Pain Management
Interventional and medical treatment of chronic pain with upfront pricing for injections, nerve blocks, and consultations
Pain Management is the specialty focused on interventional and medical treatment of chronic pain with upfront pricing for injections, nerve blocks, and consultations. OpenDoc keeps the common visit types visible so patients can compare the care path before they book. Transparent pricing on this page currently ranges from $100 to $2,000 across 14 common visit types. Chronic pain affects over 50 million Americans, and the average patient waits 6-12 months before seeing a pain specialist. OpenDoc connects patients directly to board-certified pain management physicians — typically anesthesiologists or physiatrists with fellowship training in interventional pain — with transparent cash-pay pricing starting at $150 for evaluations and upfront procedure quotes that eliminate surprise facility bills.
Common services and transparent pricing
Pricing estimates are modeled from the current OpenDoc specialty taxonomy, visit archetypes, and transparent cash-pay assumptions. Posted provider pricing should be treated as the source of truth whenever it is available. Pricing last reviewed April 8, 2026.
- New patient pain management evaluation — $200–$400: New patient pain management evaluation is a common pain management entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- Follow-up pain management visit — $125–$250: Follow-up pain management visit is a common pain management entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- Medication management visit — $150–$275: Medication management visit is a common pain management entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- Epidural steroid injection (cervical) — $600–$1500: Epidural steroid injection (cervical) is a procedure-oriented pain management service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Epidural steroid injection (lumbar) — $500–$1200: Epidural steroid injection (lumbar) is a procedure-oriented pain management service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Facet joint injection (single level) — $400–$900: Facet joint injection (single level) is a procedure-oriented pain management service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Medial branch nerve block (diagnostic) — $400–$1000: Medial branch nerve block (diagnostic) is a procedure-oriented pain management service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Radiofrequency ablation (single level) — $800–$2000: Radiofrequency ablation (single level) is a procedure-oriented pain management service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Trigger point injection (single region) — $100–$300: Trigger point injection (single region) is a procedure-oriented pain management service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Sacroiliac joint injection — $400–$1000: Sacroiliac joint injection is a procedure-oriented pain management service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Peripheral nerve block — $300–$800: Peripheral nerve block is a procedure-oriented pain management service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Knee joint injection (viscosupplementation) — $300–$800: Knee joint injection (viscosupplementation) is a procedure-oriented pain management service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pain management visit cost without insurance?
A new patient pain management evaluation costs $200 to $400 cash-pay. Follow-up visits and medication management appointments range from $125 to $275. Interventional procedures like epidural injections are priced separately and range from $400 to $2,000 depending on the procedure and whether fluoroscopic guidance is included.
Do I need a referral to see a pain management doctor?
No referral is needed on OpenDoc. You can search directly for a pain management specialist for any chronic pain condition. Having recent imaging (X-rays, MRI) and a list of previously tried treatments helps the physician develop an efficient treatment plan at your first visit.
How much does an epidural steroid injection cost without insurance?
Lumbar epidural steroid injections cost $500 to $1,200 cash-pay when performed in an office-based procedure suite. Cervical epidural injections range from $600 to $1,500 due to greater technical complexity. Hospital outpatient facility fees can add $1,000-$3,000, so choosing an office-based or ambulatory surgery center setting significantly reduces cost.
What is radiofrequency ablation and how much does it cost?
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses heat to disable specific nerves that transmit pain signals, providing relief for 6-18 months. It is commonly used for facet joint-mediated back and neck pain and sacroiliac joint pain. Cash-pay cost is $800 to $2,000 per level treated. Two diagnostic nerve blocks are typically required before RFA to confirm the pain source.
What is the difference between a pain management doctor and a neurologist?
Pain management physicians are typically anesthesiologists or physiatrists who completed a fellowship in interventional pain medicine. They focus on pain relief through injections, nerve blocks, and neuromodulation. Neurologists diagnose neurological conditions causing pain but generally do not perform interventional procedures. For chronic pain requiring injections or implanted devices, a pain management specialist is the appropriate choice.
How many epidural injections can I get per year?
Most pain management guidelines recommend no more than 3-4 epidural steroid injections per spinal region per year. The injections are typically spaced 2-4 weeks apart. If injections provide only temporary relief, your physician may recommend radiofrequency ablation or other longer-lasting interventions.
What is a spinal cord stimulator and who is a candidate?
A spinal cord stimulator is an implanted device that delivers mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord to interrupt pain signals. Candidates typically have chronic neuropathic pain (failed back surgery syndrome, CRPS, peripheral neuropathy) that has not responded to conservative treatments. A trial period of 5-7 days is performed first to assess effectiveness before permanent implantation.
Can pain management doctors prescribe medication?
Yes. Pain management physicians prescribe a full range of medications including anti-inflammatories, neuropathic pain agents (gabapentin, pregabalin), muscle relaxants, and when appropriate, controlled substances. Many modern pain practices emphasize a multimodal approach combining medications with interventional procedures, physical therapy, and behavioral strategies to minimize reliance on opioids.