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.

Renewing Medicaid Coverage Update

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government declared a public health emergency (PHE) and passed a law that allowed you to automatically keep your Medicaid coverage (continuous Medicaid). Based on the new federal law, continuous Medicaid eligibility will end on March 31, 2023, so you need to renew your benefits when it’s time to ensure your coverage will continue if you are eligible.

Patients should look for notices from HHSC in YELLOW envelopes that say "ACTION REQUIRED" in RED lettering. Notices will come in the mail and/or via portal if clients chose electronic notices. They should respond quickly when they receive it.

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

Read more

Actualización Sobre Renovando la Cobertura de Medicaid 

Como respuesta a la pandemia de COVID-19, el gobierno federal declaró una Emergencia de Salud Pública (PHE, por sus siglas en inglés) y aprobó una ley que le permitió a usted mantener automáticamente su cobertura de Medicaid (cobertura continua de Medicaid). Según la nueva ley federal, la elegibilidad para la cobertura continua de Medicaid se terminará el 31 de marzo, de 2023, por eso necesita renovar sus beneficios cuando se llegue el momento para asegurar que su cobertura va a continuar si usted todavía es elegible.

Pacientes deben buscar avisos de la HHSC en sobres AMARILLOS con el texto “ACCIÓN REQUERIDA” en letras ROJAS. Los avisos llegarán por correo y/o a través del portal en línea si los clientes eligieron recibir avisos electrónicos. Deberían responder con rapidez cuando lo reciban. 

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

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Ideal Protein

Woman preparing a healthy meal to reach her weight loss and health goals

What is Ideal Protein

Ideal Protein is a medically supervised meal replacement program consisting of partial meal replacements, vitamin and mineral supplements, and conventional food. This weight loss program includes monthly follow-ups with a physician or nurse practitioner based on the individual’s situation and weekly health guide check-in.

Patients must receive medical clearance from a Healthiness physician or nurse practitioner before starting the program.

Phases of Ideal Protein program

  • Phase 1: Ideal Protein meal replacement for breakfast, lunch, and snack with dinner of lean protein and select vegetables.
  • Phase 2: Ideal Protein meal replacement for breakfast and snack with lunch and dinner of lean protein and select vegetables.
  • Phase 3: Complex carbohydrates are introduced for breakfast with lean protein and select vegetables for lunch and dinner. Ideal protein product for a snack.
  • Phase 4: Balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, and leafy green vegetables for all meals and snacks. Ideal Protein products can be used for snack or breakfast.

Phase 1 Ideal Protein daily food intake

During phase 1 of the Ideal Protein program, you will be expected to intake the following amounts of food daily:

  • 3 Ideal Protein items (purchased from ARC)
  • 4 cups of select vegetables
  • 3 - 6oz cooked lean protein (self-purchased)
  • 2 tsp oil (self-purchased)
  • As much or as little ‘unlimited vegetables’ (self-purchased)

As you progress, you will move to phases 2, 3, and 4 as instructed by your health guide. Each phase will remove meal replacements and add more conventional food.

Daily vitamin and mineral supplement intake

Daily vitamin and mineral supplement intake for the Ideal Protein program:

  • Calcium Magnesium - 4 pills OR 2 chews per day

  • Ideal Salt - 1/4 tsp per day OR Sea Salt (self-purchased)

  • Multi-Vitamin - 2 per day

  • Omega-3 Plus - 2 per day

  • Potassium - 1 per day**


**If you are taking diuretics, you will be instructed by your physician/NP to skip Potassium and Ideal Salt and instead take ¼ tsp of Redmond’s salt**

Ideal Protein pricing

Cost and fee frequency for the Ideal Protein program at ARC:

  • Enrollment fee - Paid 1 time unless you stop coming in for two years and want to restart
  • Meal replacements & supplements - paid for on an as-needed basis
  • Medical services with physician/ NP, including labs/EKG - billed to your insurance plan and subject to your policy copays, deductibles, etc
  • Health guide visits - no charge

The cost of Ideal Protein will offset your normal grocery bill as much of your daily intake is Ideal Protein meal replacements purchased from the clinic, and you are only purchasing lean protein and vegetables from the grocery store.

First appointment cost examples

Out-of-pocket costs and fees for your first Ideal Protein appointment, in addition to medical costs, include:

  • Enrollment fee - $150 one-time fee

Supply pricing

  • Starter bag - $135

Supplements (30-day supply)

Total supplement costs add up to $101. Here's the breakdown:

  • Cal mag - $22

  • Potassium (60-day supply) - $12

  • Omega 3 (30-day supply) - $32

  • Multivitamin (30-day supply) - $30

  • Ideal Salt (roughly 1-year supply) - $5

This also includes co-payment or medical costs.

Ongoing appointment cost examples

After your first appointment, costs may include 3 Ideal Protein Items per day. Breaking down to:

  • $429/30 days or
  • $107/7 days or
  • $15/1 day

Supplements are only purchased every 30-60 days.

Keep in mind your grocery bill will decrease significantly as you only need to purchase conventional protein and select unlimited vegetables.

Medical services and billing

In-network insurance billing

  • If your insurance is in network with ARC, monthly doctor visits will be billed to your insurance on file. You will be responsible for copays and anything your insurance does not cover.

Out-of-network insurance billing

  • If your insurance is out of network or your claim is denied, you are eligible for the medical services self-pay discount. Please call our billing office for details at 512-407-8686.

Insurance coverage

Insurance coverage varies depending on your policy. Some plans may cover the cost of the doctor visits, lab work, and EKG minus copay.

ARC cannot bill insurance for Ideal Protein products or enrollment fees.