Austin Emergency Center – Far West

I came to AEC because I had essentially sliced off the top of my finger while cutting meat. I was very worried about the excessive bleeding as well as the risk of infection (due to exposure to raw meat). As soon as I got to this location on Far West, I was immediately calm and comfortable. These guys are rock stars! Quick, efficient, caring, knowledgeable, competent, AND affordable. Can’t think of anything even mildly negative to say about them!

The staff at Austin Emergency Center were very understanding. I had an accident and was in need to be seen by a doctor to determine what was wrong. I was taken back almost immediately and was greeted by an amazing nurse (Unfortunately I cannot remember her name) who was super nice and was able to recognize my pain and concerns. She kept me at ease in my room, and almost immediately I was seen by Dr.Donna. The doctor was also very sympathetic and helpful. She ordered a cat scan and I was impressed by how soon I had the test and the results. They kept me in the room and kept me comfortable throughout my stay. They prescribed me medication to help in between waiting to be seen by the specialist.
If I ever have any other emergency, I now know who to go to and refer others to.
By the way, they will let you know in writing and in person that this is an emergency room visit. There is absolutely no reason why this office would hide that from any patient before they are brought back.

Short summary to a long Unilocal review: I was a dummy for going here in the first place, I’ll admit it. But this place is, as far as I can tell, a scam. At the very least, their reception staff has no idea how their business actually works. At the worst, the business as a whole is intentionally taking advantage of people who are confused as to what the true purpose of this place is and charging rates that have very little to do with the actual care received.
It is a for-​profit EMERGENCY ROOM. Not an urgent care clinic, not a health center. An EMERGENCY ROOM. DO NOT GO HERE UNLESS IT IS A TRUE EMERGENCY. The staff at the front desk, apparently, will not help you understand that… at least not when I went. Based on other reviews it sounds like some staff do explain that, so maybe I was just unlucky. However, it was a completely miserable experience for me, so I will do my best to break it down in the hope that other folks don’t make the same mistake I did.
I went in for a very, very minor issue — I had been exposed to the flu and was leaving for vacation to a remote area of NC the next day. I simply wanted a prescription written so that, in an unfamiliar location, I could fill it quickly and begin treatment should the need arise. I was short on time and it was near where I worked so I figured I’d stop in and get this settled quickly and easily. I explained this all to the receptionist over the phone and she told me to come on in! No problem, we’ll get you in and out! I went in, filled out the paperwork, and then asked how much it would cost just to get a scrip written, no tests, no nothing, because I wasn’t sick. She said she didn’t know, every case is different, depends on how your insurance bills you, etc., but it’s in network (all ERs are in network in Texas, it turns out), and there was no copay, so I should be fine… Don’t worry, we’ll take care of it, the most important thing is that you have a great vacation and don’t let some silly flu ruin your time. I saw the doctor a little bit later and we chatted for about a minute and a half. I told him I didn’t need any tests, he wrote the scrip, and I was out of there.
Well, I got the bill in the mail a while later and it was $ 1450. For a 1.5 minute doctor’s visit. The reason is that they charge a «Facilities Fee» that, according to their website, varies depending on several factors, including the «procedures performed, patient acuity, potential liability, and the complexity of the physician/​patient interaction». They rationalize it by saying it’s required to maintain ER level of care and preparedness. That makes sense, of course, but for me, the facilities fee came out to about $ 1000 out of pocket for me after processing through insurance, which I think paid about $ 200-​$ 300. Given that I was in there with no symptoms, I explicitly asked for no tests, and I told them I was there only to get a scrip, that has to be their baseline and it goes up from there. No one explained that to me. The doctor’s visit itself was another $ 450 out of pocket for me (the entire bill was more but the insurance covered some). Again, that has to be the baseline charge since he literally looked in to my throat with a light, asked me a couple questions, and wrote me a scrip. No tests, no diagnostics, no nothing.
Now, the good/​bad/​weird part is that, since I clearly refuse to pay $ 1.5K for a Tamiflu scrip, I started discussing things with their billing department. After a few back and forths and explaining the insanity of the situation, I was able to settle the whole bill, pretty easily, for $ 500 as a «courtesy discount», a «quick pay discount», etc. All I had to do was call in, explain the situation and indicate that I simply can’t pay this for the treatment I got, ask to speak to a supervisor, and that was it. It took a couple calls, but no big deal. On one hand that’s good because I have to pay much less than I feared, but on the other hand it shows that their rates are completely made up, inflated, and unsubstantiated, and that their entire business model is sleazy, built on people blindly paying these insanely high bills.
I will say that the lady I spoke with at the billing department was very friendly and helpful. Shout out to you, ma’am.
So that’s about it folks… good luck, stay healthy, and don’t go to Austin ER Center unless your arm is literally falling off of your body. Tell your mama, tell your papa, tell your friends.

