Food Poisoning vs. Stomach Flu: How to Tell the DifferenceDec 12, 2024Everybody has a stomach problem from time to time. It’s usually not major, but it can be hard to determine what’s wrong. Food poisoning and stomach flu are problems many people deal with, but how do you know if you have one or the other?Continue reading →
What Is the Best Treatment for a Severe Headache?Nov 04, 2024Millions of people worldwide deal with headaches. The head pain might be just a mild acute annoyance or a severe, debilitating problem. If your headache is severe, what can you do to get relief? We can help.Continue reading →
What Should I Do If My Nausea Won't Resolve on Its Own?Oct 18, 2024Nausea is a symptom of many different conditions and is often manageable with proper home care. But if the problem doesn’t go away, or gets worse, you need to know what to do next. Continue reading →
4 Benefits of IV InfusionsSep 11, 2024Intravenous therapy has been around for a long time and is still a staple of administering medicine today. There are many advantages to this method over other ways of taking drugs. Read on to find out what they are. Continue reading →
Why Is Sepsis So Dangerous?Aug 12, 2024Your immune system plays a key role in protecting your body, and if it reacts badly to infections, it can lead to sepsis, which can have terrible consequences. Read on to find out more about sepsis and what it does to the body.Continue reading →
How Stroke Risks Differ in Women Compared with MenJul 25, 2024A stroke is a very common and very dangerous form of cardiovascular disease. But the risk for the condition actually differs between men and women. Let’s have a look at those differences and what they can mean for your health. Continue reading →
How Airplane Travel Impacts Your Body, and Tips for Staying HealthyJun 24, 2024Airplanes are an amazing way to travel, cutting travel time and taking you to faraway places thousands of feet above ground. But do you know how this mode of transportation affects your body? Read on to find out how to stay healthy in flight.Continue reading →
5 Signs You're Chronically DehydratedMay 15, 2024Your body needs water to survive, and not getting enough can lead to a range of problems that endangers your health. Persistent problems with lack of water are especially dangerous, so let’s look at the signs you may be dealing with.Continue reading →
What To Do Immediately After a Snake BiteApr 18, 2024There are many different types of snake in America, and thousands of people deal with bites from them every year. If a snake bites you, you need to know what to do next. Here’s what you should do. Continue reading →
When Is an Allergic Reaction an Emergency?Mar 02, 2024Allergies can come from a wide variety of sources, but while irritating, they’re not often a health risk — until they are. Read on to learn when allergic reactions are cause for alarm. Continue reading →
How to Eat for Reduced Diarrhea SymptomsFeb 08, 2024Diarrhea is a short-term problem that affects millions of people for different reasons. There are certainly medications to treat this illness, but there are also dietary changes that can help reduce symptoms.Continue reading →
5 Ways to Prevent Falls After Age 60Jan 10, 2024Each year falls cause around 32,000 deaths in the US. The repercussions of falls among older adults can be dramatic: dependency, fractures, and even psychological trauma. Adopt these simple safety measures to reduce such accidents. Continue reading →
How to Plan a COVID-Safe Gathering with Vulnerable AdultsDec 11, 2023The holidays are around the corner, and so are home gatherings. How can you protect yourself from COVID-19, especially when vulnerable adults attend? Here’s how you can maintain safety without sacrificing enjoyment.Continue reading →
When Should I Seek Medical Care for Nausea?Nov 14, 2023Are you suffering from nausea and feeling sick to your stomach? Experience fast relief and improved well-being at Houston Medical ER. Our team of expert physicians and registered nurses specialize in treating nausea and its root causes.Continue reading →
7 Incredible Benefits of IV InfusionsOct 10, 2023IV infusion is a game-changing treatment that delivers essential fluids, nutrients, and medication directly into your bloodstream. Discover the transformative benefits of IV therapy and the secret to optimizing your health.Continue reading →
These Animals May Carry RabiesSep 01, 2023Discover which animals can potentially transmit rabies and learn how to respond in the event of a bite. We provide effective treatment for animal bites, ensuring smooth healing and minimizing the risk of infection. Read more about rabies here.Continue reading →
How Is a Stroke Treated?Aug 07, 2023Learn the signs of stroke to act F.A.S.T. and save a life. Discover how our emergency room is saving lives with rapid stroke treatment. From speedy diagnoses to expert care, we make every second count. Continue reading →
The Importance of HydrationJul 01, 2023Proper hydration addresses a wide range of issues, such as headaches, hangovers, and even boosting athletic performance. It even keeps you healthy and prevents infection. Learn more here.Continue reading →
