How to Choose a Primary Care Doctor in Austin
How do I choose a primary care doctor in Austin?
Start by identifying your real needs—like same-day access, longer visits, or menopause care. Ask how the practice handles appointments, follow-up, and coordination. For many adults, concierge practices like Elevated Health offer greater access, continuity, and personalized support through midlife and beyond.
Last Reviewed: September 09, 2025
When comparing options for a primary care doctor in Austin, you are essentially asking two questions. Who will take excellent care of me today, and who will be a reliable partner as my needs change over time? The right primary care physician understands your history, coordinates care when you need specialists, and makes access simple enough that you actually use the care you have.
Start with your real-world needs
Before you look at websites, list the situations you want your doctor to handle well. Common priorities in Austin include:
Same or next day appointments, so urgent questions do not turn into urgent care visits
Longer visits that allow time to talk through symptoms, history, and options
Clear follow-up after labs and imaging, with coordination to local specialists when needed
Menopause and midlife care that is evidence-based and practical
Options for virtual visits when you are traveling or pressed for time
A location that is easy to reach from Rollingwood, Lost Creek, Tarrytown, and the Bee Caves Road corridor
Concierge practices are designed to prioritize these aspects by limiting panel size and focusing on access and continuity. At Elevated Health, patients have same-day or next-day scheduling, direct ways to reach the physician between visits, and help coordinating outside tests and referrals.
What to ask on a discovery call
Use a short call to confirm fit. Here are focused questions that reveal how the practice actually works.
How quickly can I be seen when something comes up? Ask about same or next day access, how after hours questions are handled, and whether virtual visits are available for straightforward concerns.
How long are visits? Unhurried appointments are a hallmark of concierge care, making a significant difference for complex or new issues.
How do I reach my doctor between visits? Look for secure messaging and direct phone access rather than generic portals and phone trees.
Who coordinates labs, imaging, and specialist care. Strong primary care closes the loop so you are not stuck chasing results or referrals.
How does billing work? Membership covers access and office visits in a concierge practice. Labs, imaging, vaccines, and specialist care are billed separately, often to your insurance. You should maintain insurance for non-membership services.
What is the practice’s experience with midlife women’s health? If hot flashes, sleep changes, or cycle shifts are part of the picture, ask about menopause training and options for both hormonal and nonhormonal treatment. Dr. Sonia Durairaj is a Menopause Society-certified practitioner, indicating additional training in this area.
Access and logistics matter
A practice can be clinically excellent yet challenging to interact with. Confirm the basics that make care practical:
Location and parking. Elevated Health is located at 3811 Bee Caves Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78746, convenient to the surrounding neighborhoods.
Call and office hours. Check whether posted hours align with your schedule and how after-hours concerns are routed. Elevated Health lists office hours and a direct practice phone number at 512-759-6033.
Follow-up systems. Ask how and when results are returned, and whether you can message the physician with questions afterward. Concierge practices emphasize direct communication, ensuring that answers do not get lost in a queue.
Coordination is the difference maker
Excellent primary care is more than a single visit. When you need a mammogram, bone density scan, cardiology evaluation, or pelvic floor therapy, coordination determines whether you get timely answers with minimal hassle. Concierge practices like Elevated Health help arrange outside testing, share pertinent records, and close the loop when results arrive. That coordination reduces repeat testing and prevents minor issues from lingering.
Fit for midlife and women’s health
If you are in your 40s or 50s, you may be juggling cycle changes, sleep disruption, brain fog, weight shifts, or genitourinary symptoms. A primary care physician who is also trained in menopause care can streamline decisions and reduce referrals. Dr. Durairaj is a board-certified internist and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner who focuses on women’s midlife health within a comprehensive internal medicine practice. You can expect evidence-informed counseling on lifestyle, menopausal hormone therapy when appropriate, and nonhormonal options when that is the better fit.
Understand the model you are choosing
In a traditional insurance-based clinic, larger patient panels and brief appointments are the norm. In a concierge model, a membership fee funds smaller panels and enhanced access, which translates to same-day or next-day visits, longer appointment times, and direct lines of communication with your physician. Elevated Health details membership structure and services on its site, including visit access, communication tools, and how outside services are billed separately from membership.
If you already have a trusted primary care physician but want targeted midlife support, Elevated Health also offers a Women’s Health and Menopause Membership designed to complement your existing PCP. If you are seeking a single medical home, the Internal Medicine membership offers comprehensive adult primary care within a concierge framework.
A quick checklist for comparing doctors in Westlake Hills
Use this simple list as you narrow your choices.
Same or next day appointments for urgent needs
Visit length that supports careful listening and shared decisions
Direct messaging with the physician for questions between visits
Clear plan for follow-up on labs and imaging
Coordination with local specialists and imaging centers
Menopause informed care for midlife needs when relevant
Transparent membership details and billing for outside services
Convenient location on or near Bee Caves Road with straightforward parking
Positive rapport on a discovery call or meet and greet
If a practice meets most of these criteria and you feel understood in the first conversation, you are on the right track.
Why many Austin patients choose Elevated Health
Patients who prioritize access, time, and coordination often find that a concierge practice offers better day-to-day usability. Elevated Health centers unhurried visits, same or next day availability, and direct communication with Dr. Durairaj so you can address concerns early and avoid unnecessary urgent care visits. The office coordinates labs and referrals and follows through after results return. The practice sits on Bee Caves Road in Austin and serves adults from nearby neighborhoods who want a long-term primary care relationship.
Take the next step with a short conversation
Choosing a primary care doctor in Austin is easier once you talk to the team and hear how the practice handles scheduling, communication, and coordination. If you want care that is easy to reach and built around your real life, schedule a discovery call with Elevated Health. You can also request a meet and greet through the website or call 512-759-6033 to speak with the office. Confirm your priorities, get answers to your questions, and decide whether membership is the right fit for you.
