Bottom line: Lifecare Primary Medical in Richmond, TX accepts Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna and UnitedHealthcare. We accept most major plans, so if yours is not listed, call 281-712-7757 to verify it. Because each insurer sells many plans with different networks, have your member ID ready so we can confirm your specific plan, explain your copay or deductible in general terms, and book the right visit, including Medicare wellness visits.
Insurance guide
Insurance plans accepted at our Richmond clinic
Lifecare Primary Medical accepts the following insurance for adult primary care, preventive visits, chronic disease management and same-day sick visits:
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Aetna
- UnitedHealthcare
We accept most major plans, so if your insurance is not listed here, call us to verify yours. Keep in mind that one insurance company can sell many different plans, each with its own provider network, referral rules and costs. A card that says Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna or UnitedHealthcare tells us the carrier, but your member ID and plan name tell us whether your specific plan includes our clinic. The quickest way to know for sure is to call 281-712-7757 with your card in hand before your first visit.
Insurance networks change from year to year. Even if you have seen us before, it is worth confirming your coverage when your plan renews or you switch employers.
Copays, deductibles and coinsurance, explained
Accepting your insurance means we can bill your plan, but it does not mean every visit is free. What you owe depends on how your plan shares costs. HealthCare.gov defines the main terms this way:
| Term | What it means | How it affects a primary care visit |
|---|
| Deductible | How much you spend for certain covered services before your plan starts to pay | Until you meet it, you may pay the plan’s negotiated rate for sick visits and tests |
| Copayment | A set fee you pay each time you get a covered service | Often due at check-in for office visits |
| Coinsurance | A percentage of the cost you pay after the deductible | May apply to lab work, procedures or injections |
| Out-of-pocket maximum | The most you will spend on covered services in a year | After you reach it, your plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the plan year |
Many plans cover certain preventive services before the deductible, while problem-focused visits, lab tests, an EKG or injections may be billed differently. When a preventive visit and a new problem are handled on the same day, your plan may apply cost sharing to the problem portion. If you are unsure what you will owe, ask our front desk to help you check your benefits before your appointment.
Medicare Annual Wellness Visit vs. a physical
Medicare patients are often surprised that the yearly “wellness” visit is not the same as a head-to-toe physical. Medicare.gov describes three different visits:
| Visit | When you can get it | What it includes | Cost under Original Medicare |
|---|
| “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit | Once, within the first 12 months you have Part B | Review of medical, social and family history, BMI, a basic vision test, depression and substance-use risk review, and a checklist of recommended screenings | Nothing if your provider accepts assignment; the Part B deductible does not apply |
| Yearly “Wellness” visit (Annual Wellness Visit) | Once every 12 months after you have had Part B for more than 12 months | A conversation-based visit to create or update your prevention plan, with a health risk assessment, medication review, routine measurements and a cognitive assessment | Nothing if your provider accepts assignment; the Part B deductible does not apply |
| Routine physical exam | Any time you and your provider schedule it | A hands-on head-to-toe exam | Original Medicare does not cover routine physicals; you may pay the full amount. Some Medicare Advantage plans include one |
Medicare.gov is clear that the yearly wellness visit “isn’t a routine physical exam,” and that if you have specific health concerns you should schedule a separate appointment. Extra tests or services added during a wellness visit may come with coinsurance or a deductible. Our team can help you book the right visit type, whether that is a wellness visit, an annual physical or a visit for a specific problem. Learn more about our preventive care and geriatric care.
How to set up Medicare as a new patient
- Call 281-712-7757 and tell us you have Medicare. Let us know whether you have Original Medicare (the red, white and blue card), a Medicare Advantage plan through a private insurer, or a Medicare supplement.
- Share your card details. We will need your Medicare number or Medicare Advantage member ID so we can verify your coverage before the visit.
- Check your plan’s primary care rules. Some Medicare Advantage plans ask members to choose a primary care provider or get referrals for specialists. If yours does, contact your plan to list our clinic, or ask us to help you check.
- Tell us when your Part B started. If you are in your first 12 months of Part B, you may be eligible for the one-time “Welcome to Medicare” visit; after that, the yearly wellness visit.
- Bring your records. A medication list, recent lab results and contact details for your previous doctor help us build a complete picture from day one.
Medicaid, Marketplace plans and self-pay
We accept Medicaid. If your Medicaid coverage is through a managed care health plan, your plan may assign or ask you to choose a primary care provider. Check that our clinic is listed with your plan, or call us and we will help you confirm before your visit.
If you bought coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, network rules depend on the specific plan you chose. Call 281-712-7757 with your member ID so we can verify your plan before your visit.
No insurance? You can still be seen. Call 281-712-7757 and ask for self-pay pricing for the visit, labs or tests you need. Walk-ins and same-day visits are welcome Monday through Friday, and many follow-ups can be handled through telehealth.
What to bring to your first visit
- Your insurance card (front and back) or Medicare card, and a photo ID
- Any secondary insurance or Medicare supplement card
- A list of current medications, vitamins and supplements with doses
- Recent lab results, imaging reports or records from your previous provider
- A short list of the questions or symptoms you want to discuss
Lifecare Primary Medical sees adults 18 and older for primary care, chronic disease management and same-day visits, with in-house labs, EKG and joint injections, in English and Spanish.
