FAQ's

The Asthma Center of Excellence (ACE) is a specialized center solely dedicated to asthma management. ACE is an initiative aimed to addressing the growing national health crisis of asthma, with a special emphasis on serving historically disadvantaged and vulnerable communities in San Antonio. 

Recognizing that access to healthcare plays a crucial role in improving asthma awareness, prevention, and symptom management to promote a better quality of life, the ACE initiative's mission is to deliver comprehensive innovative asthma care through collaboration.

Yes. The Asthma Center of Excellence is an initiative championed by STAAMP Allergy aimed for alleviating the burden of asthma for vulnerable individuals and communities. 

No, appointments for the Asthma Center of Excellence are exclusively available at our Medical Center office. This is because the specialized medical equipment required for the comprehensive assessments conducted during the initial visit is only available at this location. 

In addition, to ensure our interventions are effective and sustainable, those suffering from uncontrolled asthma will receive complementary education by a certified asthma educator only offered at this facility. Once your asthma is under control, you can choose to continue follow-up visits at your preferred STAAMP Allergy clinic. 

We specialize in guiding and supporting patients through your asthma journey.  The Asthma Center of Excellence is the first of its kind in San Antonio, it offers access to advanced diagnostic tools, cutting-edge treatments, and comprehensive care tailored specifically to individuals with moderate and severe asthma. These ensure that you receive the most appropriate and effective care for your asthma, ultimately leading to improve your quality of life.

Yes, STAAMP Allergy health care providers are part of the multidisciplinary care team that closely collaborates with Primary Care Providers, Pediatricians, ENT specialists, Pulmonologists, Intensive Care specialists, and Asthma Educators.

Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Pediatric Critical Care, Allergy and Immunology

Yes, we do. Please remember to request your parking validation at the Front desk during check out.

The Asthma Center of Excellence offers a one-stop hub for patients, delivering comprehensive services to maximize the success of your asthma control. ACE provides a venue for confirming the severity of your asthma diagnosis, optimizing your self-management skills through asthma education, and allow access to add-on treatments, including trials of novel therapies. This initiative leads to improve your quality of life, achieve better asthma control, reduce exacerbations, reduce the number of hospitalizations and emergency department visits, and prevent absenteeism from school or work.

We take most major insurance plans, like those from companies and the government. But, every plan is different, so we want to make sure we can bill your insurance correctly. Before we book your appointment, our billing experts will double-check if we can work with your specific insurance plan. This way, you'll know exactly what's covered and won't have any surprises with bills.

Whether you need a referral depends on what your insurance says. Usually, if your insurance requires you to see your regular doctor first before coming to us, then you'll need a referral. But don't worry, we'll check all that out for you before we set up your appointment. Our referral team will make sure everything's in order, so you don't have to stress about it.

Yes, we do welcome walk-ins. In fact, if you are experiencing an asthma exacerbation, it is preferable to visit us and establish care rather than seeking treatment only for the acute episode at an Urgent Care facility.

The initial visit consists of an extensive review of your medical history, diagnostic tests, and in-depth discussions to define the precise treatment plan best suited to your individual needs. Our comprehensive assessment includes blood sample collection, full pulmonary testing, allergy testing, exercise tolerance testing, socioeconomic and cultural assessments, and evaluation of the concomitant health conditions that may impact your asthma.

We strive to accommodate patients with several insurance plans. However, it's important to note that insurance networks can vary, and we want to ensure seamless billing for our patients. One of our dedicated billing specialists will meticulously review your specific insurance plan. This process ensures that you have a clear understanding of your coverage and can proceed with confidence knowing what to expect regarding billing and any potential out-of-pocket expenses.

The first visit to the Asthma Center of Excellence typically takes between 2 and 3 hours to complete. We allocate ample time during this visit to ensure all necessary assessments are conducted thoroughly, setting a solid foundation for your ongoing care. Subsequent follow-up visits typically last around 1 hour, and include a 30-minute asthma education session to empower you in managing your asthma effectively. 

• Be prepared to provide relevant information regarding your asthma history and asthma attacks over the last year (hospitalizations, ER or urgent care visits). 
• Please compile two lists: in the first, document anything that makes your asthma worse. In the second, note any activities you've had to discontinue due to your asthma, or anything you would like to do, but your asthma is restricting you. 
• Bring all medications you are taking (pills and inhalers)
• Track how much and how often you use your quick-relief medicine (rescue)

We encourage you to write down a list of concerns and topics to address during this first encounter. Here are a few suggested questions to include:

• Can my asthma be cured?
• Can I outgrow my asthma?
• Do my medicines need to be changed? 
• What should I do when my symptoms get worse, or when I'm exposed to my triggers?
• How can I know when a flare-up is starting?
• What can I do to stop an asthma attack in progress?
• When do I need to go to the emergency room or seek other emergency treatment?
• What preventive actions can I take to protect my health during cold and flu season?

While some medications may need to be temporarily withheld to ensure the accuracy of tests during your initial visit, rest assured that our office will provide clear guidance on which medications, if any, should be stopped beforehand. Please continue with your current treatments as prescribed, unless otherwise instructed by our healthcare providers. We prioritize your safety and well-being, and any necessary adjustments to your medication regimen will be communicated to you promptly and clearly.

Blood samples can be collected at our clinic during your visits, offering you the convenience of comprehensive care all under one roof. However, if you prefer to visit Clinical Pathology Laboratories (CPL), Labcorp, or Quest Diagnostics offices, you can conveniently locate them in the area. We understand the significance of accessible laboratory services for our patients, and we've ensured that these facilities are nearby: 

• CPL (0.5 miles) - 7707 Ewing Halsell Dr #136, San Antonio, TX 78229
• Labcorp (0.6 miles) - 8042 Wurzbach Rd, Ste 140, San Antonio, TX 78229
• Quest (0.9 miles) - 7959 Fredericksburg Rd Ste 117, San Antonio, TX 78229