How To Find A Houston Urologist To Treat You No Matter What Insurance You Have
In this guide, I’m going to show you how to find a Houston urologist.
If you have ever had a bladder problem you know exactly how painful this can be. The lower abdominal pain, back pain, and pelvic pressure can be extremely unpleasant. If you are suffering from similar symptoms a urologist may be able to help you.
Hi, I’m Nick Bryant the founder of HoustonCaseManagers.com, where we help readers and medical professionals connect to pain-relieving resources like a Houston urologist in this case!
Today I’m going to show you how to find a urologist in Houston to treat you no matter your insurance. Whether you have Medicare, employer health insurance or you’re uninsured there are options for you.
Before showing you how to find a provider to help, let’s first go over some of the basics of urology to ensure this is the type of doctor you need.
What Is A Urologist?
A urologist is a doctor who specializes in examining and diagnosing anything relating to the urinary system, including the bladder, kidneys, urinary tract, genital organs, and reproductive systems.
What Conditions Does A Urologist Treat?
Common conditions that a urologist can treat are:
- Kidney Stones – This is a buildup of minerals and salts that will harden inside your kidneys. These “pebbles” can result in pain when trying to pass the stone. if medication and water do not help you to pass a kidney stone, then a visit to a Houston urologist may be needed.
- Prostate Cancer – This is a cancer in a man’s prostate. Prostate cancer is slow growing, so if you catch it soon enough you increase your chances of a full recovery.
- Vasectomy – This permanent procedure is done to prevent men from procreating. It is a 20 minute procedure that blocks sperm from leaving the testicles. In this guide you will find instructions on locating vasectomy doctors in Houston.
- Erectile Dysfunction – As men age so do the the chances for erectile dysfunction.
- Low Testosterone – Low T can lead to a decrease in fatigue, your sex drive, muscle mass and cause erectile dysfunction. Many urologist in Houston help men with low testosterone with a treatment called replacement therapy
- Urinary Tract Infections – A UTI occurs when bacteria enters your urethra and makes its way to the bladder. This can lead to pain urinating. Antibiotics can solve a UTI.
- Male Infertility – This can make it difficult to conceive a child. Low sperm count can lead to male infertility.
- Overactive Bladder – This results to frequent urination throughout the day. A Houston urologist can asses you for overactive bladder and provide treatment.
What Happens During My First Appointment with a Urologist?
Your first appointment with a urologist will involve them asking questions to learn more about your condition.
Based on this information your doctor will be able to exam and review your urinary tract to make a more detailed diagnosis or ask for a urine sample.
Your urologist may also perform an examination of your anus or genitals to look for signs of infections, blockages, or masses. These are the most common areas of concern and they are characterized by discomfort, irritation, or swelling.
What Type of Tests Can a Urologist Perform?
These diagnostic procedures help to determine if patients have kidney problems that require further evaluation and possibly surgery. Some urinary conditions, such as those that involve the kidneys or bladder, require a biopsy. These tests can help to determine the cause of the condition and to identify the best possible treatment option.
How Does A Urologist Treat A UTI?
In addition to treating UTI, urologists perform a variety of procedures to prevent further infection in the urinary system.
These treatments can include the use of antibiotics to kill bacteria; the use of anti-fungal medications to reduce the chances of re-infection; and surgical excision of the infected area.
A UTI can lead to a bladder infection, kidney infection, and inflammation of the prostate, which requires immediate treatment.
How To Find A Urologist In Houston Who Accepts Medicare
There are 3 ways to find a Houston urologist who accepts Medicare insurance, which are:
- Visit Medicare.com (original Medicare)
- Call the customer service number on back of your Medicare card (original Medicare)
- Contact a Houston health care system (original Medicare)
- Google an urologist near you (original Medicare)
- Contact your managed Medicare plan (Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part C clients)
Visit Medicare.com
The first method of finding an urologist in Houston who accepts Medicare is to visit the Medicare.gov.
Here you can search for a doctor in your city/zip code. You can also use this tool to find providers like doctors, hospitals, or nursing homes that accept Medicare.
Use Your Medicare Card
Another way to find a Houston urologist who accepts Medicare is to call the number (800.633.4227) on the back of your “red, white, and blue card”. This is a customer service number that you can call to receive multiple doctors in your zip code within the specialty of your choice.
Houston Hospital Systems That Offer Urology Care
If there is a Houston hospital system that you trust, consider searching for a urologist in their network. Since Medicare is accepted by most medical providers there is a good chance that the hospital system of your choice will be willing to work with your insurance.
Here is a short list of Houston hospitals that offer urology care.
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center – The MD Anderson Urology department combines their expertise in oncology and urology to offer one of the best genitourinary cancer treatment programs in Houston. For more information about treatment options you can contact them at 713.792.3250 or visit the MD Anderson website.
