First Choice Emergency Room

BUYER BEWARE, SCAM ARTISTS! $ 2,500 FOR LESS THAN 30 MINUTES OF MINOR CARE!
I went to the First Choice Emergency Center because I was suffering from a bad rash that was causing me a great deal of discomfort, I figured it was poison ivy but I wasn’t sure and it was Saturday morning, so getting into a dermatologist was near impossible.
Upon entering their facility which at the time was completely empty, I was greeted by a nurse that asked for my insurance and information, after she made a copy and I returned the signed paperwork, I asked the front desk nurse to verify that my insurance was accepted and that their facility was in my insurance network, I had heard horror stories about people being charged thousands of dollars for simple visits to these type of facilities. The nurse told me she was «pretty sure» it was covered; when the other nurses came to escort me to the back, I told them I wouldn’t go to the back until it was confirmed I was covered by insurance, the nurse in the front said she checked and that I was definitely covered and they were in my network and not to worry about it.
Once I was seen by a nurse and doctor, they confirmed it was poison ivy and gave me a steroid shot and told me to go to Walgreens and get some cortisone and calamine lotion. I was in the ER for less than 30 minutes; I have no complaints about their service or the professionalism of the medical staff in the back, they were quick and got to the point so that my stay wasn’t too long. When I was finished and leaving the medical area, the nurse encouraged me to go online and leave a review within a certain number of days and that if I did so they would give me a Starbucks gift card. I asked about how much I would be charged and she said they didn’t know, but I had insurance so it shouldn’t be much.
Several days following my visit I was reminded several times by phone and email to leave a review for my gift card, but I didn’t do so because I wanted to wait for the bill to come. The bill didn’t arrive till a month or so later, I was charged $ 2,500 for my under 30 minute stay and the one steroid shot that I was given. The reason for my high bill amount was because the facility was «out of my network», even though the nurse assured me several times that I was fully covered and in the network.
Obviously I was misled when I walked into the ER about my insurance, they knew all along once I walked into the back they could charge whatever they wanted. I am a City of Houston employee and they knew this from my insurance card, they have no issue lying to a public servant or first responder that is working for less money to serve the city their facility is sitting in, $ 2,500 dollars for less than 30 minutes of care. It’s very sad to see how shady this place is for taking advantage of people that are in need of relief, especially someone doing a service for the city. Please go somewhere else if you need medical care and save yourself the heartache in receiving a bill that is completely ridiculous. There is a reason they pressure you to leave reviews before you get the bill.

Complete scam artists. I posted a prior review, but it was mysteriously moved to the «Not Recommended» section so that it wouldn’t show up. Perhaps that is how they are able to maintain 4 stars, because when you read the reviews it’s clear they have taken advantage of many people needing urgent care.
My husband went in for a severe case of poison ivy that had spread to his eye lid, causing it to swell shut. He was given a steroid shot and told to go to Walgreens and buy Cortizone. He inquired several times if our insurance was accepted (he is City of Houston public servant) and was told that it was. We then received a bill for $ 2,500.00.
They keep saying they will contact us to discuss the matter but no one has. We did some research and found articles exposing First Choice’s scam of assuring ones their insurance is accepted while they are in vulnerable need of medical attention and then charge outrageous fees for simple care such as $ 2,500.00 for a shot and being told to go to Walgreens.
We have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and I urge all of you that gave also fallen victim to their scam to do the same.

I’ve been twice. Once when my mother broke her arm, and again when my son swallowed a coin. We were seen very quickly, and the staff was very nice and professional. The doctors call the next day to follow up.
Note: If you receive an x-​ray, they will send a cd home with you with a copy of it. However, the instructions were not sufficient on how to access the information. I had to follow up with a phone call and spoke to a couple of people before I got instructions on the special software I needed to install in order to access the information on the disc. I’m a mac user.

I had to go to FCER on 10÷24÷15. When I entered, I was greeted and handed paperwork to fill out. Before I had finished the paperwork, they put me in a room. They took my insurance and I did not have to pay a penny. They were friendly, fast, competent. The facility was very clean. I would recommend and I would use again for an emergency.

The service at this ER location was fantastic. There was no wait, I was in and out in about an hour. The facility was spotless. The staff was very friendly and hospitable. I would definitely recommend this facility to friends and family.

FCER provided great medical care in July. I had recently had a baby and was having some complications. My on-​call doctor recommended going to the emergency room. Since FCER was right around the corner, we headed straight there. The doctor was able to quickly diagnose the problem and start the treatment right there in the ER. On top of that the doctor was better able to explain the complications than my regular physician. Thanks FCER!

I had to go to FCER for emergency medical care last week. Being completely new to the Houston area, I didn’t know where to go for care, and told my boyfriend to just pick the closest place to our home. I’m so very thankful that we made that decision because my experience at the FCER in Briar Forest was truly the most amazing and gracious experience I could’ve ever asked for.
Dr. Thestrup and his medical team took the time to treat me with great care, and even took time out of their busy schedules to give me wonderful advice about some of the things I have been going through over the last few weeks. They were so very empathetic and kind, and it meant the world to me. Certainly, they didn’t have to do anything like that for me as just a patient they had never seen before, but they did it because they are compassionate. America needs more medical specialists like them — professionals who actually care about the PEOPLE they serve.
In the end, all I have to say is that I thank God for putting them in the right place at the right time for me. Should you need immediate medical care, I strongly urge that you go to the FCER of Briar Forest.

