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Insurance and Billing
Insurance Accepted for General Surgery in Katy & Sugar Land, TX
Participating Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare Plans, With Help Verifying Your Coverage
Before a hernia, gallbladder or other surgical visit, most patients want to know two things: will my insurance work here, and what will I owe? Surgical Associates of Southern Texas participates with many major health plans, including participating Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare plans. Coverage varies from plan to plan, so our office verifies your 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 Greater Houston. This page explains which plans we work with, how to check your coverage, referrals and prior authorization, the costs you may owe, and your billing rights under federal and Texas law.
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
- Plans we work with
- Services covered by this page
- How to verify coverage
- Referrals and prior authorization
- Meet your surgeon
- Costs you may owe
- Surgery cost estimates
- Self-pay and out-of-network
- No Surprises Act and estimates
- What to bring
- Patient reviews
- Why choose us
- Insurance
- Locations
- FAQs
- Schedule a consultation
At a Glance
Insurance at a Glance
- Plans we work with
- Many major health plans, including participating Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare plans. Participation varies by plan.
- Verifying coverage
- Call the office with your insurance card ready. Our staff helps confirm whether the practice participates with your specific plan before your visit.
- Referrals and authorization
- Some plans, often HMO and many Medicare Advantage plans, require a referral or prior authorization. Many PPO plans do not.
- What you may owe
- Your deductible, copay or coinsurance, as set by your plan. Surgery can bring separate bills from the surgeon, facility and anesthesia.
- No insurance or self-pay
- Call the office to discuss self-pay. Under federal law, uninsured and self-pay patients can ask for a Good Faith Estimate.
- In an emergency
- Do not delay care to check insurance. 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.
Participating Plans
Which Insurance Plans Do We Work With?
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas participates with many major health plans. Dr. Shakir is an independent surgeon who sees patients with a wide range of plans for hernias, gallbladder disease and other general surgical conditions. Patients most often ask about the four carriers below, so each has its own page.
One insurance company can sell dozens of plans, and a practice may participate with some of them but not others. Coverage varies; the office verifies your plan before your visit.
Aetna
Information for patients with participating Aetna plans. Participation varies by plan, so the office checks your specific Aetna plan before your visit. Read more about seeing a general surgeon with Aetna.
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Information for patients with participating BCBS plans. Participation varies by plan, so the office checks your specific Blue Cross Blue Shield plan before your visit. Read more about seeing a general surgeon with Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Cigna
Information for patients with participating Cigna plans. Participation varies by plan, so the office checks your specific Cigna plan before your visit. Read more about seeing a general surgeon with Cigna.
UnitedHealthcare
Information for patients with participating UnitedHealthcare plans. Participation varies by plan, so the office checks your specific UnitedHealthcare plan before your visit. Read more about seeing a general surgeon with UnitedHealthcare.
Don’t see your plan? We work with many plans beyond those highlighted here. Review our list of accepted insurance policies, or call 713-955-9191 and our staff can check the plan printed on your card.
Surgical Services
General Surgery Services for Insured Patients
Patients with participating plans can schedule a consultation for any of the services below. All care is provided by Dr. Murtaza Shakir, and only services offered by the practice are listed. Whether a specific visit or operation is covered depends on your plan and on medical necessity.
Hernia Repair
Open, laparoscopic and robotic repair of inguinal, umbilical, ventral, incisional and recurrent hernias. Learn about hernia repair.
Robotic Hernia Surgery
Minimally invasive robotic hernia repair when it is the right fit for your hernia and anatomy. Learn about robotic hernia repair.
Gallbladder Surgery
Evaluation of gallstones and gallbladder disease, and laparoscopic gallbladder removal when needed. Learn about gallbladder surgery.
General Surgery
Surgical evaluation and treatment of common abdominal, skin and soft-tissue conditions. Learn about general surgery.
Appendicitis
Prompt surgical evaluation and appendectomy. Suspected appendicitis needs same-day emergency care. Learn about appendicitis.
Reflux Surgery
Surgical options for GERD and chronic acid reflux that medicine does not control. Learn about reflux surgery.
The practice also provides surgical oncology and wound care. Ask our staff to check your benefits for these services too.
Check Your Coverage
How to Verify Your Insurance Before Your Visit
The surest way to verify coverage is to check with both our office and your insurance company before your first visit. Networks and benefits vary by employer, plan and individual policy, even under the same carrier name.
