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Karen Merkel, FNP, NP (Urgent Care)

Family Medicine

Accepts New Patients
MyBSWHealth portal
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About Karen Merkel, FNP, NP (Urgent Care)

Serving all people by providing personalized health and wellness through exemplary care, education and research.

LanguagesEnglish
Ages SeenInfants and Toddlers (ages 0-2), Adolescents (ages 12-18), Adults, Geriatrics
Hospital Affiliations
  • Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Temple
Insurance Accepted
*Accepted plans and benefits may vary by location.
INSURANCE PLAN
ACCEPTS NEW PATIENTS
Aetna - Aetna Signature Administrators
Accepts New Patients
Aetna - Choice POS II
Accepts New Patients
Aetna - Elect Choice
Aetna - Health Network Only
Aetna - Health Network Option
Accepts New Patients
Aetna - HMO
Accepts New Patients
Aetna - Managed Choice
Accepts New Patients
Aetna - Open Access Elect Choice
Accepts New Patients
Aetna - Open Access HMO
Aetna - Open Access Managed Choice
Accepts New Patients
Aetna - Open Access Select
Accepts New Patients
Aetna - Open Choice PPO
Accepts New Patients
Aetna - QPOS
Accepts New Patients
Aetna - Select SM
Aetna - US Access
Baylor Scott & White Health Plan - BSW Solutions PPO
Bell County Public Health District - Bell County Public Health District
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Blue Advantage Bronze
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Blue Advantage Gold
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Blue Advantage HMO
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Blue Advantage Silver
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Blue Choice Plus
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Blue Choice PPO
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Blue Essentials
Accepts New Patients
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Blue Essentials Access HMO
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Blue Premier
Accepts New Patients
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Blue Premier Open Access HMO
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Federal Select PPO
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Indemnity
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Medicare Advantage
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Medicare Advantage - EFH Retirees
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Medicare Advantage - Oncor
Accepts New Patients
Blue Cross Blue Shield - ParPlan
Accepts New Patients
Blue Cross Blue Shield - STAR Kids
Accepts New Patients
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Traditional
Brookshire Brothers - Brookshire Brothers Employee Plan (Nexcaliber)
Cigna - CAC Plan
Cigna - Cigna Choice Fund
Cigna - EPO
Cigna - Flexcare
Cigna - HMO
Cigna - HMO Open Acces
Accepts New Patients
Cigna - HMO Open Access
Cigna - HMO/POS
Cigna - LocalPlus
Accepts New Patients
Cigna - LocalPlusIN
Accepts New Patients
Cigna - Network
Cigna - Network Open Access
Cigna - Network POS
Cigna - Open Access Plus
Accepts New Patients
Cigna - POS
Cigna - POS Open Access
Cigna - PPO
Consolidated Association of Railroad Employees - Self-Insured Employee Plan
Coventry - Coventry/First Health
Envolve Vision - Envolve Vision
EyeMed Vision - EyeMed Vision
First Health - First Health PPO
Galaxy Health Network - Galaxy Health Network
Gladney Center - Gladney Center
HealthSmart - ACCEL Network
HealthSmart - HealthSmart PPO
HealthSmart - HealthSmart Preferred Care EPO
HealthSmart - HealthSmart Preferred Care GEPO
HealthSmart - Preferred Network
Humana Behavioral - Tricare Members Only
Humana - ChoiceCare
Accepts New Patients
Humana - ChoiceCare Preferred Network
Humana - Commercial HMO Plans
Humana - Commercial PPO Plans
Humana - Humana Preferred
Accepts New Patients
Humana - Medicare Advantage Plans (exclude Southwestern Health Resources Network)
Accepts New Patients
Humana - National POS
Accepts New Patients
Imagine Health - EPN
Independent Medical Systems - IMS Network
Magellan - CHIP
Magellan - Navigator Networks
Magellan - Pinnacle Networks
Magellan - STAR
Magellan - STAR Kids
Magellan - Summit Networks
Medicaid - AmeriGroup
Medicaid - Oklahoma Medicaid
Medicaid - Parkland HealthFirst
Medicaid - Superior HealthPlan
Medicaid - Traditional Medicaid
Medical Development International - MDI
Medicare Railroad - Medicare Railroad
Medicare - Traditional Medicare
Midland Memorial Hospital - Employee Benefit Plan
Mother Frances Hospital Regional - Self-Insured Employee Plan
OccuNet - Occupational Networks of Texas, Inc.
Optum - United Behavioral Healthcare/Optum
PHCS Network - Beech Street of Texas PPO
PHCS Network - Private Health Care SYstem PPO
Reny Company - Workers Comp
Rockport - Workers Comp
Scott & White Health Plan - RightCare STAR Medicaid Network
Accepts New Patients
Sedgwick Preferred Network f/k/a Southwest Medical - Workers Comp
Superior Health Plan - Ambetter Balance Care - Silver
Superior Health Plan - Ambetter Secure Care - Gold
Superior Vision - Superior Vision
Superior - Ambetter Balance Care - Silver
Superior - Ambetter Secure Care - Gold
Superior - CHIP
Accepts New Patients
Superior - CHIP Perinate
Accepts New Patients
Superior - Foster Care
Accepts New Patients
Superior - STAR
Accepts New Patients
Superior - STAR+PLUS
Accepts New Patients
Three Rivers Network - Three Rivers Network
Tricare - Tricare Extra
Tricare - Tricare Prime
Tricare - Tricare Select
TriWest - VA-PCCC
Accepts New Patients
United Behavioral Healthcare/Optum - United Behavioral Healthcare/Optum
UnitedHealth - AARP Medicare Complete
UnitedHealth - Charter EPO
UnitedHealth - Charter HMO
Accepts New Patients
UnitedHealth - Charter POS
UnitedHealth - CHIP
UnitedHealth - Choice +HMO
Accepts New Patients
UnitedHealth - Choice EPO
UnitedHealth - Choice HMO
UnitedHealth - Choice Plus POS
UnitedHealth - Core Choice Plus POS
Accepts New Patients
UnitedHealth - Core EPO
UnitedHealth - Core HMO
UnitedHealth - Dual Complete Medicare Advantage
UnitedHealth - Group Medicare Advantage
UnitedHealth - Medicare Complete
UnitedHealth - Medicare Gold
UnitedHealth - Medicare Silver
UnitedHealth - Navigate EPO
UnitedHealth - Navigate HMO
UnitedHealth - Navigate HMO+
UnitedHealth - Navigate POS
UnitedHealth - Nexus ACO OA
UnitedHealth - Options PPO
Accepts New Patients
UnitedHealth - PPO
UnitedHealth - Secure Horizons
UnitedHealth - Select +
Accepts New Patients
UnitedHealth - Select EPO
UnitedHealth - Select HMO
Accepts New Patients
UnitedHealth - Select Plus POS
UnitedHealth - STAR
UnitedHealth - STAR Kids
UnitedHealth - STAR+PLUS
UnitedHealth - UHC West Signature Value Gated HMO
University Mary Hardin - Baylor-Employee Benefit Plan
Your rights and protections against surprise medical bills

