Insurance
Information
Priority Emergency Center honors most private and commercial insurance plans. We also offer transparent pricing and payment options for patients without insurance. Our goal is to work with you and your insurance to avoid unexpected bills.
We Accept
Most Private & Commercial Plans
Government Insurance
Not Accepted
Priority Emergency Center does not accept government-issued insurance plans. Patients covered under the following plans are required to pay for services at the time of their visit.
Medicare
Payment is required at the time of service for all Medicare patients.
Medicaid
Payment is required at the time of service for all Medicaid patients.
TRICARE
Payment is required at the time of service for all TRICARE patients.
Medicare Advantage
Payment is required at the time of service for all Medicare Advantage plan patients.
Questions about self-pay pricing? Call our team at (737) 423-2300 before your visit. We accept cash, credit cards (Visa, Mastercard), and Workers Compensation.
How Priority Emergency Center Works With Your Insurance
Priority Emergency Center honors most private and commercial insurance plans. We also offer transparent pricing and payment options for patients without insurance. Our goal is to work with you and your insurance to avoid unexpected bills for emergency treatment that should be covered by your plan.
When you arrive, you or a family member will check in and complete all required forms. This helps us process your insurance claims quickly and accurately. At the time of service we will collect any initial payment due, then we will submit claims to your insurance carrier for your emergency department benefits.
After your visit, our billing team will send two claims to your insurance provider: one from the facility and one from the physician who treated you.
Billing Team
Always Here to Help You
Claims Process
Fast & Accurate Submission
Step-by-Step Billing Process
Arrive & Check In
You or a family member will check in and complete all required forms to help us process your insurance claims quickly and accurately.
Initial Payment Collected
At the time of service we will collect any initial payment due, such as your copay, coinsurance, or deductible.
Claims Submitted to Insurance
We submit claims to your insurance carrier for your emergency department benefits immediately after your visit.
Two Separate Claims Sent
Our billing team sends two claims to your insurance: one from the facility and one from the physician who treated you.
You Receive Your EOB
In a few weeks you may receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance — this is not a bill. See section below for details.
In-Network and Out-of-Network Insurance
Priority Emergency Center is not a participating provider in any health benefit plan provider network. However, by law your health insurance plan is required to process emergency services at in-network benefit levels when you have an emergency medical condition.
Our Network Status
Priority Emergency Center is not a participating provider in any health benefit plan provider network.
Your Legal Protection
By law, under current CMS regulations implementing the No Surprises Act (NSA), emergency services provided at an independent/freestanding emergency department (FSED/IFED) must generally be processed using in-network patient cost-sharing levels, even when the facility or provider is out of network.
While our facility is out-of-network and utilizes a standard emergency fee schedule, this higher rate is strictly for insurance billing purposes. We do not balance-bill our patients; you are only responsible for the specific patient-responsibility amount determined and approved by your insurance company.
What Your Visit May Cost
The amount you may owe depends on what your insurance company approves and the terms of your plan. In an emergency setting it is not always possible to know these amounts before your visit.
Copay
A fixed amount you pay for a covered health care service, usually when you receive the service.
Coinsurance
Your share of the costs of a covered health care service, calculated as a percentage of the allowed amount.
Deductible
The amount you owe for health care services before your health insurance begins to pay.
Forms of Payment We Accept
We make payment as easy as possible — multiple options available for all patients.
Most Private & Commercial Insurance Plans
Credit Cards
Visa & Mastercard
Workers Compensation
Cash
Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE are NOT accepted. Patients with these plans are required to pay at the time of service. Call us at (737) 423-2300 for self-pay rates.
Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
In a few weeks after your visit you may receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance company. This is not a bill.
The EOB simply explains what happened with your claim — what was covered, what was not, and what you may owe. Think of it as a summary from your insurance company.
The EOB is NOT a bill. Wait for an actual bill from Priority Emergency Center before making any payment.
The services you received during your emergency visit
The amount your insurance covered for those services
The amount your insurance did not cover and what you may owe
Got Billing Questions?
Our billing team is here to explain your charges, help with insurance claims, and arrange payment plans if needed.
