The Texas Liver Institute was founded by Dr. Eric Lawitz in 2004 as Alamo Medical Research. In 2013, a new facility was built and the name changed to The Texas Liver Institute to best represent comprehensive liver care and research.

We have offices in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.

San Antonio: We have 2 locations where patients can be seen. TLI-Central is our main location and is located at 607 Camden St, San Antonio, TX. We also have TLI-North which is located at 3619 Paesanos Pkwy, Suite 212, San Antonio, TX

TLI-Central is conveniently located downtown San Antonio, just blocks from I-10, I-35, I-37 and US 281. We are 15 minutes away from the San Antonio International Airport.

Austin: Our Austin office is located at 7940 Shoal Creek Blvd, Suite 205, Austin, TX

Dallas: Our Dallas office is located at 7515 Greenville Ave, Suite 600, Dallas, TX 75231

You may need a referral, depending on your insurance provider and insurance plan. Please contact your insurance provider for details.

While we encourage you to remain with your current TLI physician for continuity of care, transfer requests are considered on a case by case basis.

No, TLI does not handle Workman’s Compensation claims.

TLI physicians provide ongoing updates to any and all primary care and/or referring provider as documented in your medical records.

TLI physicians provide coverage at all major hospitals in San Antonio. You may contact your TLI physician’s office for more information.

We will routinely schedule new patients for the first available appointment. We will also make every attempt to schedule patients with more serious concerns into our clinical hours.

Yes, our hepatologists will see individuals of all ages with liver disease.

• Liver biopsy • Ultrasound • Fibroscan

Most procedures are scheduled within 1-2 weeks of seeing the doctor for your medical history and physical. It may also be sooner than that time period as well.

Your procedure may be cancelled. It is dangerous to receive sedation if you have had something to eat or drink before a procedure.

The medication that you are given to relax you and relieve any pain during the procedure may cause you to forget events, and may impair your judgment and reflexes. If you attempt to drive it you will be considered “driving under the influence.”

No. This is dangerous since you will have received narcotics and sedatives during your procedure. You must not mix alcohol and these medications.

This will depend on your physician directions but most patients may resume their normal diet. You may be asked to avoid spicy or greasy foods for the next several hours.

A liver biopsy typically takes 20-30 minutes. You will be at TLI approximately three hours from arrival until discharge.

You are awake and able to hear and follow commands but you will not feel any pain.

No, this is not allowed. The physician will talk with your designated family or friend immediately following the procedure.

Yes, you will meet your physician in the office when your medical history and physical is completed.

Yes, you will receive pain and sedation medications.

You may meet several clinical staff during your visit, including medical assistants and ultrasound technicians. You will also meet the front office staff that will check you in and assist you withcompletion of all needed paperwork. All of our staff have additional training that is Hepatology specific, as well as ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) and BLS (basic life support).

You will definitely need to bring someone with you to the Center. Additionally, you will not be allowed to drive or take a taxi home without a responsible adult with you.

Procedure results will be reviewed with you at your next scheduled follow-up appointment.

• Aetna
• Amerigroup
• Averde
• BCBS HMO/PPO
• Beech Street
• Bravo / Health Spring
• Care Improvement Plus – Medicare
• Cigna PPO
• Community First
• Coventry Advanta (Medicare Advantage PPO)
• Coventry/First Health PPO
• Galaxy
• GEHA/ First Health
• Health Payors
• HealthSmart
• Humana HMO/PPO/Medicare
• Interplan Health Network
• Medicare
• Medicaid
• Molina-Medicare
• PHCS
• Superior Health Plan (Medicare, Medicaid)
• Today’s Options Medicare
• Tricare
• United Health Care
• Wellcare of Texas – Medicare

This listing may not include all plans TLI accepts. Please contact TLI if your plan is not listed.

Yes.

Your physician will order tests that he/she feels are medically necessary depending upon your symptoms or previous diagnosis. Should any of these tests be considered not medically necessary, you will be asked to review our Advanced Beneficiary Notice explaining the services ordered, the cost of the services and the reason why Medicare may not consider these medically necessary. Should you choose to proceed with the treatment, you will sign the Notice accepting financial liability for those tests/services.

Should a claim for services be denied, we will assist you in working with your health plan.

Co-insurance is the percentage that you are responsible for according to your health plan. For example, your insurance covers 70 percent of the allowable fee for a specific service. You are responsible for the remaining 30 percent. This is called co-insurance. Co-insurance is not a co-payment.

There are many variables to this question depending upon the services provided. You will be provided with a co-insurance, co-pay, and deductible and an overall estimate prior to services being rendered.

Yes, traditional only.

As a courtesy, TLI will file health insurance claims to your health plan. You will be financially responsible for satisfying deductibles, co-payments and co-insurances.

You must first see your primary care provider (PCP) for your illness. If your PCP feels it appropriate, his/her office will contact your health plan to order a referral. This referral must be on file with our office by the day of your visit. If not, you will be financially responsible for services provided during that particular visit.

It is the patient’s responsibility to remit payment at the time of service. We understand that from

time to time circumstances can arise that create a hardship. Please speak with a manager BEFORE your

clinic visit or procedure if you will be unable to pay your balance in full on the day of your

appointment.

Our offices will contact your health plan to obtain this information. Please be advised that this

information can change on a daily basis, dependent upon any other health claims that have been

processed on your behalf from other healthcare providers. We provide this information as an estimate

only.

Once your insurance carrier has sent in payment for your visit or procedure, any balances owed will be

billed to you. Payment is due upon receipt.

Not at this time.

Please contact our billing office at 210.572.4975. If you are asked to leave a message, please leave

your name, account number and a phone number where you can be reached during our normal office hours.