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BCBS Insurance Information
General Surgeon Accepting Blue Cross Blue Shield in Katy & Sugar Land, TX
Hernia, Gallbladder and General Surgery Care for Patients With Participating Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans
Do you have Blue Cross Blue Shield and need a surgeon for a hernia, gallstones or another general surgery problem? Surgical Associates of Southern Texas participates with many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Coverage varies from plan to plan, so our office verifies your specific plan before your visit.
Dr. Murtaza Shakir, board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology, sees patients at our Katy and Sugar Land offices, serving Cypress, Richmond, Fulshear and Greater Houston. This page explains how BCBS plan types, referrals and prior authorization can affect a surgical visit. For other carriers and billing rights, see our main insurance information page.
Meet the Surgeon
Dr. Murtaza Shakir, MD, general surgeon and surgical oncologist in Katy and Sugar Land, TX
- Dual board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology
- Named a Houstonia Top Doctor in General Surgery, 2026 (see listing)
- Highly reviewed: rated 4.9 stars on Google
- Specialized in hernia repair, gallbladder surgery, appendectomy, reflux surgery, and cancer surgery using open, laparoscopic, and robotic approaches
Patient Reviews
What Patients Say About Dr. Shakir
Rated 4.9 stars on Google. Real experiences from patients treated in Katy and Sugar Land.
Jump to a section
- At a glance
- Working with BCBS plans
- Services for BCBS members
- Types of BCBS plans
- How to verify your coverage
- Do I need a referral?
- Prior authorization
- Meet your surgeon
- What you may owe
- Where BCBS members are seen
- What to bring
- Have a different plan?
- Patient reviews
- Why choose us
- Insurance
- Locations
- FAQs
- Schedule a consultation
At a Glance
Blue Cross Blue Shield Coverage at a Glance
- Do we work with BCBS?
- Yes, with many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Participation varies by plan, so the office verifies your specific plan before your visit.
- Plan type matters
- PPO, HMO and Medicare Advantage plans have different network and referral rules. Your BCBS member ID card shows which type you have.
- Verifying coverage
- Call the office with your member ID card ready, and check with BCBS through the member services number on your card.
- Referrals
- BCBS HMO plans generally need a referral from your primary care provider to see a specialist. PPO plans generally do not.
- Prior authorization
- Some planned procedures need approval from your plan before surgery. Approval is not a promise of payment.
- What you may owe
- Your deductible, copay or coinsurance, as set by your BCBS plan. Surgery can bring separate bills from the surgeon, facility and anesthesia.
- In an emergency
- Do not delay care to check coverage. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
- Where
- Offices in Katy and Sugar Land, TX. Plan participation is the same at both. Call 713-955-9191.
BCBS Participation
Do You Accept Blue Cross Blue Shield for General Surgery?
Yes, for many plans. Surgical Associates of Southern Texas participates with many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, and Dr. Shakir sees patients with participating BCBS plans for hernias, gallbladder problems and other conditions that may need surgery. Because participation can differ from one BCBS plan to another, please confirm your specific plan with our office before your visit.
Dr. Shakir is an independent, board-certified surgeon who treats patients with many different insurance plans. Insurance participation affects how a visit is billed. It does not change who your surgeon is or how your care is planned.
One Carrier, Many Different Plans
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) offers many plans through employers, individual coverage and Medicare. Two people with “Blue Cross” cards can have very different networks, referral rules and costs. A practice may participate with some BCBS plans but not others, so our office checks the exact plan on your card, not only the company name.
Our accepted insurance list shows the plans the practice works with. If your plan is not listed, call 713-955-9191 and our staff can check it.
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas is an independent surgical practice. It participates with many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans but is not owned by, affiliated with or endorsed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas or the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
Surgical Services
General Surgery for Patients Covered by BCBS
Patients with participating BCBS plans can schedule a consultation for any service listed below. Your visit focuses on the medical problem first: what is causing your symptoms and whether surgery will help. When an operation is recommended, Dr. Shakir uses laparoscopic or robotic techniques where they are appropriate. Whether a visit or operation is covered depends on your plan and on medical necessity.
Seeing a Hernia Surgeon With BCBS
Patients with a participating BCBS plan and a known or suspected hernia can schedule an evaluation in Katy or Sugar Land. Dr. Shakir treats inguinal, umbilical, ventral, incisional and recurrent hernias, including more complex abdominal wall problems.
He chooses between open, laparoscopic and robotic repair after looking at the hernia type, its size, any earlier surgery or mesh, and your general health. HMO plans may need a referral first. Read more about inguinal, umbilical, ventral and incisional and recurrent hernia repair.