They were fast, nice, and cheap. Fixed my foot fast. Great place. They didn’t try to run gratuitous test or procedures.

Came in the other day feeling terrible! I normally don’t get sick especially to the extent that I was feeling last week. I work thirds and my doctor was closed so I decided to come out to Austin emergency center. They were able to get me right to the back and get me evaluated. The staff was very professional and quick to attend to me. I can say this experience outpaces any other emergency room experience I’ve ever had. Was able to get tested for the flu and strep and received my prescription in a very quick manner. Thanks!

I came in to get a strep test, and was immediately informed it would cost more than the typical urgent care clinic because they staff ER doctors. I agreed to stay, the waiting area was clean and inviting and the staff was very friendly.
The Dr. Portillo saw me immediately and took great care of me. His staff, nurse Candice (sorry if I got that wrong) and Daniel were friendly and helpful.
I would definitely return for other problems, and recommend it, as long as you ask for prices up front.

Took my 4.5 yr old here late at night for a possible break (elbow). From the moment we walked in, the entire staff was caring, attentive and efficient. I was really impressed. We had zero wait time. While in the animal-​themed exam room, they had a flat screen tv playing Disney Junior shows, which kept my kiddo entertained. And he was thrilled afterwards when the nurse offered him a prize from the prize box… and these were nice prizes, not your usual bouncy balls and stickers.
I would definitely recommend this place to friends and family. I felt like we were in very good hands.

This is the best place to go for an emergency. I will never waste time at a hospital ER again if I don’t have to. Excellent care from staff and doctors!

Good service, but emergency room pricing is ridiculous. Went in thinking I might have the flu; tested negative with a ridiculous 4-​digit tab. I won’t come back here unless I’m bleeding out.

My wife went to Austin Emergency Center on Far West in the middle of the night and came back two hours later with an antibiotic prescription for her bladder infection. She got good care and has nothing to complain about other than they seemed to make a big deal out of the smallest things. Our insurance’s EOB arrived today and the charges for the Austin Emergency Physicians PLLC alone were slightly under $ 900. Don’t know if there will be other charges, but I assume the labwork will be another chunk.
I’m just writing this review to warn everyone that Austin Emergency Center is not a minor emergency center where you get out the door for $ 75. Be prepared for four digit bills which, if you are like me, will still not exceed a new $ 6000 deductible that I had to accept in order to afford my Obamacare-​approved insurance. That high deductible insurance, by the way, is $ 200/​month more than the previous $ 1500 deductible insurance with Blue Cross that it replaced. To have a $ 1500 deductible would have cost me $ 7,080 a year more than my old policy. Thanks so much, Mr. President!

Wow! I’ve never received this fabulous level of care — even at my own doctor’s office. The doctor, nurses, & staff were caring professionals who really went out of their way to take care of me.

We arrived in the early morning hours and found a very clean facility and an extremely competent and professional team. Our medical needs were quickly assessed and dealt with in a timely manner. The ability to directly admit the patient to a hospital was a big plus. I would highly recommend this emergency center.

