Dr. Michael A Amster, MD
Pain Medicine
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Office Address
3000 EL CAMINO REAL BLDG 4, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Phone
Counties Served
Santa Clara County, Marin County, Solano County, Sacramento County, San Joaquin County, Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, Colusa County
Credential
MD — QME Certified
About Dr. Michael A Amster
Dr. Michael A. Amster is a pain management specialist in Santa Cruz, California, double board-certified in pain medicine and family medicine with additional board certification in integrative medicine. He graduated from UC Irvine School of Medicine, completed his family medicine residency at UC Davis, and his anesthesia-based pain management fellowship at the University of Iowa. Dr. Amster is the director for pain management curriculum and founder of the pain management program at Santa Cruz Community Health. He is a faculty member at the Dignity Health Dominican Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program. He is also a certified yoga and meditation teacher, qigong instructor, and co-author of 'The Power of Awe.' He has approximately 25 years of clinical experience.
Education & Board Certifications
- MD, UC Irvine School of Medicine
- Residency in Family Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine
- Fellowship in Anesthesia-based Pain Medicine, University of Iowa School of Medicine
Languages Spoken
About Pain Medicine QME Evaluations
Pain Medicine QME evaluations focus on chronic pain conditions resulting from workplace injuries, including complex regional pain syndrome, failed back surgery syndrome, and neuropathic pain. The evaluating pain specialist determines whether ongoing pain is causally related to the industrial injury and assesses functional limitations.
Under California workers' compensation law ( LC §139.2), QME physicians must meet qualification standards set by the Division of Workers' Compensation and must follow the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 5th Edition (2001), for impairment ratings.
Common Conditions Evaluated
Workers' Compensation in Served Counties
Dr. Michael A Amster serves workers' compensation cases in Santa Clara County, Marin County, Solano County, Sacramento County, San Joaquin County, Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, Colusa County, California. Each county has its own WCAB district office that handles workers' compensation disputes and hearings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of cases does Dr. Michael A Amster evaluate as a QME?
A Pain Medicine QME evaluation involves a comprehensive review of medical records, a clinical examination, and a written report addressing causation, treatment needs, and permanent impairment. The evaluating physician follows the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 5th Edition (2001), as required by California workers' compensation law.
Where is Dr. Michael A Amster's office located?
Dr. Michael A Amster's office is located at 3000 EL CAMINO REAL BLDG 4, Palo Alto, CA 94306. The office serves workers' compensation evaluations for 8 California counties including Santa Clara County.
What are Dr. Michael A Amster's board certifications?
Dr. Michael A Amster holds the following board certifications: Board Certified - Pain Medicine, Board Certified - Family Medicine, Board Certified - Integrative Medicine, Certified Yoga Teacher, Certified Qigong Instructor. Board certification demonstrates that a physician has met rigorous standards in their specialty beyond basic medical licensure.
What is Dr. Michael A Amster's education and training background?
Dr. Michael A Amster's training includes: MD, UC Irvine School of Medicine; Residency in Family Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine; Fellowship in Anesthesia-based Pain Medicine, University of Iowa School of Medicine. This training provides the clinical foundation for conducting independent medical evaluations in pain medicine workers' compensation cases.
How many years of experience does Dr. Michael A Amster have?
Dr. Michael A Amster has approximately 25 years of medical experience. As a QME-certified pain medicine physician, this clinical experience informs evaluations of injury causation, treatment appropriateness, and permanent impairment in workers' compensation cases.
Which counties does Dr. Michael A Amster serve for QME evaluations?
Dr. Michael A Amster is available for QME evaluations in Santa Clara County, Marin County, Solano County, Sacramento County, San Joaquin County, Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, Colusa County. Each county is served through the DWC panel process, and evaluation locations may vary.
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