Steven W. Thatcher, M.D.
Adding to your lifestyle by reducing pain and improving function.
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FAQ

Q: Where are you located?   
A: The office is conveniently located at Christie Clinic on Windsor Avenue (not the downtown Christie Clinic).  Plase see a map on this website for directions, or use www.mapquest.com for specific directions from your starting location.  There is plenty of free parking at Christie on Windsor.
Q: Do I need a referral from my primary doctor?
A: No.  All insurance types currently, including HMOs such as PersonalCare, do not require a referral to see Dr. Thatcher.  You may call the office directly for an appointment.  
Q: What conditions does Dr. Thatcher treat?
A: In general, any condition that elicits pain.  This would include orthopedic joint pain (e.g. knees, ankles, shoulders, et cetera) and neck and low back pain. Sports injuries, work injuries and arthritis pain management is provided, also. Please click on the "Diagnoses Treated" tab above for more specific diagnoses.
 
Q: What conditions does Dr. Thatcher not treat?
A: Narcotic-dependant pain that has lasted for years, recalcitrant to all forms of previous therapy and usually dependent on narcotic analgesics on a long term basis. Dr. Thatcher does not fill prescription narcotic "pain pills" for patients with long-standing pain.  These forms of painful conditions require a multidisciplinary pain clinic, with a chronic pain physician, dedicated pain physiotherapists, a psychologist, biofeedback, sometimes inpatient care, urine and serum drug level testing, spinal instrumentation (e.g. pain medication pumps, electrical stimulators), and contracts for narcotic use.  These specialized chronic pain clinics are located typically in major metropolitan areas (e.g. Chicago, St. Louis) and would need to be located by the chronic pain patient directly by contacting their insurer for covered resources; our office cannot provide a referral.
Q: How do I make an appointment?
A: Simply call the office at                217-366-7450        .  If it is after hours, we have an answering machine; simply leave your name and number and we will contact you during weekday business hours.  To schedule an appointment, you will need your name, reason for visit, and your insurance information.  Once the appointment is scheduled, patients new to Christie Clinic can pre-register, and the staff can provide you that contact number.
Q: What should I bring to my first appointment?
A: Please bring your current list of medications, and if available, any X-ray, MRI or other reports or films.  The most important thing you will need is "you", as we will have a discussion about your history and pain, and together we can decide what other information or tests might be helpful.  Please arrive early.
 
Q: I was injured at work.  Does Dr. Thatcher treat workman's compensation injuries?
A: Yes.  An injured worker may call for an appointment through their employer or may--as allowed under Illinois State Worker's Compensation Law--come on their own after seeing the company's doctor for an independent opinion.  Although prior approval from the employer is helpful, it is not mandatory.  We will schedule an appointment to be seen with a direct call from the patient.  If you are unsure if your pain is related to work and have not yet informed your employer, feel free to make a simple consultation appointment here and together we can determine if activity inside or outside of work is the cause.
 
Q: I was injured in an accident (e.g. motor vehicle accident, slip and fall, etc.).  Do you treat my type of injury?
A: Yes.  Once stabilized medically, and after severe injury is treated by the ER, Dr. Thatcher can manage care.  Direct contact with any third party (e.g. automobile) insurance or, if necessary, your attorney is provided from our office.
 
Q: Do you treat sports related injuries? 
A: Yes.  Injuries from sports and leisure activities are some of the most common painful conditions. Dr. Thatcher is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and can diagnose the problem and provide a rehabilitation program.
 
Q: Does Dr. Thatcher prescribe physical therapy and refer to chiropractic care?
A: Yes.  Both forms of treatment and utilized appropriately once a diagnosis is made, and both can be very helpful. 
 
Q: Does Dr. Thatcher work with surgeons? 
A: Yes.  Although every effort is made to exhaust avenues of conservative care prior to surgery, for those cases that mandate surgery, Dr. Thatcher works with orthopedic and neurological surgeons to assist you.  Dr. Thatcher can assist with pre and post surgical outpatient care and rehablitation.
 
Q: Does Dr. Thatcher provide work restrictions, activity modification, and assist with disability / FMLA forms?
A: Insofar as the restriction or work activity is part of your comprehensive treatment plan set by Dr. Thatcher, yes. Work status or restriction forms or contact with your employer from the doctor is established with you personally first.
 
Q: I know my diagnosis but need a specific disability evaluation because I am applying for disability (e.g. SSDI).  Can Dr. Thatcher help?
A:  If the appointment is specifically and solely to determine disability--permanent, long-term disability or to complete medical disability forms--those are not done by our office.  Those disability evaulations would be completed by an Occupational Medicine specialist, usually through a patient's employer.  Dr. Thatcher can prescribe and complete forms for short term disability as part of the treatment of the acute condition.
 
Q: I have a question about my insurance coverage, billing, co-payment, et cetera?  Who do I call?
A: Please see related information under "Billing" tab at the top of our home page.