New patients will be asked to fill out patient information. This can be done ahead of the visit if you can print out the patient forms from our website and bring it to your initial encounter. Also please bring in your lab results and all diagnostic imaging from your referring physician to save time. We will require that you present your insurance card and a valid identification.

The first visit will be more lengthy than most regular visits but this is essential to ensure that you receive the best care possible. We recommend that you come in fasting for your initial appointment in case laboratory tests or other tests that require fasting state are ordered. Lab Corp and Quest Diagnostics are available in our building. We encourage patients to come in fasting as follows: For morning appointments nothing after midnight and for afternoon appointments try to schedule your first meal of the day 4 to 6 hours before your appointment. You can drink water ad lib.  Avoid caffeinated products the day of your visit. Some blood tests are best completed early morning or if you are a women of reproductive age you may be asked to complete blood tests at certain time of the monthly cycle therefore the fact that you present fasting for your visit does not necessarily mean that you will be able to complete blood tests on that day. 

If you were referred to this office, the information obtained, including laboratory studies and treatment recommendations, will be communicated to the referring physician.

Patients are expected to pay for services and balances at the time of their visit at check in. We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards. Fees will vary according to the time required for the consultation and depending on your insurance coverage. Deductibles, co-pays or other fees may apply. 

We accept most insurance plans. Please verify with your insurance company that we are in your network prior to your appointment. We bill your insurance company directly; however, you will be responsible for your co-pay at the time of your visit. You will be also be responsible for any deductible or remaining payment prior to services rendered. Our billing is handled by Carmen Vega and billing questions should be directed to their office at (832) 490-4579.

If laboratory tests or images are ordered pre-visit they will be discussed at the time of the visit. 

If laboratory tests or images are ordered during an appointment to be completed that same day you may be asked to schedule a follow up appointment to go over results. If laboratory tests return abnormal you may be asked to either complete further tests and schedule an appointment to discuss. 

The review of laboratory results after a visit are not considered part of the clinical encounter and it is the professional time of the clinician. Turnaround time for laboratory results and diagnostic images/studies is 7 business days. 

A patient portal is a secure online website that provides patients access to secure communication between the office staff and patients. While you can send a message at any time during the day, portal messages are only reviewed during business hours. Turnaround time for portal messages is 2 business days. For any emergencies please dial 911 or for acute issues please call our office. 

Please note that if you are sending a message for a new or established problem that requires a physician or other qualified health professional’s evaluation, assessment, and management, your insurance will be billed for those services and this encounter may be associated with a financial responsibility from your part. Please note that this will include advice or recommendations about any health care concern. 

Examples of use of patient portal messages includes refill requests, new insurance information, cancellations or rescheduling appointments in a timely manner or to inform our staff when you have completed tests that we have ordered. Please note that after hours cancellations less than 24 hours from your schedule appointment will be counted as a no show and you will be responsible for no show fees.  

Prescription refills are approved only during office hours as your chart must be available. For refills, call your pharmacy and they will contact us for authorization. Under Texas law, certain medications are refillable by the pharmacist only by direct communication with the prescribing physician. Occasionally, therefore, there may be a delay in their approval. Please allow for this when obtaining refills, preferably by calling your pharmacist in a timely manner and we recommend 7 days prior to your prescription running out. Refills will not be handled during holidays, after hours, office closures or weekends. If your insurance requires a prior authorization, the expected turnaround time is 7 to 10 business days. 

The safety and care of our patients is our number one priority. Recent changes in state law and our office policies and procedures regarding controlled substances were designed with your safety and care in mind.

State laws define controlled substances as not just narcotics, but also medications for sleep, weight loss, anxiety or testosterone supplements. New changes in law require us to take additional measures when prescribing controlled substances to our patients. These include:

• Patients will be required to be seen in the office every 90 days, with the exception of patients on long term testosterone without negative effects who must be seen every 6 months.

• As providers, we are required to review a controlled substance report on each patient through the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program. 

If you have missed an appointment, a small amount of your medicine may be refilled to allow you to schedule a return appointment and still remain under treatment however it is your responsibility to make every effort to be seen within the time allotted and recommended by the clinician. If you do not follow the recommendations your prescription may be denied. 

Our professional staff is prepared to assist you with any questions that you may have. In those cases where the health care provider needs to talk to you, calls are returned after patients are seen in the afternoon. If you leave a message on our voicemail with your name, date of birth, phone number and reason for calling, we will return your call within 2 business days.