Insurance listings are subject to change without prior notice. Please call your physician's office or your health or insurance plan to verify coverage information prior to scheduling your visit or procedure. Not all members participating in contracted networks have "in network" access. In network participation may change from time to time without prior notice. Independent providers (which could include, for example only, anesthesiologists, radiologists, pathologists, emergency medicine physicians, advance practice professionals, and other independent providers of health care services) may deliver part of your care, and such providers may be considered out-of-network on your health and insurance plans even if the Facility may be considered in network. If you desire additional information as to the providers who may be involved in providing your care, you can either ask your treating provider (who may know some of the specialists or groups who could be involved) or you can request a list of Facility-based physician groups by calling the following toll free number: (877) 810-0372. This list is updated annually and is subject to change without prior notice.

Background

Education
  • Education: MS Nursing Family Nurse Prac, Texas Women's University (2014)
Certifications
  • Family Nurse Practitioner - American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

Reviews (172) for Karen Merkel, FNP, NP (Urgent Care)

Overall: 4.5*
Friendliness/Courtesy of Care Provider
Care Provider showed Concern for Questions/Worries
Time Care Provider spent with Patient
Rate provider 0-10
Care Provider Efforts to Include in Decisions
Wait Time at Clinic

Patient Comments**

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May 7, 2023
Very caring and thorough!
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May 7, 2023
As an Urgent Care provider, she was very thorough and ordered tests and medicine that were very helpful and just what I needed for my lower back pain.
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May 5, 2023
Informative and professional.
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May 5, 2023
She listened to my concerns and responded to each one, including confirming when I thought there was no likely "answer".
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May 2, 2023
Karen is a superstar. Even though she was swamped with patients she takes the time to listen, explain and diagnose with care.
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May 2, 2023
She addressed the issue thoroughly and efficiently.
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May 2, 2023
Provided excellent care thank you.
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May 1, 2023
Very nice, took her time to address my concerns.
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May 1, 2023
I was give great care and my questions were all answered
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Apr 27, 2023
Great visit
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Apr 25, 2023
Wish Karen had get back to me sooner regarding my XR results
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Apr 22, 2023
Everyone is was really great talk to me where I could understand everything they were all ready awesome thank you all
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Apr 18, 2023
She was very efficient, believed my symptoms, and developed a plan for and with me.
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Apr 17, 2023
She listened to everything I had to say and then began on checking me out.
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Apr 17, 2023
Very professional
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Apr 16, 2023
Definitely the most professional and caring experience I've received. Very warm and caring, which was very appreciated
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Apr 13, 2023
She heard all my needs as a patience and gave me the prescription I needed. She is really smart, kind, and professional.
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Apr 12, 2023
She is always very patient oriented, receptive, listens, explains, and has a reasonable care plan.
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Apr 4, 2023
Karen was great. She followed up with my tests the same day the were ready. I would definitely recommend her.
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Mar 30, 2023
I saw Karen Merkel at Circle C Urgent Care in Austin, She was not one of my regular BSW physicians. She was kind, caring, diligent, efficient, knowledgeable, and willing to answer questions. After testing, I was diagnosed with Covid 19 and she was willing to answer questions that I had through My Chart. She also sent me a print our about Covid care and quarantine Instructions.
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Mar 28, 2023
Very thorough and listened carefully to my illness.
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Mar 28, 2023
Very kind, thoughtful and thorough in finding out what the problem was and getting the best solutions into play.
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Mar 17, 2023
She was thorough and patient while being empathetic to my feelings.
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Mar 9, 2023
Very kind, caring, helpful with getting a referral and answering technical questions about the referral system. Not particularly knowledgable about the issue I was having.
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Mar 5, 2023
Great
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Mar 2, 2023
Exelente
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Mar 2, 2023
I felt in good care as the provider listened, asked questions, repeated my communication and right away began a process of finding out about the issue through blood work and urine tests.
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Feb 28, 2023
She was really nice and helpful
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Feb 27, 2023
