Austin Emergency Center

So, in the past couple of days I have learned two things; first, if one goes roller skating for the first time in 15 years, one may sprain their wrist, and second, this is the absolute best 24 hour clinic to go to if one does have an injury or sickness!
The staff is knowledgeable and very courteous. There was little to no wait time. The lovely front office woman was kind enough to help me with my intake forms after she asked if I was right handed. I sprained my wrist… AND I just got a follow up call and really needed that.
I would recommend staying as healthy as possible but if you do need emergency care, check here first!

I went there last summer after an accident in which I fell to the ground 12 feet on my head and back.
The one positive thing I have to say was that they seemed kind and attentive while I was there for about 2 hours. But I was not very happy about the quality of care I received. They gave me an ineffective pain killer IV and a CT scan to check for my back. They took my insurance and charged me $ 100 for the visit and said there would be additional charges later. The weren’t kidding! I got slapped with a $ 9,292.00 dollar bill. Yes nearly $ 10,000 for a two hour visit with a CT scan. Yikes! What a ripoff!
My insurance covered roughly half and and I still have around a $ 5,000. dollar bill.
They determined my two middle vertebrae were cracked but I did not need surgery. They only scanned my neck and upper back even though said my lower was back hurt and that I hit my head really hard. They did not take my complaints about my lower back and head seriously.
They sent me home with a prescription and referral to a specialist and said I needed to call these people for follow up treatment.
I called the highlighted doctor on the sheet they gave me but they said they would not accept me as a patient because of the nature of my injury. So I called the Emergency Austin people back to see if they could recommend appropriate follow up care. The woman I spoke to was rude and basically told me they just randomly refer patients based on cards of doctors who drop them off at their location so they could/​would not do anything else for me.
She also told me I would not have this problem if I read all the paper work. Wow… I was like– sorry you highlighted this place and told me call them, sorry I did not read the 10 pages of fine print legalese medical jargon in their bill paperwork. I was like, sorry I m having a hard time with all the language because i just hit my head really hard and am having difficulty focusing on the fine print and poorly worded language. (!!!)
Not to mention, I now have discovered I have damage to my lower back due to disc damage which they did not even take the the time to investigate. Also, I continued to have symptoms of head injury and and am still getting treatment for my lower back, even though my middle vertebrae feel mostly better.
They prescribed a medicine that i don’t tolerate well (hydrocodone), it makes me sick. I even told them that, but they wouldn’t listen to me. Afterwards I had to go to a different doctor to get a prescription for a different pain med which is important because if you are in pain and your bones are injured you can tense up and cause damage to yourself instead of healing.
In summary they changed me almost 10 grand for a two hour visit. I talked with a doctor, sat in bed with a head brace, got a weak morphine IV, got a CT scan of part of my injury, and got prescription for a medicine i did not want, that make me sick and told them that they wouldn’t help me find proper follow up care, dismissed my concerns about injuries I had, and were rude to me when I tried to ask for help.
If you have an injury and need to go to the emergency room, don’t go to this place! You will get poor quality care and you will get ripped off!
If you have questions about my experience there, give me a call!
matt 512 825 1384

I hope I can change this review to a higher rating once they have re-​evaluated my daughter’s case. Very late one Saturday night my daughter saw blood in her urine and was experiencing pain. Having never experienced this before she thought she was seriously ill. She went to Austin Emer. Center. They analyzed a urine sample she talked with the nurse for about five minutes and then a doctor for about 5 minutes. They diagnosed a urinary tract infection and prescribed an antibiotic. She felt better within 24 hours. The care was good but the bill for that was 1,987.47. I just don’t see how that is possible. Because of high deductible insurance her insurance is not covering it and being a college student she cannot afford this absurd amount.

I had a really great experience here. Had a freak accident and needed some stitches put in. I don’t go to the doctor/​ER very often so I just googled ER and this place came up. Went in and experienced 0 wait. The cost charged up front covered future visits as well and all of the staff (especially the doctors) were very proficient and very sweet. Even the APD officer stationed there was exceptionally nice!
Can’t speak for grave injuries/​wounds but if you just need to get fixed up I would highly recommend this place over a typical ER as the attention they can give you here is much greater.
Thanks again!!!

I went to this emergency center twice. I had to get sutures in between the webbing of my left thumb and index finger. While getting the suture the nurse did a great job in at first numbing the area and then stitching it. When I went there again to get the sutures off after 2 weeks then they removed the sutures without numbing the area. They even said they are out of numbing agent. One of the nurses was so rude that she tried fighting me to get the sutures off at her own will and when I didn’t relent she cursed me that I keep these stitches on. Finally they got it off by trying 3 nurses and cutting it out without numbing the area and causing pain. In short, I won’t go there again and I don’t recommend this place.

