The grand opening of New Braunfels ER & Hospital, 3221 Commercial Circle, New Braunfels, is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Marketing Director Loretta Rodriguez said the event features a bounce house and glitter tattoos for kids, balloon artists, the chance to explore an ambulance and fire truck — and possibly a helicopter landing nearby.
The 13-bed concierge hospital is owned by Houston-based NuTex Health but operated by New Braunfels physicians Trey Allen and Scott Knepper. They wanted to create a hospital offering round-the-clock, concierge-level, quality emergency care with short wait times in a comfortable and inviting environment.
“We are very excited to be opening our new facility as New Braunfels’ only micro-hospital of its kind,” Allen said. “Entering the medical field, my goal has always been to try revolutionizing the way healthcare is delivered for our patients. This concept allows physicians and nurses to retake control of patient care rather than responding to pressure from government regulations or financial motivation of private equity investors. Our unique model allows us to treat our patients as people rather than simply metrics to meet.”
The facility’s focus is on minimizing wait times to be seen by a board-certified emergency physician with improved nursing ratios, rapid diagnostic test results, and amenities not commonly found in most hospital emergency rooms, he said.
Although the hospital offers high-end meals prepared by area restaurants, administrators also will work with patients who worry about the cost.
“As someone raising a family in New Braunfels, I’m excited to offer my community a place to care for patients of all ages comfortably and effectively while focusing on cost-efficient medicine,” Allen said. “Nobody should have to fear financial struggles to address their healthcare needs. We are committed to working with the community to make sure they can receive the healthcare they deserve.”
Rodriguez said those who come in with health insurance will be asked to make their ER co-pay and New Braunfels ER & Hospital will bill the insurance company.
If the insurance company declines to pay the full amount the patient will not be responsible for the balance. This practice is known as balance billing.
“That’s one of the great things we can do here as being privately owned,” she said. The hospital also offers low self-pay rates for the uninsured.
“If you want to come in and get seen and don’t have money we will do a free screening exam to make sure you are stable,” she said. Patients will be informed of other options available to them.
Rodriguez said no emergency is too minor or too major for the facility to handle.
Services provided, treatments and amenities include:
- Remdesivir treatment for COVID-19
- Auto injury
- Workers compensation
- CT machine
- Onsite pharmacy
- Cardiac monitoring and EKG
- IV fluids
- Stitches, splints and crutches
- Abdominal and chest pain
- Allergic reaction
- Asthma
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever, cough, flu
- Fractures
- Lacerations and injuries
- Headaches and head injuries
- Diarrhea, headache. vomiting and dehydration
