Gary L Werntz, MD

I have been going to see Dr Werntz since the mid-1900’s and he is the best primary card physician I have ever had. I’m a doctor’s daughter, so I am picky about my care. One of the things I appreciate about Dr. Werntz is that he gives me the pros and cons of my options for care, and let’s me choose what I think will work best for me. He doesn’t talk down to me, and he is a deeply compassionate man. He left work for several years to volunteer for Aids hospice work. He is also informed and open to alternative practice for some healing issues.
It’s great that they are also open a half day on Saturdays, twice that has saved me from ER fees. And when I’ve dropped in on a Saturday and seen another doctor, they have all been really great.
If you aren’t going to Red River Family Practice, you are missing the best that medicine has to offer.

i just recently moved to Austin and needed to find a primary care physician. Using my insurance company’s website tool to find a physician, I found Dr. Werntz at Red River.
When talking to the receptionist, once she found out I was a «new» patient, she very quickly said she needed to transfer me to the person’s voice mail who handles new patents… and off I went. Someone actually answered the phone but wouldn’t say anything. After a couple of «hellos» on my part there was some fumbling and I was dropped into the voice mail.
I left a fairly detailed message about what I was looking for and the current condition I was hoping to see the doctor about. I did not receive a call back.
Today I tried again and let the receptionist what had happened. She was very curt and wanted to know which Doctor I wanted to see. She asked me if I was wanted to see him because of his specialty. I let her know I wanted to see him for HBP as well as another condition. She bluntly advised he wouldn’t be able to see me till Nov. 19^th and wanted to know if I wanted to schedule for then.
I was blown away!!! She literally couldn’t have cared any less about me or my situation.
I read the reviews on here and wanted to believe it was people just having a bad day. But what I have discovered is that these reviews seem to be spot on in reference to the office staff.
First off, if this is the type of treatment any patient can expect to receive from the office staff at this clinic, why would anyone want to go back. We all want a doctor who we feel has our best interest at heart. BUT, if his/​her office staff makes life difficult for you (and 95% of the time you are there because you do not feel well anyway) why would you want to come back?
I haven’t event had a chance to meet Dr. Werntz. He might be the best doctor in Austin. But his office staff has made it quite clear I’m not wanted at their office. Or at the very least a pain in their side if I do make an appointment.
Secondly, I can’t believe the doctors know this is how people are being treated. I would like to believe that if they did, they would certainly be replacing their office staff. THAT BEING SAID, there are quite a few reviews on here for an extended period of time all saying the same thing about the office staff… so I have to assume the doctors must know what’s happening. And if they do… I’m pretty sure this would be the last doctors office I would want to trust me health to.
«Welcome to Austin!»