My infant daughter had a fever of over 103 so I rushed over here as it was closer than the hospital ER. Wrong decision. There was no one waiting — as I had hoped.
I handed my insurance card to the reception and they wanted a bunch of forms filled out before seeing a very sick little girl. I insisted on please seeing a doctor while they could enter all the info on the card. No. «We have procedures».
I was not exactly in a position to fill out a bunch of forms while holding a crying, sick infant and saw these «procedures» very clearly for what they are — cash before care, profit before people.
Grabbed my card back and ran out of there to get the care she needed fast.
The name of the place includes the word «emergency» in it. I don’t think their priority is patient care but getting paid and they certainly didn’t treat the emergency as an emergency.
Over at the very busy hospital ER she was seen in 10 minutes with just her name, my signature, and my SSN. There were a bunch of forms to fill there too but they took care of that after addressing the emergency.
Bad business model. Never again.

Almost a year since my visit but a friend’s recent trip to this ER prompted me to submit my own review from my experience last October.
I had recently moved to Austin from Maryland and, while unpacking, sliced the palm of my hand open pretty deeply with a pocket knife. My girlfriend took me to the urgent care clinic up the road and we ended up leaving fed up with waiting and waiting while my hand was steadily bleeding and looking worse.
So we ventured to Austin Emergency Center and were pleasantly surprised to be taken back immediately (at an ER!?) and see a doctor. What was also awesome was that they did not put stitches in my hand. I specifically asked them, if it was at all possible, to avoid putting stitches in as I absolutely hate them. As painful as the cleaning and gluing process was, my hand was put back together and I don’t even have a scar now!
I did have to pay a higher copay as this is an ER but to me it was totally worth it for the quick, professional service.
Thanks again guys. I definitely know where to head next time! (Knock on wood).

Clean.
New.
In and out in 65 minutes.
Only issue is that they said our daughter (8) did not break her ankle and they told us to follow up with a pediatric orthopedist. We did and they showed us that she did break it but it’s along the growth plate and hard to diagnose so to us, it was no biggie. AEC did the initial triage and calmed our nerves and braced her up.
I’m a fan.

Unless you are in real distress, take the time to check your insurance when you get there. When I arrived, the intake receptionist accepted my in-​network copay ($ 100, as opposed to a $ 30 out-​of-​network copay, as printed on my card), so I assumed I was in-​network, but then I discovered I was out-​of-​network. After some back and forth, it seems like my insurance will honor the bill as if it were in-​network, but there was a lot of stress along the way.
I edited my extremely negative initial review to reflect the fact that the billing issues have been worked out (I think).

Extremely happy and amazed at this concept… «A stand alone ER» not attached to any hospital or other building… Being here from California for a few day convention. Greatly conflicted at having to seek treatment on a Sunday… Told by a clinic that I needed an ER, beings that I was passing out …
Asked if they would call the various Er’s to tell me if any were not full with Trauma… So I didn’t add to the back log (knowing how our ER’s are in California).
They suggested here. Walked in, immediately seen, paperwork sent in back with me and given to my friend to help me complete, nurses in immediately, Dr. North there shortly afterwards… IV and tests done afterwards… Doctor returns great bedside manner as all the nurses did, told me his ideas, concerns, need for additional tests, once completed advised a hospital admission needed. Very professional, thorough, caring, and personable–
This sums up care given by Dr Nieto, RN’s Deb and Angela, RT Jane, and tech Cyndi
Cannot thank enough or demonstrate my admiration for you! I know my friend who lives here was so blown away with the level and type of care given in such a great manner!

I went here for care after a biking accident that resulted in me face planting hard, and my experience was very pleasant. I spent less than five minutes in the waiting room, than was taken straight to a bed for triage and vitals, the doctor cam in only a few minutes later, ordered a CT scan, which I was taken to only a few minutes after that. The only real wait was for the results of my CT to come back from the off site radiologist, and that still wasn’t long.
The nursing staff was very polite and attentive. They made sure to check in on a regular basis with updates during any waiting periods. The doctor was also very attentive, with a great bedside manner.
I will definitely use this facility for any future emergency needs.

I had an incredible experience at this facility.
Fast service, fast diagnosis and wonderful care.
Dr. Robinson and staff are just wonderful.

Excellent patient care, nice facility fast friendly attentive staff :) board certified physicians, registered nurses, registered technologists.

My father was in from out of town and suddenly began to suffer from urinary retention. He was in pain and unable to void so we took him to there immediately.
The entire staff was extremely personable and competent. They took us in as quickly as possible. Once inside, they made my father feel comfortable and very much at home.
The entire visit was pleasant. The after care instructions were personalized for him as well. We thought the amount they charged for service was fair.
When we got home he said he wished there was a place like this in the Valley, where he’s from.
He was so impressed I felt compelled to come on Unilocal and write this review for them.
Thank you Austin ER!

