This guide explains how access to endocrine care works in Dallas. It is not a medical practice and does not tell you whether you need a specialist, which tests to get or what treatment to choose. Those decisions belong with a licensed physician.
The short version
- UT Southwestern's new-patient endocrinology line is 214-645-2800.
- Families can self-refer children to UTSW/Children's Health endocrinology at 214-456-5959.
- UT Southwestern says its endocrine surgeons offer immediate appointments for first consults and second opinions.
- Referral and network rules depend on your plan. Confirm them with your insurer before you book.
Six steps to a first visit
- Talk to your current doctorIf a primary care physician, pediatrician or another specialist suggested an endocrinologist, ask whether they will send a referral and your records, and whether they have a specific clinic in mind.
- Call your insurance planAsk whether you need a referral, which endocrinology practices and hospitals are in network, and what a specialist visit will cost you. The full list of questions is below.
- Choose the right doorAdults, children, low-income Dallas County residents, veterans and surgical patients each have a different starting point. See the sections below.
- Gather your recordsCollect recent lab results, imaging reports, a medication list and your insurance card before you call, so you can answer scheduling questions.
- Call the new-patient lineHave referral details ready if your plan requires one, and ask which location has the earliest opening.
- Confirm the location and parkingLarge systems run several sites. Each UT Southwestern location page has its own parking information link.
Adults: UT Southwestern or a community system
UT Southwestern Medical Center lists a dedicated new-patient appointment line for endocrinology: 214-645-2800. Its endocrinology page lists five locations, including UTSW Medical Center at Park Cities (8611 Hillcrest Road, 2nd Floor; 214-692-3160) and the Endocrinology, Internal Medicine Subspecialties Clinic in West Campus Building 3 (2001 Inwood Road, 8th Floor; 214-645-6397).
If you already get care through Texas Health Resources, Baylor Scott & White or Methodist, it can make sense to ask that system first, since your records may already be there. Our hospitals and clinics guide covers what we could verify about each, including Methodist's endocrinology office in Grand Prairie.
Children and teens: families can refer themselves
UT Southwestern's Division of Pediatric Endocrinology provides all endocrinology services to Children's Health. The division says families can refer themselves or come with a referral from a doctor. The Endocrine/Diabetes Clinic number is 214-456-5959 (UT Southwestern). The patient-facing pediatric endocrinology page has more on the service.
Being allowed to self-refer to the clinic doesn't change your insurance plan's rules. If your child's plan requires a referral for specialist visits, you may still need one from the pediatrician for the visit to be covered. Ask the plan before the appointment.
Second opinions and endocrine surgery consults
If you've been told you may need endocrine surgery, or you want another surgeon's view, UT Southwestern says its endocrine surgeons offer immediate appointments for first consults or second opinions. UTSW also lists an Endocrine Cancer Clinic and surgical specialties at UTSW Frisco, 12500 Dallas Parkway. Start with the new-patient line, 214-645-2800, and say you are calling about a surgical consult or second opinion.
For a second opinion, ask your current doctor's office for copies of the reports behind the recommendation, such as imaging, biopsy or lab reports, so the second doctor can review the same information.
Low-income Dallas County residents and veterans
Parkland Health is Dallas County's public safety-net system. A 2022 article in Clinical Diabetes describes the Parkland Diabetes Clinic as an endocrinology clinic serving the county's low-income population, with about 1,200 visits a month and 16 providers, plus diabetes educators, a social worker and a clinical pharmacist. We couldn't find an official Parkland endocrinology page or phone line, so contact Parkland Health directly and ask how new patients reach its endocrine and diabetes clinics and what eligibility steps apply.
Veterans have a separate route. UT Southwestern lists a VA Medical Center endocrine clinic and a diabetes and insulin pump clinic among its fellowship training sites. We haven't verified how the VA schedules endocrinology, so ask your VA care team how to be referred.
Referrals and insurance: what to confirm before you book
Texas HMO referral rules, Medicaid managed care details and marketplace information are not covered here because we have not yet verified them against official sources. For those, check the Texas Department of Insurance (HMO referral rules), Texas Health and Human Services (Medicaid managed care) or HealthCare.gov (the marketplace), and call the member number on your insurance card.
Whatever plan you have, these questions get you the answers that matter for your appointment:
- Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor to see an endocrinologist?
- If so, does the referral have to name a specific doctor or practice, and how long is it valid?
- Is this specific endocrinologist, at this specific location, in my network?
- Are the hospital and lab where tests would be done also in network?
- What will I pay for a specialist visit before and after my deductible?
- Will any test or device the endocrinologist orders need prior authorization?
Write down the date, the name of the person you spoke with and any reference number. If the practice's billing office tells you something different later, that note helps sort it out.
Wait times
We did not find published wait-time data for endocrinology in Dallas, and we won't guess. The one verified access commitment we found is UT Southwestern's statement that its endocrine surgeons offer immediate appointments for first consults or second opinions. For other visits, a few questions can help:
- Ask whether another location in the same system has an earlier opening. UT Southwestern lists five endocrinology locations.
- Ask whether the office keeps a cancellation list.
- If your doctor considers the visit urgent, ask your doctor's office whether it can contact the specialist's office directly.
- Make sure referrals and records arrive before the visit, so you aren't asked to reschedule.
What to bring to a first endocrinology visit
Ask the office what it needs, because requirements differ by practice. A good starting checklist:
- Photo ID and insurance card
- Referral, if your plan requires one
- Recent lab results and the dates they were drawn
- Imaging, biopsy or pathology reports, if any
- A current list of medications and supplements, with doses
- Readings or downloads from a home glucose meter, glucose monitor or insulin pump, if you use one
- Names and contact details of your other doctors
- Your questions, written down
Before the visit, you can also check the physician's license and board certification. Our verification guide explains where to look.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral to see an endocrinologist in Dallas?
It depends on your insurance plan, not only on the clinic. Call the member number on your card and ask. For children, UT Southwestern's pediatric endocrinology clinic says families can self-refer, but your plan's rules still apply to coverage.
What is the UT Southwestern endocrinology new-patient number?
UT Southwestern lists 214-645-2800 as its new-patient appointment line for endocrinology. For children, the UTSW/Children's Health Endocrine/Diabetes Clinic is 214-456-5959.
How long is the wait for an endocrinologist in Dallas?
We found no published wait-time data, so we don't quote one. UT Southwestern says its endocrine surgeons offer immediate appointments for first consults or second opinions. For other visits, ask about other locations and cancellation lists.
Can I get a second opinion before endocrine surgery?
UT Southwestern says its endocrine surgeons offer immediate appointments for second opinions. Bring copies of the reports behind the first recommendation.
Where do I find Texas Medicaid or marketplace information?
We haven't verified those details. Texas Health and Human Services covers Medicaid managed care, HealthCare.gov covers the marketplace, and the Texas Department of Insurance is the place to check HMO referral rules. Your plan's member services line can confirm your benefits.
Sources
- Endocrinology — UT Southwestern Medical Center
- Pediatric Endocrinology clinical services — UT Southwestern Medical Center
- Pediatric Endocrinology — UT Southwestern Medical Center
- Endocrinology fellowship — UT Southwestern Medical Center
- Parkland Diabetes Clinic — Clinical Diabetes