Complete Guide to Healthcare in Austin (2026)

Austin’s healthcare system spans more than 30 hospitals, employs over 60,000 medical professionals, and serves a metro population that has grown past 2.4 million. Healthcare services in the Austin area cost 3 to 10% less than the national average, according to multiple cost-of-living indices, and routine doctor visits run roughly 26% below typical U.S. prices. For a metro that added 200,000 residents in the last decade alone, the infrastructure has managed to keep pace, with four major hospital systems, a nationally ranked children’s hospital, and a medical school that just received the largest private gift in University of Texas history.

The University of Texas at Austin and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation announced a $750 million gift in April 2026, bringing total Dell family giving to UT past the $1 billion mark. That money funds the new UT Dell Medical Center and Dell Campus for Advanced Research, a 300-acre, AI-powered medical campus straddling MoPac in North Austin. The 300-to-500-bed hospital will open in 2030 in partnership with MD Anderson Cancer Center, making Austin one of fewer than a dozen U.S. cities with an integrated academic cancer research center. For anyone relocating to or already living in Austin, the healthcare landscape is not just adequate. It is actively transforming.

This guide covers every major healthcare system, insurance option, specialty provider, and cost consideration for Austin and the surrounding Hill Country in 2026.

Austin’s Four Major Hospital Systems

Four hospital systems dominate healthcare in the Austin metro. Each has a distinct footprint, specialty focus, and coverage area. Understanding the differences matters because insurance networks, emergency access, and specialist availability all depend on which system serves your neighborhood.

St. David’s HealthCare (HCA Healthcare)

St. David’s is the largest healthcare system in Central Texas by revenue, locations, and employee count. It operates nine hospitals and more than 190 care sites across the Austin metro, generates $3.2 billion in annual revenue, and employs more than 12,000 staff. St. David’s is part of HCA Healthcare, the nation’s largest for-profit hospital chain.

St. David’s Medical Center (downtown) earned the No. 9 ranking in Texas on Newsweek’s 2026 Best Hospitals list and No. 9 on U.S. News & World Report’s Texas rankings. St. David’s North Austin Medical Center ranked No. 31 statewide. In 2026, St. David’s expanded further by acquiring six freestanding emergency centers previously operated by Altus Community Healthcare, adding even more access points across the metro.

Specialty strengths include the Heart Hospital of Austin (part of the St. David’s system and one of the highest-volume cardiac surgery programs in Texas), St. David’s Women’s Center of Texas, and a network of surgery centers and imaging facilities. If you live in Round Rock, Pflugerville, Georgetown, or Cedar Park, a St. David’s facility is likely your closest option.

Ascension Seton

Ascension Seton is the region’s largest nonprofit hospital system and the primary teaching partner of Dell Medical School at UT Austin. Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin earned the No. 10 spot on Newsweek’s 2026 rankings, No. 15 statewide on U.S. News & World Report, and the No. 2 overall position in the Austin metro. It was also named a Best Hospital for Maternity Care in 2026 by U.S. News, and is rated high performing in 14 adult procedures and conditions.

The system includes Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas (the primary teaching hospital, with 578 beds and more than 1,300 physicians), Ascension Seton Southwest, Ascension Seton Williamson (in Round Rock), Ascension Seton Hays (in Kyle), and Ascension Seton Highland Lakes (in Burnet). For buyers in the Hill Country or southern suburbs, Ascension Seton’s geographic spread provides coverage from Georgetown to San Marcos.

Baylor Scott & White Health

Baylor Scott & White is Texas’s largest not-for-profit healthcare system overall, and its Austin-area presence has grown significantly. The Round Rock campus ranked No. 11 on Newsweek’s 2026 state list and No. 25 on U.S. News. Baylor Scott & White also operates a facility in Lakeway, serving the west Austin and Hill Country corridor.

Baylor Scott & White’s strength lies in its statewide network. Patients who need specialist referrals beyond what Austin offers (certain rare cancers, transplant services, or complex cardiac cases) can move seamlessly into the Baylor system in Dallas or Temple. For buyers in Williamson County or the 183/I-35 corridor, Baylor Scott & White Round Rock offers a strong alternative to St. David’s.

