Prepare for your spine consultation

Schedule with Dr. Hobbs

Call (219) 250-5010 to request a spine consultation and ask about current appointment availability. Explain whether you are a new patient, seeking a second opinion, or following up after treatment. Confirm which office location is on your appointment.

For existing patients, use the LBJI patient portal for the services available through your account.

Insurance and referral requirements

Coverage depends on your specific insurance plan, the clinician, the facility, and the services involved. Call the office and your insurer to confirm participation before scheduling. A referral and prior authorization are separate requirements; ask whether either applies.

• Have your insurer, plan name, and member card available when calling.
• Ask whether Dr. Hobbs and the proposed facility are in your plan’s network.
• Confirm any referral, imaging authorization, or procedure authorization requirements.
• Ask your insurer about your deductible, copay, coinsurance, and other possible out-of-pocket costs.

LBJI billing information

What to prepare

• Your appointment confirmation, identification, and insurance information.
• Relevant MRI, CT, or X-ray images and written reports, following the office’s transfer instructions.
• A current medication and allergy list.
• A summary of symptoms, prior treatments, and questions.
• For previous spine surgery: operative reports and follow-up records, if available.

Ask the office which materials it needs and how to send them securely. Do not put medical records or personal identifiers into the website’s educational assistant.

Referrals and work injuries

Referring clinicians can review the referral pathway. For a work-related injury, see workers’ compensation care and coordinate authorization with the appropriate claims contact.

Common questions