Psychiatric Clearance for SCS and Pain Implants — in 48 Hours
Telehealth pre-implant psychiatric evaluation for patients pursuing a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) trial or permanent implant, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulator, or intrathecal pain pump — PCS-Short catastrophizing, opioid-risk screen, plus PHQ-9, GAD-7, AUDIT-C, and DAST-10. Signed report delivered to the pain team within two business days.
For patients and referring pain teams
Two ways in
Book a clearance visit
If your pain team has asked for a psychiatric clearance before an SCS trial, permanent implant, DRG stimulator, or intrathecal pump, book a virtual visit and we'll send your signed report to the pain team directly.
Book a visitRefer a patient
Send a case and we'll handle intake, the evaluation, and the report — formatted for payer, device-manufacturer, and pain-program review. 48-hour turnaround, one point of contact.
Refer a patientWhy this evaluation matters
Payers and device manufacturers expect a pre-implant psychiatric evaluation for SCS trials, permanent implants, DRG stimulators, and intrathecal-pump candidates. A standardized assessment reduces denied authorizations, flags untreated depression, catastrophizing patterns, and opioid-use risk early, and documents realistic expectations — the factors most tied to long-term implant outcomes.
Pain-implant-specific screens
- PCS-Short (Pain Catastrophizing Scale – Short Form). Validated measure of rumination, magnification, and helplessness patterns that affect implant outcomes.
- Opioid-use risk screening. Current and past opioid use, aberrant-behavior indicators, and risk stratification.
- PHQ-9 and GAD-7. Validated depression and anxiety screening — universal to every AlviPsych clearance.
- AUDIT-C and DAST-10. Validated alcohol and drug-use screening — universal to every AlviPsych clearance.
- Pain-behavior & secondary-gain review. Coping style, reinforcement patterns, and engagement with multidisciplinary pain care.
- Device-protocol adherence & expectation alignment. Ability to follow trial rules, recharge, programming visits, post-implant follow-up, and realistic pain-relief and functional-goal targets.
How it works
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Book
Patient scans the QR code or books at alvipsych.com/book.
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Secure intake
Consent, HIPAA, and assessment forms completed online before the visit.
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Virtual evaluation
Conducted by a board-certified psychiatrist over secure video.
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Report within 48 hours
Signed clearance letter and structured report delivered to the pain team and patient.
What's in the report
- Clearance determination — cleared, conditional, or not cleared.
- Summary of validated screener results: PCS-Short, PHQ-9, GAD-7, AUDIT-C, and DAST-10.
- Pain-related psychological factors — catastrophizing, mood, coping, and opioid-use risk.
- Psychiatric diagnoses and treatment recommendations, if any.
- Expectation-alignment summary and candidacy impression.
- Any conditions that should be addressed before the trial or implant.
- Signed, licensed, and dated — formatted for pain-program, device-manufacturer, and payer review.
Who it's for
This evaluation is for patients pursuing:
- Spinal cord stimulator (SCS) — trial or permanent implant
- Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulator
- Intrathecal pain pump
- Peripheral nerve stimulator (PNS) when psychiatric clearance is required
- Reimplantation or revision of a previously implanted pain device
Pricing
- Secure intake and assessment forms
- Virtual evaluation with a board-certified psychiatrist
- Pain-implant-specific screens (PCS-Short for catastrophizing, opioid-risk screening, device-protocol adherence), PHQ-9 and GAD-7 (mood), AUDIT-C and DAST-10 (substance use)
- Signed clearance letter
- Structured report delivered to the pain team
Ready to move an SCS or pain-implant clearance forward?
Patients can book a virtual visit in under two minutes. Pain teams and coordinators can send cases directly through the referral page.