Seeing a Gallbladder Surgeon With BCBS Near Sugar Land and Katy
Patients with participating BCBS plans can see Dr. Shakir at our Sugar Land or Katy office for gallstones, recurring pain in the upper right abdomen, or pain that follows meals. The evaluation looks at your symptoms and imaging to decide whether removing the gallbladder is advisable.
If surgery is recommended, it is usually performed laparoscopically. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan’s deductible, coinsurance and authorization rules. Learn more on the gallbladder surgery page.
General Surgery
Evaluation and surgical treatment of common abdominal, skin and soft-tissue conditions. Learn about general surgery.
Hernia Repair
Inguinal, umbilical, ventral, incisional and recurrent hernia repair. Learn about hernia repair.
Robotic Hernia Surgery
A minimally invasive approach when it suits the hernia and your anatomy. Learn about robotic hernia repair.
Gallbladder Surgery
Evaluation of gallstones and gallbladder disease, and surgery when needed. Learn about gallbladder surgery and laparoscopic gallbladder removal.
Appendicitis
Prompt surgical evaluation and appendectomy. Suspected appendicitis needs same-day emergency care. Learn about appendicitis.
Reflux, Cancer and Wound Care
Also available: reflux surgery, surgical oncology and wound care.
Plan Types
How Your Type of BCBS Plan Affects a Surgical Visit
Your plan type sets the main rules for seeing a surgeon: whether you must stay in network, whether you need a referral, and how much you pay. The plan type is usually printed on your BCBS member ID card. The descriptions below are general; your own plan documents are the final word.
| Feature | PPO Plans | HMO Plans | Medicare Advantage Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | Most flexible type | Care coordinated by your primary care provider | Private alternative to Original Medicare |
| Network | In-network care usually costs less | Generally limited to the plan’s network | Each plan has its own network |
| Specialist referral | Generally not needed | Generally needed to see a surgeon | Set by each plan’s rules |
| Out-of-network care | Usually allowed at a higher cost | Usually not covered except emergencies | Depends on PPO or HMO version |
Typical patterns only. Check your plan documents and call our office to confirm.
Verify Your Coverage
How to Verify Your BCBS Coverage Before Your Appointment
The surest way to verify coverage is to check with both Blue Cross Blue Shield and our office before your first visit. Networks and benefits vary by employer, plan and individual policy.
Questions to Ask Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Is Dr. Murtaza Shakir in network for my specific plan?
- Do I need a referral from my primary care provider to see a surgeon?
- Does the visit or the planned procedure need prior authorization?
- What is my specialist copay, and how much of my deductible have I met?
- What coinsurance applies to outpatient surgery or a hospital stay?
- Is the hospital or surgery center where surgery is planned in network?
Write down any reference number you are given.
Protect Your Personal Information
Please do not send your insurance ID number or Social Security number through an unsecured web form. Our staff will collect what is needed when they contact you.
1. Check Your Member ID Card
Your card lists your member ID (often with a letter prefix), group number, plan or network type, and the member services phone number. Bring it to your visit, front and back.
2. Check With BCBS
Call the member services number on your card, or use your BCBS member account, to confirm your benefits, network and referral rules.
3. Call Our Office
Call 713-955-9191 or use our contact form. Our staff helps determine whether the practice participates with your specific plan, then helps you schedule in Katy or Sugar Land.
Referrals
Do You Need a Referral to See a Surgeon With BCBS?
It depends on your plan type. BCBS HMO plans generally require a referral from your primary care provider to see a specialist, while PPO plans generally do not. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas states that members of its HMO networks, such as Blue Essentials, must choose a primary care provider and need a referral from that provider to see specialists. If your plan does not require a referral, you can call our office at 713-955-9191 to schedule.
What a Referral Is
A referral is a written order from your primary care doctor for you to see a specialist or get certain services. In many HMO plans, the plan may not pay for specialist care you get without one.
If Your Plan Requires a Referral
- Ask your primary care provider to submit the referral before your appointment. In BCBSTX HMO plans, the primary care provider sends the referral request to the plan.
- Make sure the referral names Dr. Murtaza Shakir or Surgical Associates of Southern Texas.
- Ask how many visits the referral covers and when it expires.
- Bring the referral number to your visit.
Medicare Advantage Referrals
According to Medicare.gov, Medicare Advantage HMO plans usually require a referral to see a specialist, while Medicare Advantage PPO plans do not. Each plan sets its own referral and authorization rules. If you have a BCBS Medicare Advantage plan, call our office to confirm participation and requirements for your exact plan.
