Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act plans available through HealthCare.gov is from November 1 to January 15. Keep your ARC care team by choosing from insurance plans we accept: Aetna, Ambetter, Blue Cross, Blue Advantage, MyBlue, Moda, Sendero, and UnitedHealthcare Exchange Plan.
All insurance plans accepted by ARC, including government plans, are listed online at ARCInsuranceInfo.com.
Eligible U.S. residents can apply for and make changes to their Medicare plans from October 15 – December 7. Medicare is a health insurance plan for people ages 65 and up, or those with certain conditions or disabilities. It is important to know your options and pick a plan that lets you keep your ARC care team.
Medicare patients at ARC are 7.5% less likely to use the ER than other patients across the nation.
Tips for patients
If you have received a letter from UnitedHealthcare (UHC) stating that any of the providers listed below are out-of-network, please be informed that refers to their former practice. The following physicians and APC remain in-network at ARC, and you may continue seeing them without any changes to your coverage:
Austin Regional Clinic (ARC) doctors, staff, and leadership are committed to providing our community with high quality convenient care. One of the ways we demonstrate this priority is through our online transparency.
You can review our provider ratings and comments on our web site with the confidence that they are all based on verified visits. We post all patient feedback relevant to the entire visit and only refrain from posting comments that are libelous, profane, or those that risk the privacy of our patients.
The below guide provides details about how we collect and share our patient feedback.
ARC partnered with Press Ganey to collect patient feedback about their doctor’s visit. We gather feedback from text surveys that are sent after the visit. Press Ganey is an independent third party customer feedback company that provides the technology to collect the feedback and display ratings and comments on our web site. All ratings are submitted by actual patients and verified by ARC.
Patients for whom we have a mobile phone number receive a text survey within two hours of checking in for their visit. Patients are asked to complete the survey and provide ratings and comments regarding their experience at different touch points of their visit. We use this feedback to recognize doctors and staff, identify issues we can correct, and enhance our care.
ARC posts all positive and negative patient feedback that is relevant to the entire visit. We refrain from posting comments that are libelous, profane, or those that risk the privacy of our patients.
ARC asks questions that touch on the overall patient experience related to their visit. Anyone seeking detailed information about each question can view the ratings for each specific question on the Reviews tab on the provider bio page on the website. We calculate our provider star ratings based on the responses to question number six below. We calculate our location star ratings based on the responses to all the below questions.
Since more recent data provides a more accurate picture, we require a minimum of 30 patient surveys per doctor in the last 12 months before we post a physician’s rating.
ARC physicians and staff review all comments and act to rectify issues. Since the purpose of the feedback is to allow us to improve the overall patient experience, we display the last 90 days of comments which are the most relevant for the practice.
No. Only patients having an outpatient visit by an ARC physician receive a survey. The results are based entirely from patients who have actually been treated by the physician in our clinics.
Comments are reviewed and approved prior to being published to the website. If a comment contains any personally identifiable information, that information will be removed from the comment.
Accepting new patients ARC Center Street Ages seen: 13 - 99 Languages: Spanish Joined ARC: 2022
Dr. Cowden was raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. When he is not at work, Dr. Cowden enjoys spending time with his friends in Austin, including hiking the Greenbelt, paddleboarding Lake Austin, catching concerts, and trying new restaurants and watering holes. He says he loves sports – “particularly college basketball (Go Tar Heels!),” and skiing. Among his favorite area locales are Barking Springs, “anywhere along the Greenbelt,” New Braunfels, and Gruene.
I began my career in public health as an epidemiologist, conducting public health research with multiple organizations. Thinking about disease at the population level inspired an interest in taking care of patients, so I entered medical school. I was drawn to women’s health because I can serve women with a diverse set of medical needs across all stages of life. Obstetrics and gynecology also allows me to use my public health experience and skills to address health disparities and participate in health advocacy. I listen to the concerns and needs of my patients and offer solutions that are grounded in evidence-based medicine. I strive to create an environment in which patients feel heard and supported so that I may best help them make decisions for their health most consistent with their desires and values.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), adolescents should have their first routine gynecologic visit between ages 13 and 15 years old, which includes an introduction to the gynecologist and general health counseling, as well as discussion of any concerns.
The annual gynecological exam is a yearly preventative and diagnostic examination that helps monitor any ongoing physical or hormonal conditions. The examination typically includes a routine breast and pelvic exam, and may include a screening for sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
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Contraception (birth control) is any activity, medicine, or equipment used to prevent pregnancy. There are many types of birth control available for women who do not wish to become pregnant. The choice of a birth control method is a complex decision; ARC provids information and supporting patients' decision-making about birth control methods through contraceptive counseling.
