Mahmoud Al Rifai, MD

Mahmoud Al Rifai, MD

Mahmoud Al Rifai, MD

Cardiac Imaging, Cardiology, Preventive Cardiology
Accepting New Patients
Video Visits Available
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About Dr. Mahmoud Al Rifai

My primary aim is for patients to live a long and healthy life free of cardiovascular disease. I am passionate about studying cardiac imaging biomarkers to correctly identify individuals who are at high risk of developing future cardiovascular disease events.

Dr. Al Rifai received his medical degree from the American University of Beirut. He worked as a post-doctoral research fellow at the John Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease. He trained in internal medicine at University of Kansas School of Medicine, Cardiology at Baylor College of Medicine and Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging at Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center. Additionally, he has a Master of Public Health from John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Dr. Mahmoud Al Rifai has an academic appointment. Learn more about their research interests.

Clinical Interests

  • Cardiac CT
  • Cardiometabolic disorders
  • Cardiovascular disease prevention
  • Echocardiography
  • Nuclear Cardiology (PET/SPECT)

Accepted Insurance Plans

  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ESSENTIALS FROM UHC EP-1 (PPO) **
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE EXTRA FROM UHC EP-3 (PPO) **
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC EP-2 (PPO) **
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE CareFlex FROM UHC TX-44 (HMO-POS)**
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE CareFlex FROM UHC TX-45 (HMO-POS)**
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ESSENTIAL FROM UHC TX-21 (HMO-POS)**
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ESSENTIAL FROM UHC TX-22 (HMO-POS)**
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE EXTRA FROM UHC TX-27 (HMO-POS)**
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE EXTRA FROM UHC TX-28 (HMO-POS)**
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-35 (HMO-POS) **
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-38(HMO-POS) **
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-39 (HMO-POS) **
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-40 (HMO-POS) **
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-41 (HMO-POS) **
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-47 (HMO-POS) **
  • (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-005
  • (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-013
  • (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-014
  • (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-021
  • (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-025
  • (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-026
  • (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-32 (PPO)** H1278-022
  • (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-34 (PPO)** H1278-024
  • (WELLMED) SECURE HORIZON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE TX-0023 (HMO-POS)**
  • (WELLMED) SECURE HORIZON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE TX-0025 (HMO-POS)**
  • Aetna Affordable Health Choices
  • Aetna APCN Plus Multi-Tier HM Tier 2
  • Aetna Choice POS / Open Choice
  • Aetna Common Spirit Minimum Value Plan
  • Aetna EPO
  • Aetna Health Network
  • Aetna HMO
  • Aetna International
  • Aetna Managed Choice / Elect Choice
  • Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO
  • Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO
  • Aetna Medicare Dual Complete Plan (HMO D-SNP)
  • Aetna Medicare HMO Prime
  • Aetna Meritain Hlth/Aetna Premier Care (APCN)
  • Aetna Open Access
  • Aetna POS
  • Aetna PPO
  • Aetna Premier Care Network
  • Aetna QPOS
  • Aetna Select
  • Aetna Signature Administrators
  • Aetna Signature Administrators Allied Benefits
  • Aetna Signature Administrators CoreSource
  • Aetna Signature Administrators EBMS
  • Aetna Signature Administrators MODA
  • Aetna Student Health
  • Aetna Transplant
  • Aetna TX Pref Plus II Network
  • Aetna Workers' Comp
  • All Saver/United Healthcare
  • BCBS PPO GUIDESTONE
  • BCBS PPO Wespath
  • Best Doctors International
  • Bind Surest UHC
  • Blue Choice POS
  • Blue Choice PPO
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Federal Employee Plan
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage Out of State
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage PPO/UT Care
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield POS
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
  • Blue Edge
  • Blue Essentials
  • Blue Essentials Access
  • Cigna Allegiance Houston Methodist Employee Medical Plan
  • Cigna Allegiance OAP
  • Cigna Allegiance PPO
  • Cigna APWU
  • Cigna C-24 Network
  • Cigna Choice Fund
  • Cigna EPO
  • Cigna Global Health Benefits (International)
  • Cigna Great West
  • Cigna HMO
  • Cigna Indemnity
  • Cigna LocalPlus
  • Cigna NALC
  • Cigna Network
  • Cigna Network Open Access
  • Cigna Open Access
