West Lake Family Practice, P.A. will no longer bill immunizations to insurance, except those that are required by the state for school-aged minors. Vaccines may still be obtained here through our travel clinic (Austin Travel Shots) or via other sources such as the Health Department, most local pharmacies (HEB, for example), University Student Health Clinics, and other travel clinics to name a few options. There can be no exceptions. All insurances and all patients will be treated equally.
 

Why has WLFP implemented this policy?

Over the past four to five years, many medical services have become either no longer economically feasible (i.e. insurance reimbursement is less than the cost of providing the service) or they are simply no longer covered. Most plans do not cover any adult immunizations, nor do they cover non-required immunizations for children (such as the HPV vaccine). There are no easy or guaranteed ways to verify insurance eligibility for vaccines beforehand. Add to that the reality that insurers often pay at or below our cost of the vaccines and we were compelled to adopt this policy. This policy will remain in place until the insurers make changes in the how they cover immunizations.

Many other doctors' offices in town have adopted similar policies, or they have opted to not provide any immunizations at all.

What Options Do I Have? 

As always, you have the option to pursue these services at other medical facilities and most pharmacies. Since our travel clinic, Austin Travel Shots, is not contracted with any insurers, we can still provide this service to you (see below).  If desired, we can provide you with a prescription for a vaccine to be filled at a local pharmacy that we can then administer to you (for a $25 fee). Please bear in mind that many insurance companies do not cover vaccines that are not supplied by a physician.  

If you would like to receive your immunizations at this location, you may do so via Austin Travel Shots.

Austin Travel Shots is a separate business entity, started in 2003 by Dr. Douglass to offer travel health services to our patients. Travel health consultations and vaccines traditionally are not covered by medical insurance benefits and ATS is not contracted with any health insurance plans.

For your convenience, you may obtain all the immunizations listed on the Austin Travel Shots web site and receive a receipt that you may submit to your health insurer for any out-of-network benefit coverage you may have.

We welcome all feedback and thank you for your understanding.