Prior Authorization
Does BCBS Require Prior Authorization for Surgery?
Sometimes. Whether your operation needs prior authorization depends on the procedure, where it is done, and your specific BCBS plan. Some planned procedures and hospital stays need approval from the plan before surgery, while many office visits do not.
What Prior Authorization Means
Prior authorization, also called preauthorization or precertification, is your plan’s decision that a service or procedure is medically necessary. It is not a promise that the plan will pay the full cost. Your deductible, copay and coinsurance still apply.
How It Usually Works
When prior authorization is needed, the request is generally submitted by the doctor’s office or facility before a planned operation. Once Dr. Shakir recommends surgery, ask our staff how authorization will be handled for your procedure. Starting early helps avoid scheduling delays.
Emergencies Come First
Never delay emergency care to check BCBS coverage; emergency care generally does not need prior approval. Seek care right away for severe belly pain, a painful or discolored hernia bulge, yellow eyes with fever, nonstop vomiting, heavy bleeding, chest pain or trouble breathing. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Your Surgeon
Meet Your General Surgeon
Murtaza Shakir, MD
Board-Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist
General surgery care at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas is led by Dr. Murtaza Shakir, who is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology. Your insurance plan affects billing, not who your surgeon is or how your care is planned.
Board certification
American Board of Surgery: General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology
Medical degree
Aga Khan University
Residency
General Surgery, Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
Fellowship
Two-year Surgical Oncology fellowship, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Surgical practice includes
Named a Houstonia Top Doctor in General Surgery (2026). Learn more about our general surgery services.
Your Costs
What You May Owe With a BCBS Plan
Even when your BCBS plan covers a visit or operation, you usually pay part of the cost. Your share is set by your plan, not by our practice, and depends on your deductible, copay, coinsurance and out-of-pocket limit. Our insurance cost guide explains each term.
One Operation Can Mean Several Bills
Surgery often involves more than one provider, and each may bill separately. Charges may come from the surgeon, the hospital or surgery center, the anesthesia provider, and the pathology lab if tissue is tested. Ask BCBS whether each one is in network for your plan.
If Our Practice Is Out of Network for Your Plan
PPO plans often pay part of the cost of out-of-network care, but you pay more. Many HMO plans pay nothing outside emergencies. Ask BCBS what it would pay, then call our office to talk through your options.
Your rights under the federal No Surprises Act, including protection from many surprise out-of-network bills, are explained on our insurance information page.
Offices and Areas
Where Can BCBS Members Be Seen?
Patients with participating BCBS plans are seen at our Katy and Sugar Land offices. You see the same surgeon, with the same services, at either location, and plan participation is the same at both.
Patients From Cypress
There is no Cypress office. Cypress patients with BCBS usually schedule at our Katy location after confirming their plan with our staff. See our page for Cypress patients.
Patients From Greater Houston
Houston, West Houston and Spring are among the communities we serve from our two offices. They are service areas only, not additional office locations.
Katy Office
Patients from Katy and Fulshear with participating BCBS plans can schedule hernia, gallbladder and general surgery consultations here.
410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D, Katy, TX 77494
713-955-9191 • Katy office page
Sugar Land Office
Our Sugar Land office serves patients from Sugar Land, Richmond and Rosenberg.
17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, Sugar Land, TX 77479
713-955-9191 • Sugar Land office page
Your First Visit
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Bringing the right documents helps our staff confirm your BCBS coverage and helps Dr. Shakir make the most of your visit.
- Photo ID
- Your current BCBS member ID card, front and back, and any secondary insurance card
- Your referral number, if your plan requires one
- Imaging reports and discs, such as ultrasound, CT or MRI
- Endoscopy, biopsy or pathology reports
- Recent lab results
- A list of your medicines, supplements and allergies
- Records of previous operations, especially earlier hernia repairs or mesh
- A list of your questions
New patient paperwork is available on our patient forms page. Tell our staff if your insurance changes before your visit or before surgery.
Other Insurance
Have a Different Insurance Plan?
The practice works with many major insurance plans beyond Blue Cross Blue Shield. If your insurer is not listed here, contact our office and our team can help you find out whether your specific plan participates with the practice.
You can also review our insurance information page or the full list of accepted plans.
Why Choose Us
Why BCBS Members Choose Surgical Associates of Southern Texas
Dr. Murtaza Shakir sees patients with many participating Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, and our staff helps you verify coverage before your visit.