- Houston Methodist – Urology treatment is offered at Methodist hospitals all over the Houston area. Methodist treats both men and women, however, they specialize in treating many conditions that affect a man’s reproductive organs. Conditions include vasectomies, erectile dysfunction, bladder cancer, prostate cancer and more. Contact Methodist at 713.790.3333 or visit their website for more information.
- St. Luke’s Houston – St. Lukes offers urinary tract treatment to men and women via their hospitals in The Woodlands and Sugar Land. Urology conditions that they specialize in include circumcision, urologic surgery, testicular cancer, kidney stones, UTIs, incontinence and more. Call St. Lukes at 936.266.2668 or visit their website for more information.
- Memorial Hermann Hospital – Hermann treats conditions like kidney stones, bladder cancer, incontinence, and more. To find a Memorial Hermann urologist visit their website.
- HCA Houston Healthcare – HCA specializes in urological care, urogynecology, and urologic robotic surgery. They offer treatment at Houston HCA hospitals in Webster, South Houston, and Spring, TX. Call them at 281.440.1000 or visit the HCA Houston Healthcare website for more information on urology treatment.
Google Search “Urologist In Houston”
The last way to find a local urologist who accepts original Medicare is to use Google.
To do this, you simply need to type the words: “urologist in houston” into the search bar and you will be shown a listing of providers.
Because most doctors accept Medicare, there is a good chance that you will find an urologist that accepts your insurance by doing a quick Google search. To be on the safe side you still need to directly ask the questions “do you accept Medicare”?
Using Medicare Advantage To Find A Urologist In Houston
Medicare Advantage (also known as Medicare Part C or MA Plans) is a Medicare plan that is managed by a private insurance company.
Editor’s note: Companies like Aetna, Humana, Cigna HealthSprings, United Healthcare, and Wellcare are examples of companies who offer Medicare Advantage plans in Houston.
Medicare Advantage Plan Networks
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan you will need to contact your specific company, because your plan likely has a network of doctors, clinics, and hospitals that they exclusively work with. If you were to visit a urologist outside of your plan’s network, your insurance company may not cover the cost of services.
Medicare Advantage HMO vs PPO
Another reason to contact your Medicare Advantage is to find a doctor within your HMO or PPO network.
An insurance company like Aetna can offer both HMO or PPO Medicare Advantage plans.
HMO plans have a specific network of “preferred providers” that they work with. If you see a doctor outside of this network, your insurance may not cover your cl
Also HMO plans require that you obtain a referral from your primary care doctor before you see a specialist like an urologist. If you have an HMO plan and see an urologist without a referral from your doctor, your insurance company could deny your claim.
PPO plans on the other hand allow you to see doctors outside of their “preferred providers”. It is worth noting that if you have a PPO and visit a doctor or clinic outside of the prefered providers list your services will be more expensive.
Because of these nuances within Medicare Advantage it is important to contact your specific plan when searching for an urologist in Houston. Here is how you would do that…
3 Steps To Finding A Urologist That Accepts Your Medicare Advantage Plan
Step #1. Call Your Specific Insurance Plan
To find a Houston urologist that accepts your health insurance plan you simply need to call the number on the back of your Medicare Advantage card. This means your Aetna, Humana, Cigna, or United Healthcare card.
Step #2. Ask For A Urologist In Your Zip Code
After calling your Medicare Advantage plan’s customer service number you will then ask for an urologist in your zip code. The customer service representative will provide you with listing doctors in your area.
Step #3. Call Your Listing To See If They Are Accepting New Patients
From that point you will need to call each urologist to see if they are accepting new patients. Your insurance company can provide you a listing of in-network urologists, however, they cannot tell you if they are accepting new patients.
The main take away from all this is:
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, contact your specific insurance company to find a listing of Houston urologists that are in their network.
Failing to do this could lead to your insurance company denying
Find A Houston Urologist That Accepts Your Employer Health Insurance
If you have health insurance through your job, you certainly can find an urologist that accepts your coverage.
Your search for a urologist starts by calling the customer service number on the back of your card. Do this and ask for an urologist near your zip code and they will provide you with a handful of doctors to contact.
Contact each doctor on your list to see if any are accepting new patients. Although that doctor may very well be in your health insurance’s network they may not be accepting new patients. Call them over the phone to confirm this to be on the safe side.
In the next section we will talk about health insurance networks and why they are important when it comes to choosing a doctor.
HMO vs PPO
Like Medicare Advantage Plans, employer health insurance plans also come in the form of HMOs (Health Maintenance Organization) and PPOs (Preferred Provide Organization).
The reason it is important to know whether you have an HMO or PPO is because the networks are different. Here is what I mean…
An HMO has a specific network of doctors that they cover the cost of services for. If you visit a doctor outside of your HMO network, your insurance plan will not cover those charges.
A PPO on the other hand allows you to see doctors outside of its network of “preferred providers” however, you will pay more for going outside of the network.
Another difference between HMOs and PPOs is HMO’s require a doctor’s referral to see a specialist, such as an urologist. If you see a urologist without being referred by your primary care doctor, your health insurance plan could deny your claim.
