Austin Radiological Association

The staff at ARA were great! The billing office is a nightmare. After paying their bill in full, I received a late notice in November 2014 for $ 200.00. I called to inquire about the additional bill and I was promised an explanation in the mail. I paid the $ 200.00. I never received an accounting report or any explanation. They did return my check with a note that my account was paid in full. In January, I again received a late notice. I contacted them and I was told I had a zero balance. I received a letter a week or so later threatening to turn me into the collection agency. I sent another $ 200.00 payment. They again returned my check with a note on ARA letterhead stating I had a zero balance. In the meantime, I sent ARA business office two certified letters, return receipt explaining my experience and I included a copy of my checks along with their letter stating I have a zero balance. I received no reply.
Several months later, I received a telephone call at my place of work from a collection agency regarding the $ 200.00. I informed them that I had a cancelled check and letter from ARA stating I had a zero balance. I faxed both to them. They said my account would be corrected.
I ran my credit report last week and I found a collection account from ARA for $ 200.00. I have called them with a promise of a return call and I have not received one yet. I have sent yet another letter to them certified mail return receipt.
I have gone thru 1.5 years of medical treatments and I have sold my home to pay off every single bill. For ARA to turn me into the collection agencies is unbelievable.
The accounting office does a disservice to the medical staff at ARA because after going thru what I have I cannot recommend ARA to anyone.

I had the same experience as Chip regarding their payment and collection policy. I work in the healthcare/​dental industry and we WORK with our patients. We allow payments, we have forgiveness if they miss a payment and IF they are truly trying, accounts are months, if not years out. I had an MRI in March. The insurance responded in April. I made 1 payment in May and by July1, my account was turned over to their collection agency because they did not hear from me for one month. They were unwilling to work with me on payments and would ONLY accept full payment. If I have to have another x-​ray, I will request another imaging center. I don’t want to EVER go back to them.

I took my son for a test, expecting that it was going to be a long, stressful and miserable experience for a child who fears having an MRI. What actually happened was not at all like that.
The waiting area is clean, bright and open for kids to play or move around. The ladies at the front desk were all friendly and don’t mind loud kids. Which to me, is good because it be stressful to keep your kids in check but when they cry or spill water, the last thing you need is a glare from a receptionist. These ladies were nice.
My son is very fearful of testing, especially one that includes sedation, needles and loud sounds. From the moment we were taken to a colorful, kids themed jungle room, we met nurses Tom and Vanessa.
They were so friendly, patient and attentive to my son’s every need and concern. Everything was thoroughly explained on his level, they made things fun and even when he was going to get an IV catheter, they used numbing cream to avoid him feeling the stick of a needle. They never rushed him and kept his safety and security a top priority. During the MRI, nurse Tom stayed with him and monitored him very closely to ensure he was safe and secure. Afterwards, he was given snacks and drinks, even a nice prize for doing so well.
This could have been very traumatic for a 6 year old but he actually enjoyed the experience and was proud of how well he handles it. The next day he brought his scan to school along with a few extras for show and tell. That morning he told me for the first time ever, he liked doctors (anyone in scrubs is a doctor to him) and that he wants to be a doctor one day. It was the best thing next to hearing I love you that I have ever heard. He finally got over his fears and I attribute this to his caring nurses and also his MRI tech. Thank you for being so great and making a latest impact on a child and family!

Four weeks after an MRI, I got a nasty call from a collection agency. I had yet to receive a statement! ARA claimed a «computer error» for the referral to collections.
Even though I’ve been making regular monthly payments on my balance due, I’ve received three letters and several phone calls from collection agencies seeking to collect.
These people add stress to an already stressful situation.

We took our 4-​month-​old infant for 2 series of imaging at ARA’s Barbara Jordan location.
We both knew, from experience, how painful this type of imaging would be + there would be little or no anesthesia since he was an infant.
In short, this was a very emotionally trying event for us.
Everyone there was great — friendly, compasionate, smart and efficient.
But I especially want to call out the radiography techs who, through their careful yet fast execution of the tests minimized the pain involved and got the necessary information as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your excellent work. It is greatly appreciated.