Frequently Asked Questions
We know allergy and asthma care can feel overwhelming, so we’ve gathered answers to our patient’s most frequently asked questions. If you don’t see what you need, give us a call — we’d be happy to help.
What insurance do you take?
We generally take most major insurance companies including:
- - Aetna
- - Allegiance
- - Blue Cross Blue Shield
- - Cigna
- - Medicare
- - Community Health Choice
- - Texas Childrens Medicaid
- - Tricare
- - United Healthcare
Please note this is not a guarantee of benefits and we recommend giving us a call if you have questions about coverage.
What hours are you open?
Clinic Hours
MONDAY: 8:00am — 5:00pm
TUESDAY: 10:00am — 6:00pm
WEDNESDAY: 8:00am — 5:00pm
THURSDAY: 8:00am — 6:00pm
FRIDAY: 7:00am — 11:00am
Shot Clinic Hours
No Walk-ins, by appointment only
MONDAY: 7:00am — 4:30pm
TUESDAY: 10:00am — 6:00pm
WEDNESDAY: 8:00am — 10:30am, 1:00pm — 4:30pm
THURSDAY: 7:00am — 10:30am, 1:00pm — 6:00pm
FRIDAY: 7:00am — 10:30am
When is my appointment?
We send out text reminders a few days before your appointment. If you didn’t write down your appointment date and time, give us a call and we’d be happy to help you.
Do you see children and adults?
We see pediatric patients and adults up to 75 years of age.
How do I pay my bill?
There are many ways to settle your bill. Click Pay My Bill at the top of the page, stop by the front desk, or give us a call to pay your balance.
All patients with outstanding balances will receive a text reminder containing a link where you can settle your balance. Timely payment is always appreciated.
Why do I have to wait after my allergy shot appointment?
All allergy shot appointments include a 30 minute wait after your injection for observation. This is because all allergy shots carry a small risk of an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
If a reaction is to occur, it usually happens within the first 30 minutes after an injection, so we like to keep you where there are trained medical professionals on hand.
Why do I need to bring my epinephrine devices to my allergy shot appointment?
Many procedures we perform, including allergy shots, carry a small risk of an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis which is treated with epinephrine. Patients who have a reaction during the 30 minute observation period will be treated with epinephrine kept in the clinic.
However, there is a small but real risk of developing a reaction on the ride home or later in the day and we need to make sure you will have two epinephrine devices with you.
When will my allergy shot vials be ready?
It generally takes us 1-2 weeks to prepare shot vials. We will give you a call and/or send a notification via text to let you know your vials are ready.
How long does the allergy shot process take?
Depending on the treatment plan you chose, the buildup phase of weekly shot appointments could last from 3 to 6 months, after which you enter a five year maintenance period of monthly shot appointments.
Allergy shots sound like a lot of work, are there other options?
If allergy shots sound like a bit of a hassle, we also offer allergy drops (SLIT) which involves one office visit to get started, with the rest of the dosing happening at home.
I’m an adult, can I do OIT?
Absolutely! For adults, OIT has a 91% success rate for all allergens except milk and still has a 61% success rate when you add milk to the equation.
Can someone’s IGE (allergy blood test result) be “too high” for OIT work?
There is some research out there that children with low allergen specific IgEs have an easier time during OIT, but multiple children with allergen-specific IgEs greater than 100 have been successfully treated with OIT.
How long will the OIT process take?
On your first day of the procedure (“Day One”) you or your child will get multiple, increasing doses of the food over approximately 4 hours in our office. You will then come into the clinic every week for about 1 hour to have the dose increased under our watchful supervision. This is called the build-up phase and can take a minimum of 6 months.
Once this is completed, your child will be able to “free-eat” the food they were once allergic to. This means as long as they take their daily dose, they can eat any additional amount of the food throughout the day.
How is the oral immunotherapy program billed and what does it cost?
The Day One procedure is billed as a Rapid Desensitization Visit. Subsequent up-dosing visits are billed as an oral challenge. The actual assignment of patient responsibility and reimbursement varies by insurance plan.
Our office will help provide you with an estimate of what your insurance covers. We always encourage our patients to call their insurance provider to verify their benefits.
OIT sounds like a lot of work, are there other options?
If OIT sound like a bit of a hassle, we also offer allergy drops (SLIT) which involves a buildup phase that only lasts 4-6 weeks, dosing at home and 1-2 office visits per year.
This option does come with a lower amount of immunity than OIT, but it is a popular option with those who want to be protected against accidental ingestion.
If I’m an adult, do I really need a spacer for my inhaler?
Yes! Not using a spacer can cause most of the medication to end up in your mouth and throat, not your lungs. With a spacer, the medication is able to reach the lungs in a much greater amount.
How do I get a refill on my inhaler or my spacer?
Call your pharmacy or buy one at our clinic at a discounted price.