Ever been broken up with a «Dear John» letter? See Dr. Werntz and it might happen to you.
I was a loyal patient of his for nearly 5 years. I was compliant. I referred at least 2 of his current patients. I spoke highly of him to my medical colleagues…
THEN… I received a certified letter telling me I was fired as his patient. Why would he do this, you may be thinking!!!
At first, I thought it was a result of a simple communication mishap. I work in a doctor’s office and realize communication may not always be as smooth as perfection. I had an appointment set up for 11AM on a Friday. I received a voicemail from his nurse assistant during the week canceling my appointment. Fine. Things happen. No problem. I thought I would just call at my convenience to reschedule.
So, imagine my surprise when I have a knock on my door on a Saturday. It was the mail man with a certified letter. I opened it and it stated, «You have missed ANOTHER appointment… we will no longer see you.»
Ok, «What is this about?» I am thinking… So, turns out that they rescheduled my appointment for an earlier time without confirming I could be there… I missed my 10 am appointment that I never made…
Ok. (Head scratch). I am trying to remember when I have ever missed an appointment at all, minus this made up appointment. Sigh. Well, it is a Saturday. I cannot do anything about this now. I make a mental note that I will call during the week and this should be a quick fix.
I call Tuesday and attempt to explain to a receptionist. I’m told I have to speak to a Francis who is the office manager. I am sent to her voicemail. Leave a message. Never got a return call…
So, last Friday I make the trip to his office with the letter and the saved voicemail with the cancellation. Easy fix right? Apparently, not. I thought, «I am sure Dr. Werntz has no idea that this is even going on at all.»
During the course of the conversation with the receptionist, as I am explaining this mishap, Dr. Werntz comes to the front. I say to him, «Hello, did you realize I have been fired for not showing up for an appointment I never scheduled?» He looked at me befuddled and said, «No. I had no idea.»
Ok. So, of course now this would be resolved you would think… No. The receptionist and Dr. Werntz go towards the back and talk away from my earshot. The receptionist comes back and says I need to wait and speak with Francis.
Francis has my number, my story and I have YET to hear from her.
So, I am not in the practice of begging a primary care physician to see me. Of course, I am about to run out of refills for necessary medication that would give me serious withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped so I am a bit concerned… Too bad Dr. Werntz and Red River Family Practice find situations like this unconcerning.
Honestly, if I were a different person I am sure there would be a lawsuit in here somewhere. I just want to put the word out to avoid this place.
Loyalty. Patient care. Safety. These are not part of the ethics of this doctor or Red River Family Practice.
I wish I could take back all the nice things I have said about him all these years. This is a terrible way to show appreciation.
Please note: the one star rating should be a negative one star rating.

Dr Werntz is a good Dr if you can stomach his staff which some of the most unprofessional I have ever experienced. There are to many good Dr’s in Austin to subject yourself to this treatment. My advice would be to seek another office and Dr. Try Red River at your own risk you have been warned.

THURSDAY Aug. 21, 2014, 2014 — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is going ahead with tough new controls on painkillers containing hydrocodone, which has been tied to a surge in dangerous addictions across the United States.
I did get a phone call from his medical assistant she did not inform me of this new law so I was so upset thinking he did not want to be my doctor as she did not explain it clearly she just said in a very unprofessional manner that he «aint prescribing pain pills for you»
Once I got the letter from United Health care it brought light too her words as rude and she did not explain it did not go through until until October 6 2014. I am in so much pain anxiety thanks a lot Rochelle!
But he is still the king of Doctors in Austin .he is kind, understanding i really do not think he knows how his medical assistant speaks to his patients.

Called to get some prices on being a new patient without insurance. The new patient coordinator Jennifer was very short with me and could not give me a price on new patients, when pressed she said anywhere from $ 100 to $ 300 and is there anything else I can help you with. Nope! I’ll be taking my business elsewhere.

There aren’t enough stars to rate Dr. Werntz correctly. I’ve been seeing Dr. Werntz since moving to Austin about 5 years ago — and have nothing but the best to say! I’ve referred a number of friends who tell me they’ve had the same great experience.
The office staff is friendly and responsive, and meeting with Dr. Werntz is relaxed and laid back — he takes time to get to know his patients, their medical history, and specific needs/​goals.
Overall — if you’re looking for the very best Austin has to offer, you can’t go wrong with Dr. Werntz.
(If you do visit or call the office, Shirley in the front office is also great!)

Dr. Werntz is a great doctor well worth the time to see, I’ve been loyally goimg to him for over 15 years.

He is the best doctor I’ve ever had in my 47 years. He takes and makes time for you. He’s kind. He listens. The office is incredibly efficient. I love Dr. W.

I’ve been to a few different family doctors in my years. I’ve never even heard of one like Dr. Werntz. My story is I needed a new doctor due to new insurance. I got to looking on Unilocal as well as
. Dr. Werntz had exceptional reviews, but waiting for a month and a half seemed like a ridiculous amount of time for a new patient appointment! I have to say it was so worth it. During my appointment he came into the room, got comfortable, and talked with me for 40 MINS!!! My wife is a nurse and she almost fell out of her chair when I told her he spent 40 mins with me. And she’s right with most doctors, you wouldn’t want to talk with them for more than 10 mins because they cannot relate to you. Dr. Werntz is the exception. I hate to make him more busy by giving him another positive review, but damn he deserves it! FYI, you wait a long time for a new patient appointment. After that they will see you same day if you are sick.

