Measles - Local update

Local health departments have not recommended additional vaccination beyond current guidelines. Texas health officials urge immunization to protect against and prevent the spread of measles. ARC has received additional vaccines for children and adults to keep the community protected. Read our measles vaccination guidelines.

Visit the DSHS website to track the current outbreak in Texas.

ARC in-network with UHC

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:

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Michael Farris

Michael M. Farris, PA Pronunciation Guide

Orthopedics
Orthopedics Pediatric CareSpine Care
4.7of 5 | (848) | View Reviews
About our provider ratings

ARC Patient Feedback

Guide to ARC Patient Feedback and Ratings

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.

Who runs the survey?

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.

How do patients receive the survey?

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.

Do you post all positive and negative comments?

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.

What questions do we ask?

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.

  1. Rate how easy it was to make your appointment.
  2. Rate the helpfulness of the front-desk staff.
  3. Rate the helpfulness of the doctor's nurse and/or medical assistant (MA).
  4. Did the healthcare provider or doctor provide the care you expected?
  5. How likely is it that you would refer a friend/family member to this doctor or NP/PA?
  6. Please let us know anything that you particularly liked or disliked about your experience with today’s office visit.

Why don't all providers display a rating?

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.

Why can I only see comments from the last 90 days?

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.

Can anyone complete a survey or post a comment about a physician?

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.

How is patient information protected?

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 Available at Multiple Locations Ages seen: 16 - 99 Joined ARC: 2017

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About Michael M. Farris, PA

  • Michael Farris, an “Army brat,” lived in Germany and all over the United States before moving to Oklahoma for high school and college. When he’s not at work, Michael enjoys riding his motorcycle (when it’s not too hot!) and watching his children participate in athletics. His favorite Central Texas spot is the Devil’s Backbone in the Texas Hill Country.

    Learn more about Physician Assistants. 

I began working with an orthopedic spine surgeon part-time while in Colorado Springs. I found it to be very interesting and challenging at the same time, not only in the clinic, but also assisting in the operating room. That interest gradually evolved into my dedicated spine practice, which I really enjoy. Every patient I see gets 100% of my attention, to answer all their questions and develop a treatment plan for each one, so that each feels valued and heard during their appointment. Seeing my patients improve is the best part of my job.

Services

Lower Back Pain Treatment

Lower Back Pain Treatment

An ARC physician or advanced practice clinician (APC) can help determine the cause of your back pain and provide treatment to relieve or reduce discomfort.

Middle Back Pain Treatment

Middle Back Pain Treatment

An ARC physician or advanced practice clinician (APC) can help provide care for middle back pain to relieve or reduce discomfort.

Neck Pain Treatment

Neck Pain Treatment

An ARC physician or advanced practice clinician (APC) can help determine the cause of your neck pain and provide care to relieve or reduce discomfort.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections utilize platelet-rich plasma therapy to promote healing and reduce pain.

Steroid Injections

Steroid Injections

Steroid injections are a non-surgical procedure that can help reduce pain and swelling, providing effective relief.

Telemedicine Visits

Telemedicine Visits

ARC offers telemedicine visits for primary and specialty care. ARC doctors and advanced practice clinicians (APCs) can quickly evaluate you for a new health issue or follow up with you via a phone call or video visit from the comfort of your home.

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Locations & Hours

Credentials

  • Board Certifications
    Certified Physician Assistant
  • Education
    BA in History, Northeastern State College, Tahlequah, OK, 1974
    Certificate: X-ray Technology, St. Francis School of Radiology, Colorado Springs, CO, 1980
    Certificate Program: Physician Assistant, University of New Mexico, Gallup, NM, 1983
  • Professional Positions
    • Member, American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)

Resources

Additional Resources

Michael Farris is currently accepting new patients.

Ages Seen

Children (ages 3-11)
Adolescents (ages 12-18)
Toddlers (ages 0-2)