Will My Flu Symptoms Go Away on Their Own?Jun 01, 2023Although there is no cure for the flu, several natural remedies can help alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness. Read on to find out when to seek medical attention for your flu symptoms.Continue reading →
Understanding the Different Types of HeadachesMay 01, 2023Headaches can throw a wrench into your day-to-day routine and make it tough to focus on anything else. Whether you've got tension headaches or migraines, our expert physicians can help you get the relief you need. Continue reading →
The Dangers of HypotensionApr 05, 2023Hypotension can be a real danger, but with vigilance and the right care plan, it doesn't have to take over your life. Read on to discover why diagnosing and treating hypotension is so important. Continue reading →
I Got Bit By a Dog — What Should I Do Now?Mar 09, 2023If a dog bites you, it’s time to seek medical care, no matter how minor (or severe) the bite may be. Here are the steps you should take to heal quickly and reduce your risk of infection if a dog — or any animal — bites you.Continue reading →
Are You Experiencing One of These Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction?Feb 14, 2023Allergic reactions occur when your immune system attacks harmless substances, viewing them as foreign. Pollen, animal dander, and food are common allergens. Allergic reactions range from mild to life-threatening. Here’s what to watch out for.Continue reading →
What's Causing My Recurring Kidney Stones?Jan 13, 2023If you’ve had painful kidney stones, you definitely don’t want them again. To stop kidney stones from recurring, it helps to know the causes and the dietary changes you should make.Continue reading →
When Your Cough Is SeriousDec 07, 2022Coughing can be harmless, serious, acute, or chronic. If it doesn't improve after a week or two, or if you have other symptoms such as high fever, seek medical care. Continue reading →
When Does Vomiting Need Medical Attention?Nov 01, 2022Vomiting has numerous triggers ranging from the flu to heart attacks, but it often has harmless causes. So how do you know when to seek medical attention for yourself or your children? Read more here.Continue reading →
Your First Steps After a Car AccidentOct 01, 2022Even though car accidents can be scary, staying calm and taking the right steps afterward can significantly affect how things turn out. Here’s how to prepare before a car accident and what you should do afterward.Continue reading →
4 Things IV Infusions Can Do for YouSep 01, 2022Do you need help with nausea, pain, illness, or dehydration? IV infusions deliver medications, nutrients, and fluids directly into your bloodstream for fast absorption. Houston Medical ER offers IV infusions without an appointment. Continue reading →
Lesser-Known Issues You Can Go to the ER ForAug 01, 2022When is it necessary to seek urgent care, and when can symptoms wait? We treat many lesser-known, less critical issues in the emergency room without an appointment. Read more about some of the conditions we treat at Houston Medical ER.Continue reading →
When Is Diarrhea Cause for Concern?Jul 01, 2022Everyone has diarrhea at some point, but when does it become dangerous? You can usually treat diarrhea at home, but you may need emergency care if you are unable to control the condition.Continue reading →
How To Recognize the Signs of a Broken Bone EmergencyJun 01, 2022Broken bones occur for many reasons. You may feel pain or swelling or hear a snapping noise, but sometimes it’s difficult to know if you’ve broken a bone. Here’s what you should know about broken bone emergencies.Continue reading →
When Does Nausea and Vomiting Require a Trip to the ER? May 12, 2022Vomiting is a common issue we treat at Houston Medical ER, but how do you know when to visit the emergency room? You can usually treat nausea and vomiting at home, but you may need to visit the ER if symptoms don't improve. Continue reading →
Dog Bites 101: What Every Parent Should KnowApr 12, 2022Most children want to pet any dog they see. But when stressed, dogs may bite — even your own dog. Unfortunately, children are often the victims of dog bites. Find out what you need to do for a dog bite. Continue reading →
When Should I Visit a Pain Management Doctor?Mar 03, 2022Chronic pain has to start somewhere, whether it is something as simple as having bad posture at a work desk or leaning forward causing strain on your neck.Continue reading →
Stomach PainFeb 06, 2022Everyone experiences stomach pain at some point. The pain can be a cramping sensation that leaves you curled up in a fetal position, or a dull, intermittent ache that comes and goes.Continue reading →
Coronary Heart DiseaseFeb 06, 2022Heart disease is a catch-all phrase for a variety of conditions that affect the heart's structure and function.Continue reading →
What Is Parainfluenza?Jan 09, 2022Parainfluenza refers to a group of viruses called human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs). There are four viruses in this group. Each one causes different symptoms and illnesses.Continue reading →