CommUnityCare Health Centers

While not a hospital system, CommUnityCare is Central Texas’s largest network of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and a critical part of the healthcare landscape. CommUnityCare operates more than 30 locations across Travis County and provides primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services on a sliding-fee scale based on income. It serves approximately 100,000 patients annually, many of whom are uninsured or on Medicaid. For residents who do not have employer-sponsored insurance or who fall into the Medicaid coverage gap (Texas did not expand Medicaid under the ACA), CommUnityCare is often the most affordable option for comprehensive care.

Dell Medical School and the Future of Austin Healthcare

Dell Medical School opened in 2016 as the first new medical school at a Tier 1 research university in the United States in more than 50 years. Its impact on Austin’s healthcare ecosystem has been transformational, attracting specialists who previously would not have practiced in the market, establishing clinical trials programs, and creating residency pipelines that keep new physicians in the city.

The April 2026 announcement of the UT Dell Campus for Advanced Research represents the next leap. The $750 million Dell Foundation gift funds a 300-plus-acre campus straddling MoPac in North Austin, anchored by the UT Dell Medical Center, a 300-to-500-bed academic hospital built in partnership with UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. The facility will integrate artificial intelligence and advanced computing into clinical care, physician training, and life sciences research. Groundbreaking is expected in late 2026, with a targeted opening in 2030.

According to UT leadership, the goal is to rank among the top 10 medical centers nationally within a decade. For homebuyers, the practical implications are significant: property near the new North Austin campus will benefit from the economic activity generated by a major academic medical center, and Austin residents will gain access to cancer care, clinical trials, and specialty services that currently require travel to Houston or Dallas.

Pediatric Care: Dell Children’s Medical Center

Dell Children’s Medical Center, part of the Ascension network, is the only pediatric Level I Trauma Center in Central Texas. It operates two campuses:

• Main campus (Mueller): 4900 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723. 24/7 pediatric emergency department, full surgical capabilities, neonatal intensive care, and comprehensive specialty clinics.
• North campus: 9010 North Lake Creek Pkwy, Austin, TX 78717. Level III trauma care, 24/7 pediatric ER, specialized surgical care, pediatric imaging, and outpatient rehab.

Dell Children’s Medical Group Pediatrics provides primary care at multiple locations, covering preventive wellness visits through adolescence. For parents, the dual-campus model means shorter drive times from both central and north Austin. The hospital also partners with UT Health Austin for subspecialty pediatric care, giving pediatric patients access to academic specialists without leaving the metro.

Beyond Dell Children’s, pediatric primary care networks include Austin Regional Clinic (ARC), Pediatric Associates of Austin, North Austin Pediatrics, and Partners in Care. Most major neighborhoods have pediatric offices within a 10-to-15-minute drive.

Urgent Care and Emergency Options

Austin has three tiers of non-primary-care access: freestanding emergency rooms, urgent care clinics, and retail clinics. Knowing the difference can save you thousands of dollars.

Austin Regional Clinic (ARC) operates more than 25 locations across the metro with walk-in urgent care availability at most sites. CareNow, NextLevel Urgent Care, and MedSpring provide additional coverage. St. David’s now operates its expanded network of freestanding ERs (following the Altus acquisition), and Ascension Seton has freestanding ERs in multiple corridors.

A critical distinction: freestanding ERs charge ER-level prices, not urgent care prices. They are often located in strip malls and look similar to urgent care clinics, so check the signage carefully. If your condition is not life-threatening, an urgent care clinic will provide similar treatment at one-tenth the cost.

Health Insurance Options in Austin

Texas operates on the federally facilitated health insurance exchange through HealthCare.gov. The state did not create its own exchange and has not expanded Medicaid, leaving a coverage gap that affects an estimated 770,000 Texans who earn too much for Medicaid but too little for marketplace subsidies.

Employer-Sponsored Insurance

Austin’s tech-heavy economy means a large share of residents receive insurance through employers. Major employers like Apple, Google, Tesla, Dell Technologies, Indeed, and Oracle typically offer comprehensive plans with lower deductibles and broader networks than marketplace plans. The average employer-sponsored family premium in Texas runs approximately $22,000 to $24,000 annually, with employers covering roughly 70 to 80% of the cost.

ACA Marketplace Plans

Through the close of open enrollment on January 15, 2026, a record 4.17 million Texans selected plans through the ACA marketplace. Sixteen private insurers offer plans in the Texas marketplace for 2026, and nearly 92% of enrollees receive advance premium tax credits averaging $667 per month toward premium costs. For Austin residents earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level, at least one $0-premium plan was available during 2026 enrollment.