Call (737) 423-2300Have questions about your bill? We will explain your charges, help with insurance claims, and arrange payment plans if needed. Call (737) 423-2300.
Texas Legislative Disclosures
In compliance with Texas state law, Priority Emergency Center is required to post the following official notices. These disclosures are provided for full transparency regarding our facility status, pricing, and insurance handling.
Texas Senate Bill 425
Required Facility and Pricing Notice
In compliance with Senate Bill 425, passed by the Texas Legislature and effective January 1, 2016, Priority Emergency Center provides the following official disclosures for transparency:
Freestanding Status: This location operates independently as a licensed Freestanding Emergency Medical Care Facility.
Pricing and Fees: Our billing rates are comparable to a standard hospital emergency room, and your treatment may include an emergency facility fee.
Network Disclaimer: This facility, along with the individual physicians providing medical care here, may not be participating providers in your specific health benefit plan network.
Separate Billing: Any physician providing medical care at this facility functions independently and may bill you separately from the facility for the professional services rendered.
Texas House Bill 3276
Emergency Insurance Processing Guidelines
Pursuant to the regulatory updates under House Bill 3276, effective September 1, 2017, which modified previous state guidelines, we outline the following requirements regarding insurance handling:
In Network Benefit Levels: If our facility is considered out of network with your particular healthcare plan, federal and state regulations mandate that insurance companies process your emergency room visit at your standard, in network benefit level.
Medicaid Notice: Please be advised that our emergency facility is not currently recognized or accepted by Medicaid. If you would like to support our team in becoming eligible to accept these insurance plans in the future, we encourage you to reach out to your local state legislators.
Texas House Bill 2041
Comprehensive Transparency and Fee Disclosures
In accordance with House Bill 2041, enacted by the Texas Legislature during the 86th Regular Session, we post the following required public notices:
Emergency Facility Classification: Priority Emergency Center is officially licensed and classified as a freestanding emergency medical care facility.
ER Rate Comparability: The rates charged at our location are comparable to a traditional hospital emergency room, and a facility fee may be applied to your total charges.
Out of Network Status: Both the facility and the attending physicians providing your healthcare services may be considered out of network under the patient health benefit plan provider network.
Independent Physician Invoicing: The physician providing your medical care bills independently from the facility, meaning you may receive a separate statement for the doctor's professional medical services.
Billing Dispute Contact Information
If you believe you have received an incorrect or unfair medical bill, you can reach out to the following regulatory authorities to report your concern.
U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Contact CMS directly to learn about your federal protections under the No Surprises Act and other billing regulations.
Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Help Line
Contact TDI to understand your rights under Texas state law and to file a complaint about a medical billing issue.
Emergency Care Access Under EMTALA
Your safety is protected by federal law. No one will ever be turned away from our facility due to their financial situation.
Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA)
This regulation mandates that anyone who comes to our facility requesting emergency care will receive a professional medical screening examination. Furthermore, our emergency department is legally and morally bound to stabilize any individual experiencing a true medical emergency, regardless of their financial situation.
Updates for Our Medicare Community
We remain fully committed to serving every member of our community, including Medicare patients.
Important Update: Following the official conclusion of the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023, private freestanding emergency centers are no longer permitted to process standard Medicare insurance benefits.
Priority Emergency Center remains fully committed to serving our local community and continues to provide immediate emergency evaluations for all individuals.
We offer transparent, discounted self-pay pricing and payment plan options for patients who do not carry private commercial health insurance.
Questions about self-pay options? Call us at (737) 423-2300 before your visit.
Help Support the Emergency Care Improvement Act (H.R. 1694)
We believe that every Medicare recipient deserves permanent, equal access to high-quality emergency medical care close to home.
The bipartisan Emergency Care Improvement Act (H.R. 1694) aims to update federal statutes so that Medicare beneficiaries can permanently utilize their coverage at freestanding emergency centers.
Lawmakers rely on feedback from their communities to make informed policy decisions. If you or a loved one relies on Medicare, we strongly encourage you to contact your local U.S. House Representative.
Our team is here to help you understand your coverage, explain your bill, and walk you through your payment options. Call us anytime.