Oscar 2024 Update:

ARC WILL NOT BE IN NETWORK with Oscar insurance after December 31, 2023.

Be sure you stay with your ARC doctors by choosing one of the plans accepted by ARC in 2024:

Open enrollment begins November 1 for the Health Insurance Marketplace. You can see all insurance plans accepted by ARC at ARCinsuranceinfo.com.

Masking policy

Patients, help us protect our high-risk patients - please wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms, a positive COVID-19 test, or COVID-19 exposure.

Effective 3/13/23, ARC transitions to optional masking for our staff and physicians, with required masking during specific situations. Read more.

DON’T WAIT — Renew or Update!

If you don’t respond to renewal or information requests from HHS, you could lose your coverage.

Attention Medicaid recipients: It’s time to renew! Look for notices from HHSC in YELLOW envelopes that say "ACTION REQUIRED" in RED lettering, or sent electronically to members who signed up for electronic notices.

Complete and return renewal packets and requests for information on time. Contact HHSC to report any changes (such as contact information, pregnancy, or household changes) as soon as possible.

No longer qualified for Medicaid?

Children:
Most kids can still be covered through the Children’s Health Insurance Program / CHIP. For details, check your Medicaid notice or call 800-964-2777.

Adults:
Adults may be able to get financial assistance to pay for a health insurance plan through the health insurance Marketplace. To apply, visit www.healthcare.gov or call 800-318-2596.

Update your information at YourTexasBenefits.com or call 2-1-1 and select option 2.

NO ESPERE ¡Renueve o actualice!

Si no responde a las solicitudes de renovación o de información de la HHSC, podría perder su cobertura.

Atención beneficiarios de Medicaid: ¡Es momento de renovar sus beneficios! Esté atento a los avisos de renovación enviados por correo postal en sobres AMARILLOS que dicen “ACCIÓN REQUERIDA” en rojo, o por correo electrónico a quienes se inscribieron para recibir avisos electrónicos.

Llene y envíe los paquetes de renovación y las solicitudes de información a tiempo. Comuníquese con la HHSC para reportar cualquier cambio (como información de contacto, si hay un embarazo y cambios en el hogar) lo antes posible.

¿No califica más para Medicaid?

Niños:
La mayoría de los niños todavía pueden obtener cobertura a través del Programa de seguro médico para niños/CHIP. Para obtener más detalles, consulte su aviso de Medicaid o llame al 800-964-2777.

Adultos:
Los adultos pueden obtener cobertura del Mercado de seguros médicos. Visite www.healthcare.gov o llame al 800-318-2596.

Actualice su información en YourTexasBenefits.com o llame al 2-1-1 y seleccione la opción 2.

COVID-19 vaccine update - 11/27/23

ARC has a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer for ages 6 months and up. Patients can request the vaccine at already-scheduled visits. You can also schedule online at MyChartARC.com or call 512-272-4636. If online scheduling is not available, please check back frequently as COVID vaccine quantities change.

MyChart Login Help Me Book

Flu FAQs

Updated 10/18/2023

Download Flu FAQs 

Seasonal Flu: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Can I be given the COVID vaccine, first or additional doses, along with the flu vaccine?

    Yes, it is safe and effective to be given both. For comfort and monitoring, you will be given one injection in each extremity.

  • What can I do to protect myself and my family against the flu?

    By far, the single most important preventive measure is to get vaccinated each fall.

  • When should I get a flu vaccination?

    The CDC recommends that people get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available in their community. Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September and continue throughout the flu season, which can last as late as May.

  • How long does it take for the flu vaccine to become effective?

    It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu. In the meantime, you are still at risk for getting the flu. That’s why it’s better to get vaccinated early in the fall, before the flu season really gets under way.

  • What are similarities between the flu and COVID-19?

    Both COVID-19 and flu can have varying degrees of signs and symptoms, ranging from no symptoms (asymptomatic) to severe symptoms. Common symptoms that COVID-19 and flu share include:

    • Fever or feeling feverish/chills
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue (tiredness)
    • Sore throat
    • Runny or stuffy nose
    • Muscle pain or body aches
    • Headache
    • Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea

    Signs and symptoms of COVID-19, different from flu, may include change in or loss of taste or smell.

    Click here to read more.

  • How can I tell if I have a cold, flu, allergies, or COVID-19?

    A stuffy nose, sore throat, and a cough are all common symptoms. While there are subtle ways to help you distinguish between cold, flu, and allergies, COVID-19 is less predictable. No matter what may be slowing you down, we recommend extra caution this season. Stay home if you are not feeling well to avoid spreading any virus you may be carrying. Book an in-clinic or telemedicine visit if your symptoms worsen, if you want a flu or COVID-19 test, or if you have other health concerns.

  • If I get the flu vaccine early in the season, will I still be protected late in the season?

    The flu vaccine provides protection for the entire season against the influenza strains contained in the vaccine. Studies do not show that it is beneficial to receive more than one dose of vaccine during a flu season.

  • Why should people get vaccinated against the flu?

    Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and the flu can affect people differently. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others.

  • Why do I need to get vaccinated against the flu every year?

    Flu viruses change from year to year, which means two things. First, you can get the flu more than once during your lifetime. Second, a vaccine made against flu viruses circulating last year may not protect against the newer viruses. That is why the influenza vaccine is updated to include current viruses every year. Another reason to get the flu vaccine every year is that after you get vaccinated, your immunity declines over time and may be too low to provide protection after a year.

  • How do flu vaccines work?

    Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body. These antibodies provide protection against the viruses that are in the vaccine.

  • Who should get vaccinated?

    Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended universal flu vaccination to expand protection against the flu to more people.

    While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important that the following groups get vaccinated because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications:

    • Children younger than five, especially younger than two years old
    • Adults 65 years of age and older
    • Pregnant women and women up to two weeks post-partum
    • People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
    • People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
    • People living with or caring for those at high risk for complications from flu

  • What flu viruses are included in the 2023–2024 flu vaccine?

    • Quadrivalent vaccine (QIV): protects against four viruses including two influenza A viruses (an H1N1 and an H3N2) and two influenza B viruses.

  • What types of flu vaccines are available at ARC?

    Flu vaccines offered

    ARC offers seasonal flu shots that protect against four influenza viruses that research suggests may be most common during the upcoming season. These are called Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccines (QIV). ARC offers the standard dose shot, a preservative-free shot and high-dose shot this year.

    • Fluzone standard dose: Approved for ages 6 months and older.
    • Fluzone preservative-free: Approved for pregnant women and ages 6 months and older.
    • Fluzone high dose: Approved for ages 65 years and older.