  • Cigna Open Access Plus (OAP)
  • Cigna POS
  • Cigna PPO
  • Cigna Qualcare
  • Cigna Shared Administration OAP
  • Cigna Shared Administration PPO
  • Cigna SureFit
  • Community Health Choice Medicare Advantage HMO DSNP
  • Community Health Choice PREMIER Gold
  • Community Health Choice PREMIER Silver
  • Coventry PPO
  • DEVOTED CORE 001 TX (HMO)
  • DEVOTED CORE 019 TX (HMO)
  • DEVOTED C-SNP Plus 031 TX (HMO C-SNP)
  • DEVOTED C-SNP Premium 030 TX (HMO C-SNP)
  • DEVOTED DUAL 010 TX (HMO D-SNP)
  • DEVOTED DUAL FULL 040 (HMO D-SNP)
  • DEVOTED GIVEBACK 006 TX (HMO)
  • DEVOTED HEALTH DUAL PLUS GREATER HOUSTON
  • DEVOTED PREMIUM 002 (HMO)
  • Entrust/90 Degree EDI Payer ID# 36878
  • First Health PPO
  • GeoBlue
  • HAA Preferred Partners (International)
  • HealthSmart Accel PPO
  • HealthSmart Payors Organization
  • HealthSmart PPO
  • Healthspring/Cigna MCR HMO
  • Healthspring/Cigna MCR PPO
  • Healthspring/Cigna MCR Total Care Dual
  • HMO Blue
  • Humana Medicare Advantage Choice PPO
  • Humana Medicare Advantage Gold Plus/Choice
  • Humana Medicare Advantage HMO
  • Humana Medicare Advantage PPO
  • Humana TRICARE 2
  • Medica Choice with UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus
  • Medicare
  • MEDICARE ADVANTAGE : TEXAN PLUS
  • Medicare Railroad
  • Molina Healthcare of TX CHIP MCD
  • Molina Healthcare STAR+PLUS MCD
  • Molina Healthcare TX STAR MCD
  • Molina Marketplace Exchange
  • Molina Medicare Complete Care HMO (Dual) HIDE
  • Molina Medicare Complete Care Plus (HMO Dual-SNP) FIDE
  • MultiPlan PPO
  • Olympus Managed Care (International)
  • PHCS Healthy Directions
  • PHCS MEDI-SHARE
  • PHCS PPO
  • PHCS/Multiplan Practitioner & Ancillary Only
  • ProCare Medicare Advantage
  • Sana Benefits
  • Three Rivers Provider Network
  • TRS-ActiveCare 2 Group 385002
  • TRS-ActiveCare Fully Insured Plan-South Texas Region Group 295430
  • TRS-ActiveCare Fully Insured Plan-West Texas Region Group 295781
  • TRS-ActiveCare HD Group 385000
  • TRS-ActiveCare Primary Group 385003
  • TRS-ActiveCare Primary Plus Group 385001
  • TRS-Care Standard ALT A I Group 485002
  • TRS-Care Standard ALT A II Group 485003
  • TRS-Care Standard ALT B I Group 485005
  • TRS-Care Standard ALT B II Group 485006
  • TRS-Care Standard CMED Group 485001
  • TRS-Care Standard Group 485000
  • TX Annual Conf of UMC-UMR
  • UHC COMPLETE CARE SUPPORT TX-1A (REGIONAL PPO C-SNP)** R6801-008
  • UHC Complete Care TX-16 (HMO-POS C-SNP)** H4527-039
  • UHC Complete Care TX-17 (HMO-POS C-SNP)** H4527-040
  • UHC Complete Care TX-18 (HMO-POS C-SNP)** H4527-041
  • UHC Complete Care TX-19 (HMO-POS C-SNP)** H4527-042
  • UHC COMPLETE CARE TX-29 (REGIONAL PPO C-SNP)** R6801-009
  • UHC DUAL COMPLETE TX-S001 (REGIONAL PPO D-SNP)** R6801-011
  • UHC GR MA HALLIBURTON HMO 137 ** H0609-822-137
  • UHC GR MA LOCKHEED HMO 164 ** H0609-822-164
  • UHC GR MA RIO TINTO SERVICE
  • UHC GR MA TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM HMO 199** H0609-822-207
  • UHC GR MA VERIZON HMO 207** H0609-822-207
  • UHC MEDICARE ADVANTAGE TX-0030 (REGIONAL PPO)** R6801-012
  • UMR
  • United Health Integrated Services
  • United HealthCare Community Plan Dual Complete (HMO SNP)
  • United Healthcare Nexus ACO RA or OA
  • United Healthcare Plan of the River Valley
  • UnitedHealthcare Choice
  • UnitedHealthcare ChoicePlus
  • UnitedHealthcare Core
  • UnitedHealthcare Core Plus
  • UnitedHealthcare EPO
  • UnitedHealthcare Golden Rule
  • UnitedHealthcare HMO
  • UnitedHealthcare Navigate
  • UnitedHealthcare Navigate Plus
  • UnitedHealthcare Options PPO
  • UnitedHealthcare Oxford
  • UnitedHealthcare POS
  • UnitedHealthcare PPO
  • UnitedHealthcare Student Resources
  • UnitedHealthcare West
  • UnitedHealthOne
  • US Family Health Plan
  • WellMed AARP Medicare Advantage Choice PPO
  • WellMed AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 1 & Plan 2
  • WellMed Medicare Advantage Choice PPO
  • WellMed Medicare Advantage Patriot
  • WellMed UHC Dual Complete HMO D-SNP
  • WellMed UnitedHealthCare Dual Complete Choice (Regional PPO D-SNP)
  • WellMed UnitedHealthCare Medicare Advantage Choice (Regional PPO)
  • WellMed UnitedHealthCare Medicare Gold (Regional PPO C-SNP)
  • WellMed UnitedHealthCare Medicare Silver (Regional PPO C-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Chronic Care (HMO C-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Dual Advantage (HMO D-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Dual Advantage 2 (HMO D-SNP)
  • WELLPOINT ESSENTIALS MARKETPLACE
  • Wellpoint Full Dual Advantage (HMO D-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Full Dual Advantage 2 (HMO D-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Home Care (HMO C-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Kidney Care (HMO C-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Kidney Care (HMO-POS C-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Lung Care (HMO C-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Medicare Advantage 2 (HMO)
  • Wellpoint Select (HMO)
Insurance plans may change. Please verify your plan is accepted when scheduling an appointment.