I’d give it zero stars if I could…
After being involved in a hit and run accident I called Austin Emergency Center at 512−774−5780 inquiring about wait times and fees. I was told the wait would probably be short and that once I came in I would be told the cost of services after seeing a doctor. The man explained to me that there would be no charge for services until after there was a treatment plan from a doctor. I said it sounded like I could come in and talk with someone… essentially a consultation before paying for services… I believe I used the words «free consultation“or «free estimate». He agreed with me and said yes.
My sister drove me over and after filling out intake forms and receiving a hospital style bracelet I was taken to an exam room to wait for someone to take my vital signs. Soon after taking my vital signs someone came into the exam room and asked for my credit card. They said they would be charging me $ 100 for service. No one said anything about $ 100 being a down payment on the bill.
When it came time to leave I was given my credit card and receipt to sign. I stopped at the receptionist and requested an itemized bill. The gentleman at the counter, Eric, told me that they were unable to provide me with an itemized bill but it would be sent to my insurance company. I told him that there shouldn’t be anything sent to my insurance company because I was told the services would cost $ 100 and my credit card was charged $ 100. A woman named Debbie (who refused to provide her last name) said that they were unable to provide me with an itemized bill because their billing office was closed until Monday.
Their business practices are deceptive at best and you would be wise to steer clear of Austin Emergency Center.
And make sure to read the filtered reviews on Unilocal.There are many complaints similar to mine.

While I was in Austin for SXSW, I sprained my ankle terribly on a curb downtown. I was recommended to the Austin Emergency Center because it was new, clean and there was likely no wait. I was terrified, anyone who’s been to an emergency room knows that the experience can vary and offers so many unknowns when going out-​of-​state.
I was greeted by a smiling Martha who helped me get checked in. We joked around about a variety of things and I immediately felt comfortable. There was no line, no waiting and after a couple of basic forms, I was inside with Angela and Jane who are my new best friends. We chatted about life, living in Austin and were very knowledgable about the situation with my ankle. Angela and I were instant best friends. Then, with a presence out of a movie, I met with Dr. Ely who looked at my ankle. She was kind and she cared so much. They all did. While we were waiting for the results, Jane took me on an art tour of their original local art on the walls.
I had some X-​rays done, and they thought there might have been a hairline fracture. They made doubly sure and x-​rayed me again. No fracture! What a relief.
They gave me some new crutches, wrapped my ankle in a gel splint, gave me some sage advice and sent me off with some meds and a smile.
I HIGHLY recommend this institution to anyone who might need some ER care in Austin.
Thanks for the great care!

I took my 2.5year old when she needed stitched on Saturday evening, when my regular after hour was closed.
PROS: (five stars)
Super short wait time — compared to a regular Emergency Room at a Hospital.
Very friendly evening staff. Over very happy with this Emergency Room visit.
CONS: (one star)
I called them back few weeks later, just to obtain a co-​pay receipt…
I spoke with a rude woman who first put me on hold for a while (no biggie), got immediately snappy and condescending with me once off hold, just to pass my simple request to another department which was closed when I tried to contact them.

First of all, I feel the need to remind everyone that this is an EMERGENCY ROOM. Of course it’s expensive. I paid exactly the same copay as I would have had I gone to Brack or St. David’s, but waited half the time and had much better care. Nobody’s trying to scam anyone here, it’s just an ER. Don’t go here if all you need is urgent care! Unless you’re like me and willing to pay the premium just to not have to deal with urgent care.
This place was quick and accommodating. The staff was very friendly and the doctor wrote me tons of Rx’s to help my symptoms. Even though I probably could have just gone to urgent care, they still gave me plenty of attention & care. I recommend it for emergencies.

We went in here Saturday morning when my husband conked his head and started bleeding. We weren’t sure whether it would require stitches but wanted to err on the side of caution. Since we were relatively close by and had passed this place a million times, we decided to stop in.
We were very happy with this emergency clinic. There was virtually no wait for service, the staff was extremely friendly, attentive, and competent, and we were out of there in about half an hour.

While they will charge you the same rate as the Emergency Room they will do a Med Screen first and if it isn’t serious they will let you out of there without a charge.
I had cut my leg on trip down to Port A and due to the amount I was drinking I didn’t take care of it quite as well as I should. The healing was going slow so I went here one night to make sure it wasn’t infected and that there wasn’t any issues.
I only waited about 5 minutes before seeing the doctor. After the basic checks he looked at my cut and relieved my worry by telling me it was good and to keep cleaning it and if it gets worse to make an appointment with my PCP.
Staff was friendly. No Wait. I was in and out in about 30 – 45 minutes. Much better than the actual ER.