Direct specialty care practice means we do not accept or bill health insurance for any services rendered specifically by Dr. Johnson. If you have a health savings account, you may use those funds to pay your fees. You will need to confer with your tax professional. You may still use your insurance to pay for services provided by outside vendors for labs, imaging, medications, ancillary fees for surgical procedures and durable medical equipment.

We will accept Traditional Medicare “Red, White & Blue.” However, we will not accept Medicare replacement, advantage plans, or Medicaid.

Yes, that is an option. We now offer annual memberships to provide both value and cost savings for patients who require more frequent visits and in-office procedures. For a flat monthly fee, you will have up to 6 visits per year, 4 steroid injections per year, same day or next day visits for urgent situations. Please see the Services & Pricing page for our current membership rate. Call if you are interested in this option. You may also finance your care via a third party vendor. Please call for more information regarding either option.

A membership will allow a patient to have more accessibility to care at Austin County Orthopedics insofar as making appointments and getting their needs met.

Patients with/that:

• Chronic conditions

• Require frequent visits

• Recurring symptoms

• Arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis or other diagnoses that have symptom flares

• Consistent musculoskeletal care needs, such as student athletes

• Employees of small businesses

There will be incentives provided to membership holders throughout the calendar year as well.

Depending on your insurance plan’s out-of-network coverage, you may be able to submit your visit receipt and receive reimbursement for part of the fees paid to a direct care practice or apply the cost to a health savings account or flexible spending account. It is advisable that you call your insurance company to determine eligibility and requirements for reimbursement prior to your visit. We will be able to provide a receipt of your services, however we do not have the staffing necessary to assist in this process. We also cannot guarantee that your insurance will reimburse any portion of the fees paid to Austin County Orthopedics.

No. Concierge medicine involves a patient paying an annual or monthly fee for 24/7 access to a physician in addition to any deductibles or fees required by their insurance plan. The physician still bills a patient’s insurance company for services rendered. In direct care, the patient pays the doctor directly for services rendered. His or her insurance company is not billed unless they are a Traditional Medicare patient. All other patients pay for services based on the Austin County Fee Schedule.

Possibly. Patients who have insurance with high deductibles or high in-network coinsurance costs and out-of-pocket maximums will likely save money in a direct care model where the fees tend to be lower. It is difficult to predict what the cost differences will be because the visit fees charged by in-network practices are often not transparent and patients are usually unaware of the charge until the bill arrives.

We are not in a network with insurance plans other than Traditional Medicare. According to the Austin County Orthopedics Fee Schedule, we will see anyone regardless of insurance coverage or lack thereof. We will not bill for any services through insurance other than Traditional Medicare (Red, White & Blue).

Yes. We recommend that our patients maintain health insurance coverage at all times in case of catastrophic medical events requiring hospitalization or surgery. We also recommend that our patients maintain regular follow up with their primary care provider.

Yes, absolutely. However, we will always try to get you a better deal if possible with cash payment. If any prior authorizations or peer-to-peer conversations need to be had with your insurance provider, you will incur a fee for those services provided by Dr. Johnson. Please see the Austin County Orthopedic Fee Schedule for details.