A major change for 2026: the enhanced premium tax credits that were part of the Inflation Reduction Act are expiring. Silver plan premiums saw an average 35% increase for the 2026 plan year, and a typical unsubsidized Silver plan in Austin now runs $500 to $700 per month for an individual. Open enrollment for 2027 plans begins November 1, 2026, and runs through January 15, 2027.

Free enrollment assistance is available at the Prosper Health Coverage Center in South Austin, where certified navigators help residents compare plans and apply for subsidies.

Medicare

Austin-area residents have access to 29 or more Medicare Advantage plans in 2026, with average premiums of $7.26 per month. Plan options include 22 PPO plans and 4 HMO plans from carriers including Aetna, Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Wellcare, and Devoted Health. State of Texas retirees can access the HealthSelect Medicare Advantage plan through the Employees Retirement System.

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7 each year. Medicare beneficiaries should compare plans annually, as networks, formularies, and premiums change. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling through the Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area.

Medicaid and CHIP

Texas has among the strictest Medicaid eligibility requirements in the country. Adults without dependents generally do not qualify regardless of income. Parents qualify only at roughly 14% of the federal poverty level (about $4,400 annually for a household of three). Children qualify through Medicaid or CHIP at higher income levels (up to 201% of FPL for CHIP). Pregnant individuals qualify up to 198% of FPL.

For residents who fall into the coverage gap, CommUnityCare and Lone Star Circle of Care provide sliding-fee-scale primary care. The MAP (Medical Access Program) through Central Health provides limited coverage for Travis County residents earning below 200% of FPL who do not qualify for other programs.

Healthcare Costs in Austin Compared to the National Average

Multiple cost-of-living indices show Austin’s healthcare costs running below the national average, though the exact figure varies by source and measurement:

The combination of no state income tax and below-average healthcare costs makes Austin attractive for retirees and people managing chronic conditions. However, the savings come with a caveat: Texas’s lack of Medicaid expansion means that low-income residents without employer insurance face higher out-of-pocket costs than they would in the 40 states that expanded Medicaid.

Ed Neuhaus, broker of Neuhaus Realty Group, notes that healthcare access is increasingly a factor in where buyers choose to live. “We see retirees specifically asking about proximity to Dell Seton or St. David’s, and younger buyers want to know which neighborhoods have pediatricians and urgent care within a short drive. It is part of the due diligence, right alongside schools and commute times.”

Mental Health Resources

Austin has expanded its mental health infrastructure significantly since 2020, driven by pandemic-era demand and ongoing population growth. Resources span crisis intervention, community clinics, private practices, and specialized centers.

Crisis Services

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, available 24/7 nationally
• Travis County Crisis Hotline: 512-472-HELP (4357), 24 hours, operated by Integral Care
• Integral Care Psychiatric Emergency Services: 56-bed facility at 1165 Airport Blvd, Austin’s designated crisis stabilization unit

Community Mental Health

Integral Care is the local mental health authority for Travis County, providing psychiatric services, counseling, substance use treatment, and crisis intervention. Services are available regardless of ability to pay.

Additional community resources include:

• Waterloo Counseling Center: Specializes in LGBTQ+ clients, HIV-related concerns, trauma, and depression. Sliding-fee scale. 512-444-9922.
• LifeWorks: Multiple Travis County locations offering peer support, youth counseling, and adult counseling. 512-735-2400.
• Samaritan Center: Mental health counseling for all ages, group therapy, integrative medicine. Multiple locations. 512-451-7331.
• Capital Area Counseling: Individual, couple, and group counseling in English and Spanish. 512-302-1000.
• Austin Child Guidance Center: Youth and household mental health services.

Private Practice Access

Austin has a robust private practice mental health community, though wait times for new-patient appointments remain long (3 to 8 weeks is typical for therapists accepting insurance). Psychiatry appointments can take 6 to 12 weeks. Psychology Today’s directory lists over 3,000 therapists in the Austin metro. For faster access, telehealth platforms like Cerebral, Talkspace, and BetterHelp offer Texas-licensed providers with typical availability within 1 to 2 weeks.

Dental and Vision Care

Dental services in Austin run 8 to 12% below the national average, according to multiple cost-of-living indices. The metro has a dense network of private dental practices, with pediatric dentists, orthodontists, and general practices in every major corridor.