If you have a PPO plan you do not need a referral to have your visit to an urologist covered by your insurance plan.
Find Houston Urologists That Accept Medicaid
If you have Medicaid there are two ways to find urologists who accept your coverage:
- Use the TMHP Provider Search
- Contact Your Medicaid managed care plan
TMHP Provider Search
The TMHP or Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership tool can be used to find doctors who accept Medicaid.
You can use these options to quickly find a Medicaid doctor who treats urology.
- Select your Medicaid plan – Medicaid plans are divided into Traditional, Star, StarPlus, StarKids, etc. You can use this drop down menu to select your specific Medicaid plan.
- Choose your provider type – Here you can select a primary care doctor, hospital, mental health facility, etc.
- Select the location of your provider – You can find a provider near you based on the zip code or city.
Contact Your Medicaid Managed Plan
The second way to find a urologist in Houston is to search according to your specific Medicaid managed plan.
Managed Medicaid plans in Texas breakdown to:
- Star Medicaid
- Star Kids
- Star Plus
- CHIP
Star Medicaid
Star is a Medicaid plan that covers children and pregnant women.
Below are the healthcare companies which fall under the Star Medicaid Plan. These plans cover residents in the counties of Austin, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Matagorda, Montgomery, Waller, and Wharton.
- Amerigroup – 800.600.4411
- Community Health Choice – 888.760.2600 or 713.295.2294
- Molina – 866.449.6849
- Texas Children’s Health Plan – 866.959.2555
- United Healthcare Community Plan – 866.411.1337
Star Kids
Star Kids covers children 18 and under who have a disability.
Below are the healthcare companies which fall under the Star Kids Medicaid Plan. These plans cover residents in the counties of Austin, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Matagorda, Montgomery, Waller, and Wharton.
- Amerigroup – 844.756.4600
- Texas Children’s Health Plan – 800.659.5764
- United Healthcare – 877.761.2157
Star Plus
Star Plus is a Medicaid plan that covers adults over 65 years old who have a disability.
Below are the healthcare companies which fall under the Star Plus Medicaid Plan for this region.
Editor’s note: The benefits for Star Plus members who are in a nursing home will differ from those who are not. When you call the customer service numbers below be sure to specify whether you are in a nursing home or not.
- Amerigroup – 800.600.4441
- Molina – 866.449.6849
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan – 888.887.9003
CHIP
CHIP is a Medicaid plan that covers the children of working parents.
Below are the healthcare companies which fall under the CHIP Medicaid Plan for this region.
- Amerigroup – 800.600.4441
- Community Health Choice – 888.760.2600
- Molina – 866.449.6849
- Texas Children’s Health Plan – 877.543.7669
- United Healthcare – 877.380.2996
Harris Health System (Urology Treatment For The Uninsured In Houston)
Harris Health System is a good option for individuals seeking a urologist in Houston who are either low-income or uninsured.
To see a urologist in this network, you will first need to apply for the Gold Card. This is an insurance plan that is accepted at Harris Health System clinics. You can apply for the Gold Card by completing an application and delivering to a Harris Health eligibility center.
The following Harris Health Clinics offer low-cost urology care in Houston:
- El Franco Lee – 8901 Boone Rd, Houston, TX 77099 – 281.454.0500
- Danny Jackson – 5503 N. Fry Rd, Katy, TX 77449 – 713.982.7071
For more information about the Harris Health Gold Card you can call their eligibility line at 713.566.6509.
Houston FQHC Clinics That Provide Urology Care
The last option for finding a Houston urologist is visiting a local FQHC or federally qualified health center. These clinics provide another option of those who are uninsured in Houston or considered low-income.
Editor’s note: An FQHC is a community clinic that is supported by government funding. These clinics are typically located in low-income areas to provide access to medical care for uninsured individuals.
The following Houston FQHC clinics offer urology care to patients.
- IBN Sina – This is a low cost clinic that serves patients whether they are insured or not. If you need to find a urologist in Houston to treat any problems you are having with your organs IBN Sina can help. They have 4 clinics in Houston to choose from.
For more listings of Houston clinics that may provide urology services see our guide titled 15 Low Cost Medical Clinics In Houston For The Uninsured.
Conclusion
As you can see there are lots of ways to find a Houston urologist whether you have private health insurance, Medicare, or you’re uninsured.
Which options do you think will work for you?
If you still have questions regarding urology care in Houston, let me know by leaving a comment and I will personally respond.
Similar Articles That May Be Of Interest To You:
- How To Find An Endocrinologist In Houston
- How To Apply For Harris Health Gold Card
- 15 Low Cost Houston Medical Clinics That Treat The Uninsured
Nick Bryant is the author of Understanding Healthcare Is Half The Battle and a Senior Counselor with 13+ years of experience working in community health and mental health. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching WWE on Friday nights, and working toward a Google Data Analytics certification. If you have additional questions about community resources or government assistance programs, simply leave a comment below and he will follow up as soon as possible.
