections against surprise medical bills.

Privacy Practices

View and download PDF versions of documents concerning the privacy practices at DISC.

Travel & Hotel Accommodations

Desert Institute for Spine Care is pleased to offer medical travel options for your spine care needs. We will coordinate your care from start to finish.

Education

We are happy to provide additional educational resources to help you in your spine journey.

Dr Abrams explaining spine x-ray Dr. Abrams laughing

Ready To Enjoy Life Again?

No matter the painful spine condition, a second opinion consultation with one of our expert spine surgeons can help you find the right customized solution that gets you back to enjoying life.

ENJOY LIFE AGAIN!

Our spine health blog features up-to-date spine education and expert spine tips from our spine specialists here at DISC.

Desert Institute for Spine Care logo
November 29, 2023

Exercises to Treat Facet Syndrome

6 Exercises to Improve Your Posture
November 13, 2023

6 Exercises to Improve Your Posture

Kinesics is the expression of your body language. It’s the shrug of your shoulders, the quick wink to a friend, the unconscious puzzlement of your eyebrows when you can’t quite place a face. Your body evolves as you take on characteristics that define who you are. Your work and exercise routine will also have an […]

All About C5 and C6 Treatments
November 8, 2023

All About C5 and C6 Treatments

Each vertebra plays a role in supporting the body’s structure and facilitating movement. In this article, we will look at the cervical vertebrae, which comprise the upper portion of the spine. Specifically, the fifth (C5) and sixth (C6) vertebrae, as they hold special significance.  C5, the fifth cervical vertebra, finds its position just below C4 […]

treatment options for annular tears
November 7, 2023

Treatment Options for Annular Tears

An annular tear is a discogenic condition that impacts the spine, causing lower back pain. Natural wear and tear, sports injuries, improper lifting and repetitive motions are the most common causes of annular tears, as the injury results from the fibers that make up the intervertebral disc breaking or separating.  While these tears can occur […]

What Is Foraminal Disc Protrusion?
November 3, 2023

What Is Foraminal Disc Protrusion?

Foraminal disc protrusion, which is one way that contributes to foraminal stenosis, is a spinal condition that occurs when a disc in the spine extends beyond its normal boundaries and presses on the nerve roots within the foraminal canal. This canal is a passageway through which nerve roots exit the spinal cord and travel to […]

Everything You Need To Know About Restless Leg Syndrome
October 18, 2023

Everything You Need To Know About Restless Leg Syndrome

Do you ever have trouble sleeping because your legs and feet feel itchy, tingly or cramped? You may be experiencing restless legs syndrome (RLS), a condition that affects up to 10% of people in the United States. RLS usually happens at night or when a person has to sit still for a long time.  Depending on its […]

tiny cameras are now taking center stage in spinal surgery
September 18, 2023

How Tiny Cameras are Now Taking Center Stage in Spinal Surgery

Dealing with back pain caused by disc degeneration and herniation has long been a challenge. For years, surgeons have been using various techniques to address these issues, with the operating microscope being a crucial tool. However, a game-changing evolution is happening in spinal surgery thanks to a device that’s been around for a while — […]

M6-C Artificial Cervical DISC Two-Level IDE Clinical Study
September 15, 2023

M6™-C Artificial Cervical Disc Two-Level IDE Clinical Study

A Guide to Awake Spine Surgery
September 7, 2023

A Guide to Awake Spine Surgery

Having surgery while awake can sound a little odd, but in the field of spine surgery, it’s been happening for a few decades now. This unique method of surgery offers some exceptional benefits, helping people enjoy less recovery time and supporting surgeons in more accurate, safer procedures. Let’s explore awake spine surgery and how to […]

March 6, 2023

DISC Surgeons Named 2023 Top Docs

Congratulations to DISC’s surgeons, Christopher Yeung, Justin Field, and Nima Salari, for being chosen as Phoenix Magazine’s TOP DOCTOR in 2023.

January 16, 2023

Join Dr. Nima Salari at Amplify Surgical’s 2nd Annual Endoscopic Spine Symposium

Register today for Amplify Surgical’s 2nd Annual Endoscopic Spine Symposium, featuring dualPortal™ and dualX® System on March 4, 2023. 

December 22, 2022

Dr. Chris Yeung Featured on AZ Physicians

Congratulations to Dr. Yeung for being featured on the front cover of Maricopa County Medical Society’s “Arizona Physician” Winter 2022 magazine!

September 2, 2022

Spine Care for Baseball Players Podcast with Dr. Chris Yeung

Dr. Chris Yeung was interviewed by Arizona Physician Magazine – a publication that provides information for physicians across Arizona.

April 11, 2022

DISC Surgeons take Phoenix – Top Doc Award in 2022

Dr. Salari received the most votes in the Orthopedic Surgery of the Spine category. Dr. Yeung received the award for the 10th consecutive year.

January 7, 2022

Dr. Chris Yeung Panelist at UCI Health Webinar

DISC surgeon Dr. Chris Yeung participates as a panelist in UCI Health Comprehensive Spine Center Webinar Series on January 14th, 2022.

November 22, 2021

DISC surgeons participate in M.O.R.E. Spine Learning Center

DISC surgeons Dr. Salari and Dr. Wang participated as instructors in a recent M.O.R.E. Education Spine Program in Phoenix, Arizona on November 19-20, 2021. The M.O.R.E. Spine Learning Center offers surgeons the opportunity to attend cadaver labs, meet experienced surgeons and discuss the clinical, technical and economic aspects of new spine treatment technologies.

September 22, 2021

Join Dr. Chris Yeung at an Endoscopic Workshop at NASS

Begin or advance your Endoscopic skills at NASS on September 29th, 2021. Elliquence is dedicated to ensuring the best education for doctors and physicians on the Endoscopic Spine and MIS procedures using didactic and cadaveric hands-on instruction.

Spine Surgeon Spotlight - Dr. Nima Salari
September 14, 2021

Dr. Nima Salari Listed On Becker’s “50 Spine Surgeons To Know”

We are proud to announce that Dr. Nima Salari has been named to Becker’s Spine Review “50 Spine Surgeons To Know.” Written by Carly Behm | August 26th, 2021 Nima Salari, MD. Desert Institute for Spine Care (Phoenix). Dr. Salari was reportedly the first spine surgeon to implant Amplify Surgical’s 12-degree hyperlordotic DualX interbody cage. His specialties include pathologic conditions of the spine and minimally invasive surgery.