For residents without dental insurance, options include:

• CommUnityCare dental clinics: Sliding-fee scale, multiple locations across Travis County
• UT School of Dentistry referral programs: Reduced-cost care provided by dental residents under faculty supervision
• Austin Smiles: Nonprofit providing free cleft lip/palate surgery and dental care for children
• Dental discount plans: Programs like Dental Solutions and DentRite offer 20 to 60% discounts at participating dentists for an annual membership fee ($80 to $200 per year)

Vision care follows a similar pattern. Austin Eye is the largest ophthalmology practice in the area, with seven locations. Dell Seton and St. David’s both have ophthalmology departments. Retail optometry (LensCrafters, Warby Parker, Costco Optical) provides routine eye exams and glasses at competitive prices throughout the metro.

Concierge Medicine and Direct Primary Care

The direct primary care (DPC) model has gained traction in Austin, particularly among self-employed tech workers, small business owners, and people who pair a high-deductible insurance plan with a DPC membership for day-to-day care.

In a DPC practice, patients pay a flat monthly fee (typically $80 to $200 for individuals) and receive unlimited office visits, same-day or next-day appointments, direct physician communication via phone or text, and basic labs and procedures at no additional cost. The model eliminates insurance billing overhead, which allows physicians to maintain smaller patient panels (400 to 600 patients versus 2,000 to 3,000 in a traditional practice) and spend 30 to 60 minutes per visit instead of 10 to 15.

Austin-area DPC and concierge practices include:

• Austin Medical Partners: Internal medicine DPC and concierge practice; uniquely, they also provide hospitalist coverage for admitted patients. 512-640-2691.
• METSI Care: Holistic, functional, and preventive medicine with 18 years of experience.
• Euphora Health: DPC in Austin and Cedar Park, starting at $80 per month per employee for business plans.
• Direct MD Austin: DPC with a focus on accessibility and extended appointment times.

DPC is not insurance. Patients still need a catastrophic or high-deductible plan for hospitalizations, surgery, and specialist referrals. But the combination of DPC membership plus a high-deductible plan often costs less than a traditional PPO, particularly for healthy individuals and couples without complex medical needs.

Telemedicine and Virtual Care

All four major hospital systems in Austin offer telehealth services, and the pandemic-era expansion of virtual care has become permanent. Most insurance plans cover telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person appointments.

• Ascension Online Care: Virtual visits for non-emergency conditions, available 24/7
• MyBSWHealth: Baylor Scott & White’s telehealth app for virtual visits, appointment scheduling, and medical records
• St. David’s Virtual Care: Telehealth for minor illnesses and follow-up care
• ARC MyChart: Austin Regional Clinic’s portal with video visit capability across 25+ locations

For mental health specifically, platforms like Cerebral, Talkspace, and BetterHelp have Texas-licensed providers available with shorter wait times than in-person practices. UT Health Austin also offers telehealth appointments for many of its specialty clinics.

A practical note for rural Hill Country buyers: telemedicine fills a real gap. Communities like Dripping Springs, Wimberley, and Marble Falls have limited specialist access. A video visit with a specialist at Dell Seton or Baylor Scott & White can replace a 45-to-90-minute drive each way.

Specialty Care and Centers of Excellence

Austin’s specialist landscape has deepened considerably since Dell Medical School opened in 2016. Areas of particular strength include:

• Cardiac care: Heart Hospital of Austin (St. David’s) is one of the highest-volume cardiac surgery programs in Texas. Austin Heart provides comprehensive cardiology across multiple locations.
• Cancer care: Texas Oncology has the largest oncology presence in the metro, with locations in Central, North, South, and West Austin. The upcoming UT Dell Medical Center partnership with MD Anderson will add academic cancer care starting in 2030.
• Orthopedics: Texas Orthopedics and Seton Orthopedic Trauma Center provide musculoskeletal care. Dell Seton is a Level I adult trauma center.
• Women’s health and maternity: Ascension Seton earned Best Hospital for Maternity 2026. St. David’s Women’s Center of Texas is one of the largest women’s hospitals in the state.
• Neurosciences: Dell Seton and St. David’s both offer stroke and neurology programs, with Dell Medical School’s neuroscience research adding academic depth.

For conditions requiring treatment not available in Austin (organ transplant, certain rare cancers, complex pediatric surgeries), Houston’s Texas Medical Center is approximately 2.5 hours by car or 45 minutes by air. Dallas’s UT Southwestern Medical Center is roughly 3 hours north. The Baylor Scott & White system offers seamless referrals to its Temple and Dallas campuses.