Class act. Well equipped even up to having a full scale mri onsite. Experienced physicians and adaptable RNs and techs. Can admit directly to hospitals, at minimum in the St. David’s system.
The staff did a thorough professional job with my spouse who recently suffered an injury. No qualms about returning should the need arise.

DO NOT GO HERE UNLESS IT IS AN ACTUAL EMERGENCY. THIS IS NOT AN URGENT CARE CLINIC.
Or what happened to me will happen to you– you will go in for a non life– threatening situation and end up with a bill for several thousand dollars. Even after the 50 percent courtesy discount they offered me when I was a squeaky wheel about it, I ended up paying almost $ 900 out of pocket.
Long story short? You’re much better off going to an actual emergency room if you need it, or finding an urgent care clinic that will charge you a reasonable price for the services they offer.

Have gone there twice now with mixed experiences.
Pros– close by, no waiting, friendly staff, immediate help/​results
Cons — ER prices, so make sure it is an emergency. this is not a clinic
one mishap — Last time i took my daughter for a possible broken arm. Their xray machine was off. Waited one hour, then they sad they couldn’t turn it and get it working. Had to go elsewhere.

Pros: Full emergency room facility open 24 hours.
Con: Emergency room prices.
Broke my leg. Knew what happened at the moment and needed treatment right away. Did not need the full on ER. It was early on a Sunday morning and most walk in clinics were not open.
The Austin Emergency Center was open. They have a ramp and a wheelchair, and were very nice about bringing the wheel chair out to get me into an exam room.
Details we noticed:
— Very pleasant and helpful front desk.
— Quick with the paperwork, and the
I was in/​out in about 1 hour.
Went to a specialist the next day to get fitted for a cast and they said the half cast and bandage was the correct treatment for the break.
No bill yet, but got a letter from AEC reminding me they are a full service ER. My best guess is I need to prepare myself for some sticker shock.

I am so happy to have Austin Emergency Center in my neighborhood! My son wrecked on his bike and needed stitches in his hand. The front desk recptionist was so friendly and we went straight back to an ER room within 5 minutes of arriving. Dr. Okpara was so nice and friendly. When we left my son said that Dr. Okpara was so gentle with him that it didn’t hurt to get stitches. My son really liked Dr. Okpara. Daniel the X-​ray Tech was really nice and helpful and Donna the nurse was really sweet. I have to say this is the best ER I have ever visted! If you come here I know that you will really like the service!!!
Remember this is a full service ER NOT a Minor Emergency Clinic. Austin Emergency Center is a great place to come and you will not wait for hours to be seen by a doctor. The facility is top notch!
Great job Dr. Okpara, Daniel, and Donna!!!

Excellent attentive fast. Highly recommend this over Urgent Care more expensive copy but worth not having to wait hours to be seen.

I went to this clinic on a Friday evening to treat an ear infection. I didn’t want to wait for an appt with my doctor and the standard «urgent care clinics» were closed. I give these guys two stars for being opened and for providing relatively efficient service. BUT I had to pay the Emergency Room copay which was much more expensive. I saw a doctor, received two shots, and received a prescription. Today I get a bill from my insurance that this place is not in the United Healthcare plan, and that the bill submitted to them by Austin Emergency Center was $ 2500! Yes, $ 2500 for a 5 minute doctor consultation and two shots. Unbelievable. It is more than my insurance will cover and they wanted me to know there may be an additional balance due. If you have urgent medical need my suggestion is to go to an actual hospital emergency room rather than deal with these guys.

Summer in Northwest Hills means kids are injuring themselves at the pool like mad. Our boy was one of the many, I’m sure.
He split his chin and we ran down to the new center. Fast service — nice people from the folks at the desk to the nurse staff and the doc on call. Glue, no stitches, made my boy’s day and he even got a hot wheels car as a gift for being a big kid. Nice!
We’re glad you’re in the ‘hood and hope not to visit you again any time soon (sorry, but you know).