A gynecologist sees patients of all ages for a wide variety of health issues, including pap tests, menopause, UTIs, birth control, well-checks, and STD testing and treatment.
Obstetrical care is a term used to describe the management of both normal and complicated pregnancy as well as the delivery and postpartum periods.
Endometrial ablation is a procedure to remove a thin layer of tissue (endometrium) that lines the uterus. It's done to stop or reduce heavy menstrual bleeding.
Fertility care at ARC focuses on monitoring, maintaining, and restoring your reproductive and gynecological health.
Flu vaccine can help prevent a flu-related visits to the doctor each year. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated every flu season.
Genetic screening is the process of testing for a genetic disorders that may be passed to offspring.
A high-risk pregnancy is one where the mother or the fetus has an increased risk of adverse outcomes compared to uncomplicated pregnancies.
Hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus. In some cases, other parts of the reproductive system may be removed.
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a T-shaped birth control device inserted in the uterus to help prevent pregnancy.
IUD insertions are scheduled at your ARC Ob/Gyn’s office.
Your comfort and well-being are our priority. At ARC, we offer a wide range of pain management options for gynecologic and obstetric procedures, including ibuprofen, topical lidocaine, paracervical blocks, and nitrous oxide delivery via a mask (not available at all locations;please check with your local clinic).
For procedures requiring pain management, our care team will carefully review your medical history and consider your personal preferences to recommend the most appropriate pain management option for you.
For your convenience and to provide you with the best care, ARC Ob/Gyn doctors are credentialed to deliver at a hospital near your clinic location.
An ARC Ob/Gyn physician can help treat menopause symptoms and help prevent osteoporosis and will work with you to recommend lifestyle changes and possibly medicine.
Nexplanon is a hormonal contraceptive implant designed to provide long-term birth control for individuals.
Getting regular preventive care and screenings may help find cancer and other health risks early, when they are most treatable and more treatment options are available.
Your ARC doctor will show you what to expect and how to manage soreness and discharge, soreness, mood changes, and more after delivery.
Prenatal care provides the best care for you and your unborn child. It also helps prepare you for the delivery of a healthy baby.
If you're planning to become pregnant, you want to take the best care of you and your baby to help reduce risks. Proper health before deciding to become pregnant is almost as important as maintaining a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. We recommend you begin with a pre-pregnancy exam with an ARC Ob/Gyn physician or Nurse Practitioner.
Proper health before deciding to become pregnant is almost as important as maintaining a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. We recommend you begin with a pre-pregnancy exam with an Ob/Gyn physician or Nurse Practitioner.
A sonogram is a medical test that uses high-frequency sound waves, or ultrasound waves, to look at the organs and structures in your pelvic area.
STIs are infectious diseases passed from person to person through sexual contact. They may also be called STDs for sexually transmitted diseases.
Tubal ligation, or “tying your tubes,” is a surgical procedure that prevents you from becoming pregnant.
737-404-0347 Fax: 512-406-6295
Rating based on "Did the healthcare provider or doctor provide the care you expected?"
Great bedside manner. Our visit was difficult because it wasn’t good news, but the staff were very kind.
Dr Cowden always takes his time to explain things in a nice manner. I never feel rushed and always feel secure in my medical care. His nurse is always so nice and helpful. I’ve never had a bad experience with the nurse staff or Dr Cowden and I’m very grateful for the care they’ve provided me.
This is my least favorite annual visit but Dr. Cowden made me feel comfortable. He was easy to talk to respectful and kind.
Appreciate that he made me feel heard.
The doctor actually listened to me !
No communication on wait times. Having to pay extra for my sitter to wait an hour past my appointment. Lack of bedside manner from everyone but the front desk staff (they’re great)
In a recent article in Community Impact Storytelling, ARC Ob/Gyn physicians and APCs share the essential aspects of pre-pregnancy planning and answer important questions for patients.
September 12, 2024 1 min read
Dr. Christopher Cowden discusses genetic testing, cord blood banking, and prenatal diabetes risks.
February 26, 2024 4 min read
Alessandra M. Taylor, MD, ARC Ob/Gyn, talks about perimenopause and menopause.
February 1, 2024 2 min read
Dr. Cowden is currently accepting new patients at:
Children (ages 3-11) Adolescents (ages 12-18) Toddlers (ages 0-2)