She listens to my every need and truly focused on what would work just for me. I really appreciated her time she spent with me to come up with a solution to help me get over my illness.
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Feb 26, 2023
It's all good
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Feb 25, 2023
So greatful for the knowledge and quick plan to address health
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Feb 25, 2023
I worked with her at St. Davids awhile back and she is still the same she is a great woman and soon to be doctor thank you for taking care of me
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Feb 19, 2023
Was professional and informative
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Feb 14, 2023
Very friendly and straightforward but I expected some more instruction or continuity. Spoke to APRN up front but no clear expectation of when I would get my X-ray results or next steps til mychart updated late evening. Shoved right out the exit door after xray with no plan.
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Feb 13, 2023
Pleasant and very succinct in the delivery of her care.
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Feb 12, 2023
She was great!
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Feb 12, 2023
She was friendly and took my concerns seriously.
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Feb 11, 2023
Knowledgeable, efficient, freindly
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Feb 11, 2023
She was very thorough in giving me the results of my urine test and in advising treatment.
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Feb 9, 2023
Always friendly and professional
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Feb 7, 2023
Very straightforward information, gave me choices on medications.
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Feb 5, 2023
Yesterday I remembered a BSW staff member at a surgical center during my checkout recently mentioning they had an Urgent Care Center near me. I had developed a sinus Infection & terrible cough & drove there in minutes & was the first patient seen. I was relieved it hadn't developed into something serious. Dr. Merkel's examination was thorough & she reassured me it was only sinusitis. Since I didn't have a fever I hesitated going to an urgent care but my regular Medicare & insurance pay extremely well so decided I couldn't wait for relief.
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Feb 5, 2023
Great visit
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Feb 4, 2023
Karen was very friendly, kind, listened well and overall worked with me to understand what all was going on and how best to help.
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Feb 4, 2023
Kind, listened, answered questions. I left feeling that I had been properly diagnosed and treated
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Feb 4, 2023
Excellent care made me revisit this clinic.. Forever graceful to each one who helped me.. Everyone there are very courteous.. Thanks ..
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Jan 31, 2023
Very knowledgeable, knew what to do.
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Jan 31, 2023
She went the extra mile in helping me with my health concerns for myself and my sons, after my sons were diagnosed with strep.
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Jan 28, 2023
She is a very good doctor.
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Jan 27, 2023
Thorough, explained medications, listened to my questions, very supportive.
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Jan 27, 2023
She was cheerful, succinct, interested in my issues and assisted quickly.
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Jan 26, 2023
Outstanding Service!
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Jan 10, 2023
She listened to my concerns and tailored a treatment plan that really helped me feel better
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Dec 30, 2022
She saw me as a walk in in a timely manner, listened to my concerns and got things taken care of.
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Dec 28, 2022
Quick, relatable, knowledgeable and efficient.
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Dec 27, 2022
Nurse Practitioner MERKEL was very personable and easy to talk to during my visit to the urgent care. I wish there would have been a faster way to get into a primary care provider since I had been seen at the urgent care.
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Dec 21, 2022
Karen was so kind and listened to all my concerns. She made me feel safe and cared for.
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Dec 20, 2022
She was knowledgeable and attentive to my special concerns.
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Dec 20, 2022
Professional
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Dec 19, 2022
The provider was thorough in her exam and questions. She also has a friendly demeanor that made me feel comfortable in asking additional questions.
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Dec 8, 2022
Extremely helpful, discussed the possible causes, the prospective treatment and why and tested me to rule out other possibilities.
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Dec 8, 2022
Very professional, explained everything, very kind
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Dec 8, 2022
Very helpful and listened
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Dec 7, 2022
Very attentive, empathetic and prompt
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Dec 7, 2022
Friendly, concerned, competent, helpful
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Dec 4, 2022
So glad she was available on Saturday and treated my problem efficiently and professionally.
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Nov 30, 2022
Quick concise to the point
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