Last night we came in because or 7month old had been uncontrollably crying since 3:00 that afternoon. We knew something was wrong, but just didn’t know what. They immediately brought us back and started examine her. Dr. Schwartz and his team took such great care, time, and gave her a very thorough examination.
They truly looked to find what the problem was rather than just administering a quick fix. As new parents we were so very grateful for that.
Even as we left, Dr. Schwartz saw us out. He said to call them if we had any questions thought out the night, and that he and the nurses and staff would be there to help anytime we needed them.
I cannot give enough praise for how comforting this place was even in the moment of uncertainty as a mom. I would recommend them to anyone who is needing an emergency care treatment!

My husband sprained his ankle and we found First Choice Emergency Room here in Unilocal.It was late at night when we reach there and they were very quick on checking his condition and was able to do an xray immediately. The doctor and the nurses on duty was accommodating. I was with my 2-​year old and he was bored in the room so one of the nurses offered to give jello /​ice candy which is a very nice gesture, surely they empathized on our situation. The receptionist was very pleasant too. We immediately got the result and thankfully no complications. They gave us a cd of the xray so we can show to an ortho if needed. Thanks!

Highly recommended. You will be taken care of very fast. Extremely clean premises, adorable staff and competent doctors. I was there for a rash of hives and the treatment they gave me healed me right away. They also sent me a postcard a few days later to ask how I was doing. If it is an emergency, you will be sure to receive good treatment!

Quick in quick out. Extremely clean and courteous Doctor and staff. State of the art equipment.

Great help and awesome service! Really helpful staff and clean environment.

Horrible experience!!! Please keep driving… Walked in with high fever, 104 for a child. After 30 minutes of paperwork and no feedback, the doc says he is seeing other patients.
Thanks for nothing.

Great, did exactly what they promise to do. Everyone was friendly and put us at ease immediately. We went there for a pony bite for my son, it was nothing really but just wanted it checked out by a doctor and they did exactly that.
Hopefully no one needs to ever go to emergency, but if you do, they are as good as emergency rooms get.

They are not a hospital Emergency room, they are ER. In my OPINION: They like cash and do not like to take insurance. I visit this place one time because I see the good review on Unilocal.But Unilocal is not always right, this place offer a free Star Buck for any patient write a review on their Unilocal,or Google place, which is nothing wrong but you may see that business doing this practice may end up having a lot more good review than they deserve.
Pro:
Doctor are very professional, they spend time to take care you.
Con:
Unlike Hospital, ER like this more likely to take cash, and do not take insurance.
I end up paying $ 250 for a small injured on my face, which I only have to pay about $ 35 co pay if I go to the Hospital.

UPDATE: Just received my itemize bill and all I have to pay is the $ 200 co-​pay which is awesome. I am so grateful that everything was coded properly and my insurance took care of the rest. FCER also sent me a $ 5 Starbucks gift card after my visit and the emergency doctor on duty called to see how I was doing the next day after my original visit and answered all of my questions. This is truly 5 star medical care and it is affordable if you have the right insurance coverage. Thank you FCER for taking such good care of me in my time of need.

I entered this establishment on a Sunday afternoon in extreme amounts of pain. Immediately I was greeted by a receptionist who asked me to fill out the highlighted portions of a new patient paper. The lobby was clean and comfortable, and even the visitor restroom that used was nicely clean.
When I entered my patient room, I was quickly seen by a nurse who measured my vital signs, and asked me questions about my conditions. I could tell that the nurses communicated, and were able to share some new and helpful information with me which was greatly appreciated.
About 20 minutes later the doctor came in. I was a little disappointed that I was asked the same questions again. (Maybe they were fact checking me? Information hadn’t been shared? I have no idea) He was able to quickly share some of his wisdom, which helped me out. They did not waste time in making sure that I was well taken care of.
I stayed in the room for about 3 hours including treatment which was great for me. I once had to wait that long in the waiting room of a hospital’s ER. If I ever need ER help again for myself, or a family member, I would definitely consider revisiting this establishment. I felt respected, comforted, and better in general by the time I left.

Clean. Fast. Great customer service.
Went in On a Saturday evening with food poisoning and was seen right away. Doctors and nurses were extremely patient and kind to me in my belligerent state. They were able to diagnose other issues I was having & they were able to get me transferred to a larger hospital facility. The doctor even called me a few days later to check on me. Wonderful Staff!
Just watch out for that «point system» it can quickly escalate your bill. Luckily I over-​paid and they were able to refund me for the services I didn’t get to use. I Recommend to anyone (who can pay those fees).

And then the bills came…
For reference, I had a burn on my leg (area of a playing card) which was cleaned, antibiotic ointment applied, wrapped and given a pain-​killer. The bills were: «Physician eval/​mngmnt» — $ 388 and «Level 3 Facility charge» — $ 585. Including the $ 100 co-​pay — $ 1000! My insurance (which is quite comprehensive) covered $ 98.
In all, I would have expected $ 1000 for something more serious than what I had. I later realized that despite a Hospital ER being more expensive, my insurance has better negotiated rates with them, hence would cover more and I end up paying less.
Two lessons for me: 1. Go to a hospital ER and 2. The system is broken.

This urgent care are scam artists. I went in with hives all over my body due to an allergic reaction, was given a prescription to fill and that was the end of that. A month later, I get a bill in the mail for over $ 900… and that was WITH INSURANCE. Whatever you do, don’t go there if you’re dying. You’re better off going to the ER. I called and asked why so much and they tell me… well it depends on the severity of the emergency. So who says that hives is a $ 900 severity? Give me a break. I am so done with this place, better off somewhere else.