Symptoms and Illnesses of ParainfluenzaJan 09, 2022Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) commonly cause upper and lower respiratory illnesses in infants, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems, but anyone can get infected.Continue reading →
Bacteria vs VirusesDec 07, 2021Bacteria and viruses are too tiny to be seen by the naked eye, can cause similar symptoms and are often spread in the same way, but that's where the similarities end.Continue reading →
Why Are We Not Surprised?Nov 15, 2021By Kevin Herrington Board Member of My Emergency My Choice, President of Altus Healthcare, MBA and Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives. The Big Insurance Lobby is Finding New Ways To Underpay For Your Care.Continue reading →
UnitedHealth Is Grabbing Massive Amounts of Health Data In A Monopolistic MergerNov 05, 2021Posted Originally by HEALTHCAREDIVE as Controversial UnitedHealth-Change tie-up gets new deadline for DOJ reviewContinue reading →
Medical Claim Denials RevealedAug 26, 2021My Emergency My Choice: Medical Claim Denials Revealed For most people, one of the most stressful and taxing moments of their lives is to find themselves in a medical emergency.Continue reading →
The Prudent Layperson Standard RevealedJul 29, 2021My Emergency My Choice: The Prudent Layperson Standard Revealed On your way to dinner with a friend, you start to feel a numbness in your leg and a slight pain in your back.Continue reading →
EOBs RevealedJul 22, 2021My Emergency My Choice: EOBs Revealed Months after receiving emergency medical treatment, you are welcomed with an unassuming letter from your healthcare provider. Nothing to worry about, you receive mail from them all the time.Continue reading →
Protecting Patients and Their RightsJul 15, 2021My Emergency My Choice: Protecting Patients and Their Rights My Emergency My Choice has and always will protect the Prudent Layperson Standard, however there are many other hurdles and practices that insurers have used to put profits over patients that doContinue reading →
Sustainable Insurance Profits v. The Prudent Layperson: A Battle That Could Cost Your LifeJun 04, 2021Eric McLaughlin Board Member of My Emergency My Choice and Physician Partner and Manager Elite Medical Center Sustainable Insurance Profits v. The Prudent Layperson: A Battle That Could Cost Your LifeContinue reading →
Caught Blue-HandedApr 26, 2021Kevin Herrington Board Member of My Emergency My Choice and President at Altus Lumberton Hospital Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Fined Millions For Denying & Deceiving Patients about Legitimate Emergency Care.Continue reading →
Now is the Time for Texas Legislators to Act on Behalf of Texas Patients and Their FamiliesMay 15, 2019Rhonda Sandel Board President, Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (TAFEC) Now is the time for Texas legislators to act on behalf of Texas patients and their familiesContinue reading →
How Texas Legislators Are Fighting to Protect Patients’ Rights and Access to Life-savingMay 06, 2019Eric McLaughlin M.D.Board Member, My Emergency + My Choice How Texas Legislators are fighting to protect patients’ rights and access to life-saving emergency care | By Eric McLaughlin, M.D., Board Member, Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency CenterContinue reading →
Calling Surprise Billing by its Real Name—Surprise Under-coverage and UnderpaymentApr 29, 2019By Okem Okpara M.D., Member, Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (TAFEC) Calling Surprise Billing by its Real Name—Surprise Under-coverage and Underpayment from Insurance CompaniesContinue reading →
How the Texas Legislature Can Fulfill “Our Promise to Patients” This SessionApr 23, 2019By Rhonda Sandel CEO of Texas Emergency Care Center and board president of the Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (TAFEC) Expand access to care through Texas’ freestanding emergency centersContinue reading →
How the Texas Legislature Can Fulfill “Our Promise to Patients” This SessionApr 16, 2019By Eric McLaughlin M.D. & Board Member, Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (TAFEC) How the Texas Legislature can fulfill “our promise to patients” this sessionContinue reading →
When Outdated Information Has the Potential to Cost Texans’ Their LivesApr 11, 2019By Carrie de Moor, M.D., CEO Code 3 Emergency Room and Urgent Care & Board Member, Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (TAFEC) When Outdated Information Has the Potential to Cost Texans’ Their LivesContinue reading →
Texas ER Patients: Here’s the Truth Behind “In-network” Vs. “Out-of-network”Apr 01, 2019By Carrie de Moor, M.D., CEO Code 3 Emergency Room and Urgent Care & Board Member, Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (TAFEC) Texas ER patients: Here’s the truth behind “In-network” vs. “Out-of-network”Continue reading →
Texas, Defending the Prudent Layperson Standard is a Matter of Life and DeathMar 25, 2019By Rhonda Sandel, Board President Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (TAFEC) Learn More About The Prudent Layperson Standard Texas, Defending the Prudent Layperson Standard is a Matter of Life and DeathContinue reading →
