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Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing a new physician, especially for ongoing hormonal or metabolic care, comes with important questions. Here are answers to some of the things patients ask most often about our practice, our membership model, and what it feels like to receive care here.
Frequently asked questions
Direct specialty care — sometimes called concierge endocrinology — is a membership-based model that allows patients to work directly with their physician without the limitations of traditional insurance-driven visits. Instead of rushed appointments and long delays, patients receive longer visits, ongoing support, and direct access to their endocrinologist through a flat monthly membership.
This practice does not bill insurance for membership visits or ongoing care. By stepping outside the insurance model, Dr. Williamson is able to provide more time, access, and personalized attention to each patient. Patients may still use insurance for medications, labs, imaging, or outside services when applicable.
The practice cares for adults with a wide range of endocrine and metabolic conditions, including diabetes, thyroid disorders, PCOS, perimenopause and menopause, obesity, osteoporosis, insulin resistance, adrenal disorders, pituitary disorders, and more.
New patient evaluations and follow-up visits are typically. Appointments are intentionally longer than traditional endocrine visits, so there is time to fully understand symptoms, history, labs, lifestyle, and goals. Care is designed around thoughtful problem-solving — not rushing through a checklist.
Yes. Patients have direct access to Dr. Williamson between appointments for questions, symptom changes, medication adjustments, and ongoing support. Some of the most important care happens between visits, and this model makes room for that.
Yes. Online (telehealth) visits are available to patients anywhere in Texas for many appointments, making it easier for patients across Texas to receive consistent endocrine care without unnecessary travel.
Traditional endocrine care is often limited by short visits, long wait times, and fragmented communication. This practice is built around continuity, partnership, and proactive care — giving patients direct access to a physician who knows their story and has time to think deeply about their care.
Yes. Many patients come to the practice feeling frustrated because their symptoms have been dismissed despite ongoing fatigue, weight changes, hormonal symptoms, or brain fog. Dr. Williamson looks at the full clinical picture — not just isolated lab values.
Labs and imaging are not included in the membership fee, but the practice has partnered with laboratories and imaging centers to provide deeply discounted cash-pay pricing whenever possible.
This practice is ideal for patients who want a more thoughtful, connected approach to endocrine care — especially those who feel rushed, unheard, or frustrated by traditional healthcare settings and want a true partnership with their physician.
At Shelley Williamson, MD, PLLC, pricing is fully transparent: every new patient begins with a one-time $500 Comprehensive Endocrine Evaluation, and ongoing membership is $325 per month (or $3,600 per year), covering visits, direct physician access, lab review, and care coordination. Labs and imaging are billed separately at deeply discounted cash-pay rates.
No. Because the practice does not bill insurance, no referral is required — you can schedule directly with Dr. Williamson. Patients in insurance-based practices often need a primary care referral and face long waits for a specialist; here, the first step is simply reaching out.
Concierge practices typically charge an annual retainer and still bill your insurance for each visit. Direct specialty care removes insurance billing entirely — one transparent membership fee covers your ongoing care, with no claims, no copays, and no surprise bills.
Yes, in most cases. HSA and FSA funds may typically be used for membership fees and visit costs — we recommend confirming with your plan administrator. CareCredit and all major credit cards are also accepted, and superbills are available on request for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
Once you are a member, same-day or next-day appointments are available when clinically appropriate.

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