Credentials

Fellowship
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging (PET/CT) | Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center
  • Cardiovascular Medicine | Baylor College of Medicine
Board Certification
  • Cardiovascular Disease | American Board of Internal Medicine
Board Certification
  • Internal Medicine | American Board of Internal Medicine
Residency
  • Internal Medicine | University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita
Fellowship
  • Cardiovascular Disease Prevention | Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease
Master of Public Health
  • Epidemiological & Biostatistical Methods for Public Health & Clinical Research | Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health
Medical School
  • American University of Beirut
Diplomate
  • Adult Comprehensive Echocardiography | National Board of Echocardiography
  • Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology
Diplomate
  • Certification Board of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography
Affiliated Hospitals
  • Houston Methodist Hospital
Center Memberships
  • Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center
Academic Appointments
  • Assistant Professor of Cardiology, Academic Institute
  • Member, Research Institute, Academic Institute
  • Houston Methodist
  • Weill Cornell Medical College

Languages

  • English
  • Arabic
Languages listed are spoken by doctor and/or office staff.

FAQ

Can I book an appointment with Dr. Mahmoud Al Rifai?
Yes. Please contact the physician's office directly at 713.441.9909 to schedule an appointment or call 713.790.3333 for assistance in finding another doctor.
What insurance does Dr. Mahmoud Al Rifai accept?
See all insurance plans that Dr. Mahmoud Al Rifai accepts.
What practice does Dr. Mahmoud Al Rifai work at?
Dr. Mahmoud Al Rifai works at Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates.
Where is Dr. Mahmoud Al Rifai office located?
How do patients rate Dr. Mahmoud Al Rifai in reviews?
170 patients have reviewed Dr. Mahmoud Al Rifai. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.9/5. You can read individual reviews and ratings on Dr. Mahmoud Al Rifai's profile.
What languages does Dr. Mahmoud Al Rifai speak?
Dr. Mahmoud Al Rifai, or the office, speaks English, Arabic.
What are Dr. Mahmoud Al Rifai's specialties?
Dr. Mahmoud Al Rifai is a specialist in Cardiac Imaging, Cardiology, Preventive Cardiology.

Patient Ratings & Comments

What is a Patient Rating score?
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on our independently administered Patient Satisfaction Survey.
How are responses measured?
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score.
4.9 out of 5
(170 Ratings, 25 Comments)
  • 4.9
    Provider discussed treatment options
  • 5
    Provider showed concern
  • 4.9
    Provider explained things clearly
  • 4.9
    Provider included you in decisions
  • 4.9
    Likelihood of recommending this provider
Comments also are gathered from our Patient Satisfaction Survey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
  • Sep 12, 2026
    Good
  • Aug 15, 2026
    Excellent interaction and response to concerns. Good listener
  • Aug 9, 2026
    Listened to current situation and medical history to get the whole picture, gave options for managing blood pressure (which seem to have worked right away) and explained current thinking on cholesterol meds for my particular situation and the current thinking on the need for an annual echocardiogram in my situation. I think the standard of care was top-notch with keeping me healthy the objective. Dr. Rifai also made sure to let me know I could message in the portal as needed, and also scheduled proper followup for new meds.
  • Jun 30, 2026
    I did just recommend the doctor to my cousin.
  • Mar 19, 2026
    I am very comfortable. Dr Al Rafi made sure I understood everything and encouraged questions. He took his time.
  • Mar 14, 2026
    He had a calm and professional demeanor.
  • Feb 21, 2026
    The doctor was emphatic and kind. Listened patiently and asked questions to make sure I understood his diagnosis and treatment options as well as our mutually agreed to treatment plan