Questions to Ask Your Insurance Company
Call the member services number on the back of your card and ask:
- Is Dr. Murtaza Shakir in network for my specific plan?
- Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor to see a surgeon?
- Does the visit or the planned procedure need prior authorization?
- How much of my deductible have I met this year?
- What copay or coinsurance applies to a specialist visit and to outpatient surgery?
- What is my out-of-pocket limit, and how much of it have I met?
- Is the hospital or surgery center where the operation is planned in network?
Write down the date, the name of the person you spoke with, and any reference number.
Protect Your Personal Information
Please do not send your full insurance ID number or Social Security number through any unsecured web form. Our staff will collect what is needed when they contact you.
1. Contact Our Office
Call 713-955-9191 or use our contact form. Have your insurance card ready when we call you back.
2. Verify Your Plan
Our staff helps determine whether the practice participates with your specific plan and notes any referral or authorization needs.
3. Schedule Your Consultation
Choose the most convenient appointment at our Katy or Sugar Land office. Plan participation is the same at both.
Before You Book
Do You Need a Referral or Prior Authorization?
It depends on your plan. Some plans, often HMO plans and many Medicare Advantage plans, require a referral or prior authorization before you see a surgeon or have surgery. Many PPO plans do not. Check your plan documents or call your insurer, and our staff can help you understand what your plan requires.
What a Referral Is
A referral is a written order from your primary care provider 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 doctor to send it before your appointment.
What Prior Authorization Is
Prior authorization, also called preauthorization, is a decision by your health plan that a service, treatment or procedure is medically necessary. Plans often require it before non-emergency surgery. Prior authorization is not a promise that your plan will cover the full cost. Your deductible, copay or coinsurance still apply.
Plans With Their Own Rules
Medicare Advantage plans and Medicaid managed care plans, such as UHC Community Plans, often have their own referral and authorization rules. Checking these before your visit helps avoid delays in scheduling surgery.
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. Insurance participation affects how a visit is billed; it does not change 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.
Understanding Costs
What Costs May You Owe With Insurance?
Even when a plan covers surgery, you usually pay part of the cost through your deductible, copay or coinsurance. The amounts are set by your plan, not by our practice. These HealthCare.gov definitions explain each term.
In-Network and Out-of-Network
An in-network provider has a contract with your plan, which usually means you pay less. An out-of-network provider has no contract, so you usually pay more, and some plans pay nothing. A network provider may not bill you for the difference between its charge and the plan’s allowed amount for covered services.
Deductible
The amount you pay for covered services during a coverage period, usually one year, before your plan starts to pay. Some services may be covered before you meet it.
Copayment (Copay)
A fixed amount you pay for a covered service, usually at the time of the visit. The copay can differ for an office visit, a specialist visit and outpatient surgery.
Coinsurance
Your share of the cost of a covered service, figured as a percentage of the allowed amount, such as 20%. You usually pay coinsurance after you meet your deductible.
Out-of-Pocket Limit
The most you pay for covered, in-network services during a coverage period. After you reach it, your plan generally pays 100% of the allowed amount for covered services.
Planning for Surgery
How to Get an Estimate for Surgery
The best estimate for surgery comes from combining your plan’s benefits with the specific procedure and place of surgery. Once Dr. Shakir recommends an operation, our staff can help you identify what to confirm with your insurer before the date.
One Operation Can Mean Several Bills
Surgery often involves more than one provider, and each may bill separately. Charges may come from:
- The surgeon, for the operation and routine follow-up care
- The hospital or surgery center, for the facility
- The anesthesia provider
- The pathology lab, if tissue is examined
- Imaging and lab tests before or after surgery
Ask your insurer whether each provider and the facility are in network for your plan.
What Affects Your Share
- Which procedure is planned, and whether it is outpatient or needs a hospital stay
- Where the operation takes place
- How much of your deductible and out-of-pocket limit you have met this year
- Whether prior authorization was obtained
Unexpected findings during surgery can change the final bill. Estimates do not cover care that was not planned.
Other Payment Options
Self-Pay and Out-of-Network Patients
If you have no insurance, or your plan does not include our practice, call the office at 713-955-9191 to discuss your options before scheduling. Our staff can explain how self-pay visits work and what to expect.
If You Pay for Care Yourself
Under the federal No Surprises Act, uninsured and self-pay patients can usually get a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges. You can request one, and you should receive one when you schedule care at least 3 business days in advance. See the next section for details.
