Undercover At a Florida Pain Clinic: Scenes From Vanguard

Ah, blog journalism at its finest!
So...a wanna-be reporter goes "undercover" to a Florida pain clinic, asks the receptionist what their prices are and what types of pain medications they typically prescribe for pain, then goes outside and bums a cigarette from a hillbilly and chats with him and another hillbilly about why they travel to get to this clinic. After the pricing clip, footage from a congresswoman is inserted, talking about what a "racket" the pain clinic industry is.

I have no relationship with this clinic or this industry, but I am a chronic pain patient and have been frustrated by the pain clinic hysteria in recent years (and the resulting hoops that legitimate pain patients have to jump through). So if I may play "devil's advocate" for just a second here ... the prices listed: $200 for a first visit, $140 for a second visit, and $290 for an MRI, all cash.

First, an MRI is a diagnostic scan and is standard practice for most common types of pain (e.g., disc-related pain). For an MRI, $290 isn't a "racket" - it's a great bargain! MRI's typically cost around $1000 or more. My last MRI was fairly typical and the imaging center billed my insurance company $2050 (and ultimately received $552). As for the appointment costs and the fact that they require cash, I don't think that is out of line at all, and a cash requirement is fairly common for clinics of all types.

The two guys being interviewed didn't comment on whether or not they were genuinely in pain, they merely said that doctors near their home were reluctant to prescribe narcotics. I can sympathize with them and will add a personal observation: if you're in serious pain, you will do *anything* to make the pain go away, including driving a few days if necessary.

For all of the criminal behavior that is alleged to be taking place at these pain clinics, I would truly expect more from an "undercover" video clip. If this video is the best a wanna-be-reporter could do, perhaps the "pain clinic problem" isn't as bad as people have been alleging.

the Corporations are making to much $$ things down here will not change.. I use to buy bottles of 500 xanax at twenty five cents a piece, like any free market supply and demand.. Not all clinics here are pill mills run by selfish doctors..

I have a sister that is addicted to these drugs and is selling them too. I need to get her some help and I have no idea where to turn since she is adult and doing it with legally obtained prescriptions. This informative documentary is great! Thanks for all the work you have done on this topic and I can only hope this changes in Florida.

The OxyContin Express, doesnt seem to be available in UK any more.. What gives?

I think that a major part of the problem is the entire attitude that people shouldn't be able to use mind-altering substances or medications for recreational use at all. That attitude is a major part of the reason why people end up abusing substances so harshly; firstly because no legitimate culture of use develops surrounding these substances to help moderate use and secondly because we create a line in the sand that once people cross, encourages them to stay on that side.

On top of that it leads to difficult situations for those who are in genuine need of these substances for medical purposes because of all the suspicion of, and stigma associated with, abuse.

as a chronic pain sufferer who's been through every possible treatment option over a 30+ year period I'm left with opiod narcotics as one of the only reliefs I get.

I can well understand there is abuse with these drugs, but the societal reaction that they generally aren't suitable for chronic pain causes doctors to be extremely strict and cautious when prescribing these types of medications.
This is also harming the quality of life for persons who actually have pain.

Please provide some background for why people would go to such lengths as long drives to Florida to access these medications. it wasn't my understanding that the persons interviewed were all there just to 'score' narcotics. some are probably in similar situation to myself.

Would be nice to see more done specifically balancing the actual need and medical community hesitance to prescribing this valid form of medication versus the effort to stop abuse. Stopping abuse shouldn't hinder patients who have legitimate needs from getting these drugs on a regular basis.

best regards,
MJL

We need more press to do real investigations like this.

nice work mariana .. vanguard deserves that emmy :)