FAQ

Do you accept insurance?

Our office does not bill commercial insurance. We are considered an "out-of-network" provider. You may pay by check, credit card, or HSA/FSA debit card. Upon request, we can provide you with a copy of the superbill which you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement for out-of-network care. The superbill is a detailed medical receipt that contains procedure codes, diagnosis codes, and the fees charged for your office visit. We cannot guarantee what reimbursement, if any, you may receive from your insurance company. We do not submit claims, perform appeals, complete prior authorizations, or call insurance companies directly. This is the responsibility of the patient.

We are currently a participating provider with traditional Medicare. We submit the claims directly to Medicare in compliance with federal guidelines. We will also honor Medicare supplemental plans providing the practice member (patient) has set up the Coordination of Benefits with Medicare. Please note that this does NOT include any form of Medicare Advantage, Medicare Replacement, Medicare Complete, or any other form of a replacement plan for traditional Part B Medicare Benefits. 

We do not participate with Medicaid, nor do we bill Medicaid for any services rendered.

Most laboratory services provided by LabCorp or Quest can be billed directly to your insurance plans under in-network benefits for insurance companies that have a contract with LabCorp or Quest. For those that do not have good lab coverage we have partnered with LabCorp and negotiated a lower, fixed "self-pay" lab cost for our routine blood work labs. Many have found that this cost is less than their insurance payment for the same tests.  It also gives us the freedom to order a more comprehensive workup without concern for a denial of coverage, as the labs are paid for upfront.

Some specialty labs may not be covered by your insurance plans. Please check with your insurance company regarding deductibles and reimbursement for out-of-network labs. It is not the responsibility of North Texas ENT & Allergy Center to understand your individual insurance coverage.

Do you offer payment plans?

No, currently, we do not offer any payment plans. You may pay by check, credit card, or HSA/FSA debit cards. 

Why don’t you accept insurance?

Unfortunately, when doctors participate with insurance carriers, they enter into a contractual agreement that allows the insurance companies to dictate what services and treatments will be allowed. The excessive administrative burden and the infringement into the doctor-patient relationship limits the quality of care that we believe you deserve. That, combined with the economics of modern medical practice, forces most doctors to see more and more patients in a day, which keeps office visits very brief.  We believe this approach of seeing practice members (patients) for shortened visit times does not allow us adequate time to utilize a functional and integrative approach to create a personalized plan of care.  

Who is a typical practice member?

Practice members vary in complexity and health goals. Some desire to extend their lifespan, and more specifically, their healthspan. Others want a more youthful appearance and renewed vitality. Still others are looking to potentially avoid life-threatening diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and beyond. However, they all typically share a strong desire to reclaim their health. They are open-minded and willing to take responsibility for their health status. Not uncommonly, they have visited several other practitioners, have frequently been told that their labs are ‘normal’ and nothing is wrong, and yet they are still plagued with chronic inflammatory symptoms and/or conditions. They just ‘don’t feel right’. They are interested in unraveling the complex interactions of their unique body systems to reveal a root cause(s) and then do the restorative work necessary to reclaim their health.

What do treatments entail?

Our treatments are established after an extensive information gathering process and physical examination. The foundational focus is on lifestyle intervention, including nutrition, exercise, sleep management, stress reduction and healthy relationships.  Advanced diagnostic testing can be utilized to further assess the biochemical status of body systems. Herbals and nutraceuticals/supplements may be recommended to help support your body, based on personalized needs. Hormone replacement or pharmaceuticals may be prescribed as well, depending on disease and symptom severity. This truly holistic approach considers the various body systems and how they interact. This is done in partnership with the practice member, guided by their goals and preferences. A trusting relationship between practice member and practitioner is paramount and an extremely valuable tool available to promote health and healing. Time is spent cultivating this relationship to build mutual trust and respect.

Are you my primary physician?

No. Dr. Otto offers functional medicine and ear, nose, and throat consultation only and does not serve as your primary care physician. You are required to have a primary care physician elsewhere. You must have a primary care physician for yearly physical exams, wellness visits, and for after-hours or urgent care purposes. We do not respond to urgent/emergent requests of any sort, including messages or phone calls. You must have a primary care doctor for that purpose.