Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Andrea George.
Hi Andrea, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was only 10 years old when my father had a massive stroke as a complication of Diabetes Mellitus and hypertension. This life experience motivated me to pursue medicine. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto in Neuroscience and Psychology. I later pursued medicine and finished my residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and my Fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Creighton University School of Medicine. I also worked at the Osteoporosis research center during my time in Omaha, Nebraska. During the Pandemic, we decided to relocate closer to the family which brought us to Cedar Park, Texas.
I have always known that my goal was to provide quality medical care and this always had its limitations at big institutions. I had to think outside the box and this led me to establish Hill Country Endocrinology a direct pay Endocrine Practice. We provide endocrine care virtually and in person and my practice is no longer limited by the requirements of the “middle man” the insurance companies. We do not see 2000 patients a year in our practice like traditional practices and limit our patient panel to 200-300 a year. I get to spend more quality time with my patients with longer visits usually an hour long, my patients have direct access to me via text or phone. Patients can schedule t see me within 24-72 hours and do not have to wait 2-3 months to be seen. We practice Price transparency in our practice so there is no surprises.
Patients without insurance now have access to a board-certified endocrinologist at affordable rates and have better diabetes control. Patients with high deductible can now see a specialist without the concern of surprise bills or affordability. We believe in quality care. This is really the future of medicine that is now available to the people of the Greater Austin area.
My passion is to provide evidence-based medicine, patient education and ensure everyone gets equal quality healthcare. The health care disparities in our country are vast and Direct Care clinics will change the future of health care.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Given this model of healthcare is unique, it goes without saying that it is not an easy path. It requires a lot of time education and time to explain to patients how this model can be beneficial for them. However, once the patients experience health care this way they are so grateful for this practice model and personalized health care. These patients are in tears that someone is willing to take the time to listen to them and care for them as a person. I’ve had a patient say that in 50 years of her time in healthcare, she has not spent this much time with her physician. I get to know my patients on a personal level which really benefits the patient-physician relationship and I believe that it improves the outcome for the patient.
Another obstacle is just getting the word out to the public that this option exists! I have patients without insurance who have not been taking their thyroid medications for years and end up close to being hospitalized and wish they knew that they had options to health care without insurance. They wish they knew about my practice sooner. So this is something I am working on to ensure that people, especially the uninsured and under insured know that they have options to quality health care and don’t have to suffer with their medical conditions untreated.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Hill Country Endocrinology is a Direct Care Endocrine Practice. We specialize in the management of Diabetes, Thyroid disease, Thyroid Cancer, Menopause, Low Testosterone, PCOS, Adrenal Disease, Pituitary Disease and Obesity Medicine, just to name a few. What sets us apart from traditional Medical practices is our price transparency and personalized care. The average physician spends about 7-15 minutes with their patients per visit, our initial visit is usually about 1 hour long. We offer telemedicine services and really work with patients without insurance, high deductibles or those that need personalized care and more time with their provider. You get access to your physician via text to ask all questions you may have.
We are proud to be one of the only Direct Endocrine Care practices in the Greater Austin Area. We have patients that come to us from all over texas for this unique care model.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I am the youngest of three and I have two older brothers. They always made sure I never felt like a child who grew up without her father. Interestingly all my life I loved school but wanted to become a lawyer.
Pricing:
- Monthly Diabetes Memberships 169.00
- Monthly Thyroid Memberships 129.00
- One Time non-refundable enrollment fee 199.00
- Fee for service Consultation 399.00
- Fee for service follow up 199.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hcendo.com
- Instagram: @hillcountryendocrinology
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hillcountryendocrinology