If Our Practice Is Out of Network for Your Plan
Some plans, often PPO plans, pay part of the cost of out-of-network care, while many HMO and EPO plans do not pay for it except in emergencies. Out-of-network care usually costs you more. Ask your insurer what it will pay before you decide, and call our office to talk through your options.
Your Billing Rights
The No Surprises Act and Good Faith Estimates
The No Surprises Act is a federal law, in effect since January 1, 2022, that protects patients from many unexpected medical bills. It covers most types of health insurance, and it gives uninsured and self-pay patients the right to a Good Faith Estimate.
Texas Surprise Billing Protections
Texas has its own surprise billing protections for many state-regulated plans and certain state employee and teacher plans. The Texas Department of Insurance explains which plans are covered and how to get help with a surprise bill.
Where to Get Help
For questions about the No Surprises Act, you can call the federal No Surprises Help Desk at 1-800-985-3059. For billing questions about care at our practice, call our office at 713-955-9191.
Good Faith Estimates
- For uninsured or self-pay patients, providers usually must give a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges.
- You should receive one when you schedule care at least 3 business days ahead, or whenever you ask.
- Each estimate covers one provider or facility, so ask each provider involved in your care.
- Keep a written copy to compare with your final bill.
- If a bill is at least $400 more than the estimate, you may be able to dispute it within 120 days of the first bill.
Protection From Surprise Bills
- If you have insurance, the law protects you from unexpected out-of-network bills for emergency care.
- It also covers non-emergency care related to a visit to an in-network hospital, hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgical center.
- Air ambulance services are also covered.
- You still owe your normal in-network deductible, copay or coinsurance.
Your First Visit
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Bringing the right documents helps our staff confirm your coverage and helps Dr. Shakir make the most of your visit.
- Photo ID
- Your current insurance card, front and back, including any secondary insurance
- Your referral, 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
- 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.
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Surgical Associates of Southern Texas?
The practice participates with many major health plans, and our staff helps you verify coverage before your visit with Dr. Murtaza Shakir.
- Participating Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare 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 About Insurance
Which insurance plans does the practice accept?
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas participates with many plans from Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and other major insurers. Participation varies by plan, so please verify your specific coverage with our office and your insurer.
How do I know if my specific plan is in network?
Call our office at 713-955-9191 with your insurance card ready, and also ask your insurer. The carrier name alone is not enough, because a practice may participate with some of a company’s plans but not others.
Do you accept Medicare Advantage?
Participation in Medicare Advantage plans varies. Rules differ by plan, so call the office to confirm your exact Medicare plan before your visit.
Do I need a referral to see a general surgeon?
It depends on your plan. Some plans, often HMOs, require a referral or prior authorization, while many PPO plans do not. Check with your insurer, and our office can help clarify what your plan requires.
What is prior authorization?
Prior authorization is your health plan’s decision that a service or procedure is medically necessary, often required before non-emergency surgery. It is not a promise that the plan will pay the full cost.
What is the difference between a deductible, a copay and coinsurance?
A deductible is what you pay each year before your plan starts paying. A copay is a fixed amount per service. Coinsurance is a percentage of the allowed amount that you pay after meeting your deductible.
How much will my surgery cost?
Your cost 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 your insurer for your expected share, and call our office with questions.
Can I see Dr. Shakir if I don't have insurance?
Call the office at 713-955-9191 to discuss self-pay options before scheduling. As a self-pay patient, you can also ask for a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges.
What if my plan does not include your practice?
Some plans pay part of the cost of out-of-network care, and others pay nothing outside emergencies. Ask your insurer what it would pay, then call our office to talk through your options.
Should I check my insurance 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
- Medical Bill Rights (No Surprises Act), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Know Your Medical Bill Rights Without Insurance: Good Faith Estimates, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Know Your Medical Bill Rights When Using Insurance, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Glossary of Health Coverage and Medical Terms (deductible, copayment, coinsurance, preauthorization, referral), HealthCare.gov
- Texas Protects Consumers From Surprise Medical Bills, Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)
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 Plan and Schedule a Consultation
Call our office or send a message to verify your plan, then book an evaluation for a hernia, gallbladder problem or other general surgery need with Dr. Murtaza Shakir. Our staff can check participation, referral or prior authorization needs, and self-pay options. Offices in Katy and Sugar Land serve Richmond, Fulshear and Greater Houston.
Insurance participation and benefits vary by employer, plan and individual policy. This information does not guarantee coverage, authorization or payment.
Contact us now