Healthcare by Neighborhood and Area

When choosing where to live in Austin, healthcare proximity matters, particularly for older buyers, parents with young children, or anyone managing a chronic condition. Here is how the major corridors compare:

For buyers weighing neighborhoods, the general rule is that central and north Austin offer the deepest healthcare access, followed by Round Rock and Pflugerville. The Hill Country communities (Dripping Springs, Wimberley, Spicewood) trade healthcare proximity for lifestyle and land, a tradeoff that works well for healthy, younger buyers but deserves careful thought for retirees or those managing ongoing medical conditions.

Choosing a Neighborhood for Healthcare Access

According to Neuhaus Realty Group market data, healthcare proximity increasingly factors into home searches, especially among three buyer profiles:

• Retirees and pre-retirees (55+): Proximity to a full-service hospital and specialist offices is a top-three priority alongside property taxes and community amenities. Georgetown (Sun City), Round Rock, and central Austin score highest. Lakeway and Bee Cave score well with the addition of Baylor Scott & White Lakeway.
• Parents with young children: Access to pediatric urgent care and a nearby pediatrician matters most. Mueller (next to Dell Children’s), Cedar Park/Leander (near Dell Children’s North), and Round Rock all rate highly.
• Remote workers managing chronic conditions: Reliable broadband for telehealth combined with proximity to a pharmacy and lab work locations. Most suburban neighborhoods work well. Rural Hill Country properties should verify telemedicine connectivity.

If healthcare access is a priority, ask these questions before making an offer:

1. What is the drive time to the nearest hospital emergency room?
2. Is there a pediatric ER within 20 minutes (if you have children)?
3. Are there urgent care options (not freestanding ERs) within 10 minutes?
4. Does the area have reliable broadband for telemedicine?
5. Is your current physician’s network (Seton, St. David’s, Baylor) represented in this area?

Health Insurance Considerations When Moving to Austin

Relocating to Austin triggers a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that allows you to enroll in new health insurance outside of the standard open enrollment window. You have 60 days from your move date to select a plan. Key considerations for relocators:

• Network changes: Your current insurer may not operate in the Texas marketplace, or may have a different network in Austin than in your origin city. Verify that your preferred hospitals and doctors are in-network before enrolling.
• No state income tax, but no Medicaid expansion: If you are coming from a Medicaid-expansion state and earned between 100% and 138% of FPL, you may lose Medicaid eligibility in Texas. Plan for marketplace coverage or CommUnityCare as alternatives.
• Employer plan changes: If relocating for work, your employer plan likely covers Austin providers, but confirm that your preferred hospital system is in the plan’s network.
• COBRA: If leaving a job, COBRA coverage from your prior employer typically remains valid in Texas, but the network may not include Austin providers. Weigh COBRA cost versus a marketplace plan with local network access.

Dental, Vision, and Supplemental Insurance

Standalone dental insurance in Texas averages $25 to $50 per month for individuals and $75 to $150 for household plans. Major carriers include Delta Dental, Cigna, Humana, and Guardian. Most plans cover preventive care at 100%, basic procedures at 80%, and major procedures at 50%, with annual maximums of $1,000 to $2,000.

Vision insurance runs $10 to $25 per month and typically covers annual exams, plus allowances toward glasses or contacts. VSP and EyeMed are the largest networks in Austin.

Supplemental insurance products (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity) have become more popular in Austin as high-deductible health plans proliferate. These policies pay fixed cash amounts upon qualifying events, helping cover deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. Aflac, Colonial Life, and Unum are common providers in the market.

Healthcare for Seniors and Retirees

Austin ranks well for senior healthcare access, with multiple hospital systems, a growing network of geriatric specialists, and strong Medicare Advantage plan competition that keeps premiums low (averaging $7.26 per month for MA plans in 2026).

Key resources for seniors:

• AGE of Central Texas: Operates adult day health centers, caregiver support programs, and senior activity centers across the metro.
• Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area: Free Medicare counseling through the SHIP program, caregiver support, benefits screening, and care coordination.
• Meals on Wheels Central Texas: Home-delivered meals and wellness checks for homebound seniors.
• Capital Metro Access: Paratransit service for individuals with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route transit, including medical appointment transportation.

For the complete guide to retiring in Austin and the Hill Country, including 55+ communities, property tax freezes, and cost analysis, see the dedicated retirement guide.

