New Patients
Your First Visit Explained
We've integrated a brief telemedicine consultation into your first appointment so your chiropractic care is coordinated, documented, and covered by more insurance plans from day one.
Integrated Healthcare
A New Standard for New Patients
Kingwood Chiropractic Spine and Injury Center has partnered with Post Acute Specialist's Medical Partnership to offer a fully integrated healthcare model. For new patients using health insurance, this means your first visit includes a brief telemedicine consultation with one of our partnering medical doctors — completed right here in our office before you see Dr. Hamel.
This coordination ensures every patient receives a thorough medical screening, establishes medical necessity, and creates the documentation your insurance plan may require — all while keeping chiropractic care at the center of your treatment.
Patient Care
What Happens on Your First Visit
Here is exactly what to expect when you arrive as a new patient using health insurance:
- 01
Complete Your New Patient Paperwork
Arrive a few minutes early to complete your health history, current complaint, and insurance forms. Our team will also copy your insurance card at this time.
- 02
Brief Telemedicine Consultation with a Medical Doctor
Before your chiropractic exam, you will meet with one of our partnering medical doctors through a secure, in-office telemedicine consultation. This brief session reviews your complaint, medical history, and current symptoms — establishing medical necessity and the coordinated documentation many health insurance plans require.
- 03
Comprehensive Chiropractic Examination with Dr. Hamel
Immediately following the telemedicine consultation, you proceed to your full chiropractic evaluation with Dr. Tyler Hamel. This includes orthopedic and neurological testing, postural assessment, range-of-motion evaluation, and a detailed review of your spine and musculoskeletal system.
- 04
Treatment Plan Discussion
Dr. Hamel will explain his findings, discuss the diagnosis, and outline a recommended treatment plan — including visit frequency, services indicated, and expected recovery timeline.
- 05
First Treatment Begins (Same Visit, When Appropriate)
If chiropractic care is appropriate and your condition allows, your first treatment can typically begin during the same appointment. This may include spinal adjustment, soft tissue work, or therapeutic modalities based on your diagnosis.
- 06
Referrals Coordinated If Needed
If advanced diagnostics — such as MRI, CT scan, EMG, nerve conduction studies, or lab work — are indicated, or if specialist evaluation is needed, our team coordinates those referrals for you directly.
Integrated Care Model
How This Benefits You
As a patient in this integrated model, you gain access to a level of coordinated care that goes beyond what a standalone chiropractic visit can provide:
- Access to more than 85 in-network health insurance plans
- A telemedicine consultation with a medical doctor — completed in our office, no extra trip
- A more comprehensive evaluation of your injury or condition
- Your chiropractor and medical doctor working together as one coordinated team
- Greater confidence that the most accurate diagnosis and treatment plan are in place
- Reduced risk of missing injuries that require additional testing or specialist care
- Medical documentation that helps support insurance requirements for medical necessity
- Access to a broader range of chiropractic therapies and rehabilitation services when covered
- Dr. Hamel remains the primary provider directing your chiropractic treatment throughout
- Smoother process when MRI, CT scan, EMG, nerve conduction studies, or specialist referrals are needed
- More efficient coordination with orthopedic specialists, neurologists, and pain management physicians when needed
Why the Change
Why Are We Doing This?
Healthcare and insurance requirements have changed significantly over the years. Many health insurance plans now require additional documentation, demonstration of medical necessity, and coordinated care before approving certain services or extended chiropractic treatment.
Because of these evolving requirements, many chiropractic offices across the country have chosen to leave insurance networks altogether rather than meet the documentation burden. We chose a different path.
Rather than limiting the care our patients can access, we partnered with a medical team that supports comprehensive, evidence-based patient care while keeping chiropractic at the cornerstone of treatment.
This model is very similar to how physical therapy has operated for many years. A medical doctor evaluates the patient, establishes medical necessity when appropriate, and refers the patient for treatment. Our integrated chiropractic model follows this same coordinated approach — while ensuring chiropractic care remains the primary treatment for musculoskeletal conditions whenever appropriate.
Our Care Standard
Our Commitment to You
Our patients continue to receive chiropractic care from Dr. Tyler Hamel, DC. The integrated model adds medical coordination and documentation support on top of exceptional chiropractic care — it does not change who directs your treatment.
Chiropractic Stays Primary
Dr. Hamel remains your primary treating provider directing all chiropractic decisions. The medical partnership supports your care — it does not replace it.
Coordinated Documentation
When a medical doctor refers you for chiropractic care, it creates the coordinated documentation between providers that many insurance plans require to establish and support medical necessity.
Better Access to Diagnostics
If your condition requires MRI, CT scan, nerve studies, lab work, or specialist evaluation, the medical partnership streamlines ordering and coordinating those services on your behalf.
25+ Years of Patient-Centered Care
Since 1999, our mission has been accurate diagnosis, individualized treatment, and the highest standard of patient care. This partnership lets us deliver even more of that to every patient.
Common Questions
New Patient FAQs
Does the telemedicine consultation cost extra?
No. For patients using participating health insurance, the telemedicine consultation is billed as part of your overall care under the integrated model. Our team will review any out-of-pocket details before your visit.
How long does the telemedicine consultation take?
It is typically brief — most patients complete it in 10 to 15 minutes. It takes place right here in our office immediately before your chiropractic exam, so your total first-visit time is not significantly extended.
Do I need to do this if I am self-pay or using auto PIP?
The integrated telemedicine model applies primarily to patients using health insurance. Self-pay patients and those using auto PIP or workers comp typically proceed directly to their chiropractic examination. Call us to confirm what applies to your situation.
What if the medical doctor says chiropractic is not right for me?
Dr. Hamel will still conduct his own independent chiropractic examination. If chiropractic care is clinically appropriate, it will proceed. The medical consultation is a coordination step, not a gatekeeper.
Can I start treatment on my first visit?
In most cases, yes. If chiropractic care is appropriate based on your examination findings, treatment typically begins the same day. We aim to start your recovery as quickly as possible.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring your insurance card, a photo ID, and any recent imaging reports or records from previous providers. Arrive 10 minutes early to complete your new patient paperwork.
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule Your First Visit
Call or text us to schedule your new patient appointment. Same-week visits available. We will verify your insurance benefits before you arrive so there are no surprises.