Dr. Werntz is the best doctor I’ve ever had. Spends time with you and explains things thoroughly. Very personable and caring. Recommend him highly.

I have been seeing Gary for years. He is Marcus Welby, M.D. — only German. :) Warm, brilliant, present. My highest recommendation.

Dr. Werntz is without a doubt the best doctor I have ever had. He is very well informed, extremely patient, helpful, and very understanding. I have never felt rushed… he takes as much time as is needed to answer my concerns or questions.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Werntz for about 2 months now, a friend of mine suggested to check him out so I did.
I went in for a routine check up, but had some other medical concerns and I talked it over with him and we’ve been working on that ever since.
Not only is he extremely comfortable to talk to, he does a very good job of explaining things to you, in essence, dumbing things down so a patient can understand what’s going on.
He read over some findings in a report and I had no idea what he was talking about as I don’t understand most medical talk, he explained it to me so I could understand what was going on.
He’s been very helpful, great with recommendations and helping me decide where to go for this and that and who to talk to and what not and being relatively new to Austin, that’s a great help.
Easily the best Dr. I’ve had the privilege of having and look forward to dealing with him in the future.
I will mention one thing, getting in with him for the first time may take awhile, I had to wait 3 weeks, but once after that, I’ve managed to schedule an appointment with him as early as 2 days after I called and generally the wait is no longer than a few days at –most-​.
I’m glad I sucked it up and waited those 3 weeks for my first visit, totally worth it.

When it comes to our health we all want the best. I must say that I am very pleased with Red River Family Practice, and specifically Dr. Gary L. Werntz. He is very personable and spent a great deal of time with me during my appointment.
The check in process was simple though finding the actual office may be a bit of a challenge for first timers and you have to pay a dollar to park at the facility. That being said the rest of the experience was efficient and top notch.
Dr. Werntz spent a great deal of attention on my family history and listening to my concerns. He was friendly, professional, and caring. His notes are even computerized and instantaneous. Meaning as he was asking me questions he was already communicating with the nurse via the electronic touch pad chart. No bic required in this office.
I found this physician to be top notch, respectable, and caring. He even made me laugh in the appointment. That alone was healing. I can’t remember the last time I laughed at a doctor visit prior to seeing Dr. Werntz.

On time, courteous, caring & professional.
I hate changing doctors. My old pal Dr. McIntyre retired, claiming he was actually 80 or something lame like that. His associate, Dr. McMullen was OK for a couple of years, but closed his practice due to unforeseen catastrophic illness. Not a good thing for me, or him.
Thanks to friends on Unilocal,I have a new doctor.
On my first visit today, I was greeted promptly, faced with a surprisingly small amount of new patient paperwork, and in the examining room within 1 minute of my scheduled appointment time. After vital signs were taken, the doc appeared in less than 3 minutes, and spent a relaxed, conversational hour with me going through a comprehensive physical and medical history.
He entertained my questions, chatted amiably and gently pointed out that if I lost some weight and exercised a bit I’d really be in pretty good health. He didn’t ask if I was married – he asked if I had a partner. Bonus. I felt like I was his only patient. He dispatched a prescription directly to my pharmacy electronically (from a whiz-​bang e-​notebook with which he took case notes and entered my history) while we were talking, and set up lab work at a conveniently located lab just down the street from where I live (and with another location just around the corner from his office).
The office is right off I-​35 on 30^th Street in the Park St Davids professional building. There is an attached inexpensive parking garage too, a real bonus. I parked for about 80 minutes for $ 2.00.
The visit was thorough, punctual and inspired confidence.
[Update: Big bonus – my lab results arrived in an email from Dr. Werntz, showing all my blood work numbers, what the good levels should be, and where mine are (all good, yay!) and an invitation to email back if I had any questions. How very 21^st century!]
I like and trust this guy. I have a new doctor.