Pharmacies and Prescription Access

Austin’s pharmacy landscape is dominated by H-E-B Pharmacy, which operates inside nearly every H-E-B grocery store across the metro. H-E-B consistently offers the most competitive generic drug pricing in the region, with many common generics priced at $4 to $10 for a 30-day supply without insurance. CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart Pharmacy round out the retail pharmacy options, with locations in every major corridor.

Costco Pharmacy (membership not required to fill prescriptions) often matches or beats H-E-B on generic pricing. For specialty medications, Genoa Healthcare operates pharmacies inside several CommUnityCare locations, and PharMerica provides specialty pharmacy services through the hospital systems.

Prescription discount programs like GoodRx, RxSaver, and Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs have strong adoption in Austin, particularly among residents with high-deductible plans. Cost Plus Drugs ships nationwide at near-wholesale prices plus a flat $5 pharmacy fee, and its transparent pricing model has made it popular with cost-conscious Austin buyers. For controlled substances and medications requiring in-person pickup, local independent pharmacies like Tarrytown Pharmacy and 38th Street Pharmacy offer personalized service and compounding capabilities.

Wellness, Fitness, and Preventive Health

Austin’s outdoor culture supports preventive health in ways that are harder to quantify but genuinely affect quality of life. The city has more than 300 parks, 30 miles of urban trails along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, and year-round access to outdoor fitness. Ed Neuhaus, broker of Neuhaus Realty Group, points out that Austin’s fitness culture is a tangible health benefit for residents. “Buyers moving from colder climates consistently tell us that being able to run, bike, or swim outdoors 10 or 11 months a year changed their health habits. The Hill Country trails, Barton Springs, and Lady Bird Lake are not just amenities. They are part of the healthcare infrastructure.”

Gym memberships in Austin range from $10 to $30 per month for budget chains (Planet Fitness, Crunch) to $150 to $300 per month for boutique studios (Orange Theory, Barry’s, SoulCycle, F45). The Greater Austin YMCA operates eight locations with sliding-fee memberships based on income and offers community health programs including diabetes prevention, cancer survivor fitness, and youth wellness.

Austin’s preventive health resources also include free community health screenings through CommUnityCare, seasonal flu shot clinics at H-E-B Pharmacy locations, and the Austin Public Health department’s immunization clinics. Central Health, the local healthcare district for Travis County, funds preventive care programs targeting chronic disease management, maternal health, and substance use treatment.

Veterinary Note for Pet Owners

Austin is one of the most pet-friendly cities in the country, and veterinary care infrastructure reflects that. Emergency veterinary hospitals include Austin Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center (AVES), MedVet Austin, and Emergency Pet Care of Texas, all offering 24/7 emergency services. Standard veterinary visits run $50 to $75 for exams, with specialist visits at $150 to $300+. Pet insurance (Healthy Paws, Trupanion, Embrace) has become increasingly common among Austin pet owners, with premiums averaging $30 to $70 per month depending on breed and coverage level.

Getting Started with Healthcare in Austin

Whether you are relocating from another state, aging into Medicare, or simply looking for a new primary care physician, here is a practical starting checklist:

1. Verify insurance coverage: Confirm your plan’s network includes Austin-area hospitals and providers. If moving, use your 60-day Special Enrollment Period to switch plans if needed.
2. Establish primary care: Austin Regional Clinic, CommUnityCare, and all four hospital systems accept new patients. Wait times for new-patient primary care appointments average 1 to 3 weeks.
3. Transfer medical records: Request records from your prior providers before moving. Most systems accept electronic transfers via CommonWell or Carequality health information exchanges.
4. Locate your nearest ER and urgent care: Know the difference (and the price difference) before an emergency happens.
5. Set up a pharmacy: H-E-B Pharmacy, CVS, Walgreens, and Costco Pharmacy all have extensive Austin coverage. H-E-B often has the most competitive generic drug pricing.
6. Register for patient portals: MyChart (Ascension, ARC), MyBSWHealth (Baylor), and St. David’s patient portal give you appointment access, lab results, and telehealth options from day one.

Austin’s healthcare system has grown from a mid-tier regional market into a legitimate medical destination, anchored by academic medicine, competitive hospital systems, and a cost structure that runs below the national average. The $1 billion Dell investment signals that the trajectory is still accelerating. For homebuyers, the healthcare map should be part of every neighborhood evaluation, right alongside schools, commute times, and property taxes. For a personalized walkthrough of Austin neighborhoods that match your healthcare, lifestyle, and budget priorities, connect with Neuhaus Realty Group.