- Many participating Blue Cross Blue Shield plans
- Help checking referral or authorization needs before your visit
- Double board certified by the American Board of Surgery
- Open, laparoscopic and robotic surgery when appropriate and safe
- Same plan participation in Katy and Sugar Land
Insurance Coverage
Insurance for General Surgery
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas accepts many major insurance plans for general surgery consultations and procedures, including participating Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Our office can confirm whether your specific plan participates and whether a referral or prior authorization is needed before your visit.
Coverage, network participation, authorization requirements, and your share of the cost vary by plan. You can also review the insurance accepted for surgical care at our practice.
Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield are only some of the plans we accept. Plan-specific details are on our Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield pages. If your plan is not listed, contact our office and our team will help verify it.
Insurance participation and benefits vary by individual plan. Verification does not guarantee coverage, authorization or payment. Please contact our office and your insurer to verify benefits before treatment.
Our Locations
Two Convenient Fort Bend County Offices
Learn more about our Katy and Sugar Land practices, or view all locations.
Katy Office
410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D
Katy, TX 77494
Serves: Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Cinco Ranch and West Houston
Sugar Land Office
17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Serves: Sugar Land, Richmond, Stafford, Missouri City, Fort Bend County and Southwest Houston
Approximate Drive Times
From West Houston (Energy Corridor): about 15 minutes to Katy, or 25 to 30 minutes to Sugar Land.
From North Houston: about 40 to 50 minutes to either office, depending on traffic.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions From Patients With Blue Cross Blue Shield
Do you accept Blue Cross Blue Shield for general surgery?
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas participates with many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, but not necessarily every one. Please contact our office and BCBS to confirm participation, benefits and any referral or authorization requirements for your plan.
How do I check whether my BCBS plan covers a visit here?
Call the member services number on your BCBS member ID card, then call our office at 713-955-9191. Ask about network status, referral and authorization rules, and your copay and deductible.
Do I need a referral to see a surgeon with BCBS?
It depends on your plan type. BCBS HMO plans generally require a referral from your primary care provider, while PPO plans generally do not. Check your plan documents or call the number on your card.
Do you accept BCBS HMO plans?
The practice works with many BCBS plans, but participation varies by plan and network. Call our office with your card so staff can check your exact HMO plan, and ask your primary care provider for a referral before your visit.
Do you accept BCBS Medicare Advantage plans?
Medicare Advantage plans have their own networks and rules. Please call our office with your card before your visit so staff can confirm whether the practice participates with your exact plan.
Does BCBS require prior authorization for hernia or gallbladder surgery?
It depends on the procedure, the setting and your plan. Some planned operations need prior authorization before the surgery date. Once surgery is recommended, ask our staff and BCBS how it will be handled. Authorization is not a guarantee of payment.
Can I see a hernia surgeon with my BCBS plan?
Yes, patients with participating BCBS plans can schedule a hernia evaluation with Dr. Shakir in Katy or Sugar Land. Coverage for the visit and any repair depends on your plan terms.
Who accepts BCBS for gallbladder surgery near Sugar Land?
Dr. Murtaza Shakir evaluates gallbladder conditions for patients with participating BCBS plans at 17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, Sugar Land, TX 77479, and at our Katy office.
What will I owe for surgery with BCBS?
Your share depends on the procedure, where it is done, and your plan’s deductible, copay, coinsurance and out-of-pocket limit. Once surgery is recommended, ask BCBS for your expected share, and call our office with questions.
Should I check my BCBS coverage before going to the emergency room?
No. Never delay emergency care to check coverage. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Federal law limits what most insured patients can be charged for out-of-network emergency care.
Sources and references
- Blue Essentials Quick Reference Guide (primary care provider selection and specialist referral requirements), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
- PCP and Referral Requirements, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
- Preauthorization (Glossary), HealthCare.gov
- Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) in Medicare Advantage, Medicare.gov
- Medical Bill Rights (No Surprises Act), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Reviewed by the Review Team at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas.
Medical Disclaimer: This page provides general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. For severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, chest pain, trouble breathing, or other emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Last updated October 16, 2026.
Verify Your BCBS Plan and Schedule a Consultation
Call our office or send a message to verify your Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, then book an evaluation for a hernia, gallbladder problem or other general surgery need with Dr. Murtaza Shakir. Our staff can check participation and any referral or prior authorization needs. Offices in Katy and Sugar Land serve Richmond, Fulshear and Greater Houston.
Coverage and network participation vary by individual plan. This page does not guarantee coverage, authorization or payment. Surgical Associates of Southern Texas is an independent practice and is not owned by, affiliated with or endorsed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas or the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
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