The Surprising Truth About Surprise BillingMar 20, 2019By Lon Young, M.D., FAAEM, Chief Medical Officer CapRock Hospital The Surprising Truth About Surprise Billing By Lon Young, M.D., FAAEM, Chief Medical Officer, CapRock HospitalContinue reading →
The Economic Value of Freestanding Emergency CentersMar 12, 2019By Rob Morris Complete Care The Economic Value of Freestanding Emergency Centers By Rob Morris, CEO, Complete CareContinue reading →
If You Think You’re Having a Medical Emergency, Remember the Importance of the “Golden Hour”Mar 04, 2019By Dr. Lonnie Schwirtlich Physicians Premier Emergency Room In emergency medicine, the “Golden Hour” is the first hour after a medical emergency begins.Continue reading →
Knowing the Difference Between “I’m Not Feeling Well” and “This is a Medical Emergency”Feb 26, 2019By Dr. Lon K. Young, MD, FAAEM, Chief Medical Officer CapRock Hospital Every one of us is unique. And while that makes life interesting and adds variety to the world, it represents a challenge for physicians. Continue reading →
“…Waiting is the Hardest Part”Feb 18, 2019By Dr. Edward Wright Prestige Emergency Room To borrow a line from one of many Tom Petty’s great songs: “The waiting is the hardest part.” The reality is simple: nobody enjoys waiting.Continue reading →
Consider Your Heart Health This Valentine’s Day…and Don’t Skip a Beat!Feb 12, 2019By Dr. Lonnie Schwirtlich Physicians Premier Emergency Room Consider Your Heart Health this Valentine’s Day…and Don’t Skip a Beat!Continue reading →
Texans Deserve Increased Access to Emergency CareFeb 05, 2019By Carrie De Moor MD, FACEP CEO, Code 3 Emergency Partners Should your insurance provider cover your ER visit? It’s a simple question, yet one that increasingly has no easy answer for consumers.Continue reading →
What is a Health Insurance “Junk” Plan?Jan 31, 2019By Rhonda Sandel CEO, Texas Emergency Care Centers, and Board President, TAFEC When you sign up for an insurance plan, you are entering into a contract with a health insurance company.Continue reading →
Watch Out, Texas—Patient “Steering” is Dangerous and It’s Happening HereJan 31, 2019By Eric McLaughlin, M.D., TAFEC Board Member, and Richard Yount, CEO, Patients Emergency Room Steer (verb): to control the course of, to guide by mechanical meansContinue reading →
What is the Prudent Layperson Standard and Why Should it Matter to You?Jan 31, 2019By Rhonda Sandel, Board President, Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (TAFEC)Continue reading →
The Law is on Your SideJan 31, 2019Post by Kevin Herrington, MBA FACHE, Altus Emergency Centers The policy is so outrageous and dangerous to the public, that it has even reached the United States Senate. As reported by CBS News, Claire McCaskill, while a Senator from Missouri...Continue reading →
What is Anthem Blue Cross – Blue Shield Doing to Patients?Jan 31, 2019Post by Kevin Herrington, MBA FACHE, Altus Emergency Centers Last year, Anthem started notifying its policyholders in certain parts of the country, that if their ER visits end with a diagnosis for something that isn’t considered an emergency...Continue reading →
Local Hospitals Explain Why Online Pricing Isn’t Always AccurateJan 17, 2019BRYAN, Tex. (KBTX) Since the beginning of the new year, hospitals are required by law to list standard prices online. The new law is meant to give patients easier access to the already public prices.Continue reading →
Freestanding ERs Seeking Medicare and Medicaid RecognitionJan 05, 2019January 5, 2019 BASTROP, Texas (Nexstar) — Texas is home to more than 200 independent, freestanding emergency centers.Continue reading →
Don’t Fall Prey to Big Insurance Company Fear Mongering TechniquesJan 01, 2019Post by Kevin Herrington, MBA FACHE, Altus Emergency Centers A study from the Doctor Patient Rights Project (DPRP) has revealed a disturbing trend amongst large insurance companies.Continue reading →
Insurers Spark Blowback by Reducing Emergency Room CoverageJun 12, 2018June 12, 2018 | By Renuka Rayasam and Paul Demko | Politico Health plans intent on driving down costs are zeroing in on emergency room visits — one of the biggest drivers of medical inflation but a category of care that’s seldom been subject to denials.Continue reading →
New Blue Cross Blue Shield Policy Could Cost You on Emergency VisitsMay 23, 2018May 23, 2018 | by Christian Flores | CBS Austin News When it comes to emergencies, you don’t have time to second guess, but that might change when a new policy by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas starts in June.Continue reading →
Blue Cross Blue Shield Faces Backlash from Texas DoctorsMay 08, 2018May 8, 2018 | By Max Gorden | Spectrum News Austin Doctors are criticizing Texas’ largest health insurance provider for a controversial new billing process.Continue reading →
The Struggles of Negotiating with Health Insurers in TexasApr 27, 2017By Rhonda Sandel CEO, Texas Emergency Care Centers, and Board President, TAFEC April 25, 2017 | TribTalk In the discussion over escalating health care costs, providers often get the blame. But what’s happening behind the scenes tells a different story.Continue reading →