Announcements
Posted February 9, 2010
Our supply of H1N1 vaccine will be expiring soon and our supply of seasonal flu vaccine is dwindling. If you are planning on your child receiving either H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccine this year, you should call our office and schedule an appointment immediately.
Of special note, children with chronic health problems such as asthma or diabetes, are at particularly high risk of developing complications from the flu. These children are really top priority for influenza vaccines. It is very important for these children to receive their vaccines as soon as possible.
Vaccine Information Sheet for Live H1N1 Flu Vaccine
Vaccine Information Sheet for H1N1 Flu Shot
Informacion para la vacune contra el H1N1 inyectable
Informacion para la vacune contra el H1N1 nasal
Posted on April 4, 2009
The following financial policy became effective in our offices on April 1, 2009.
The changing economic climate has forced us to re-examine many of our older practices. As a result we have revised our older policies to reflect changes in our industry. We are committed to providing excellent care in a timely, efficient manner and very much appreciate the confidence you place in us to provide health care for your children
- All fees for self pay patients are required at the time of the visit.
- Our office will verify insurance prior to well child care. We are happy to file an insurance claim however, verification does not identify specifically covered items and is not a guarantee of payment. In the event a service we perform is not covered by your insurance, then full payment for this service is due within 60 days of receipt of the service. This is including well child care, vaccinations, lab work, nebulizer treatments, procedures, antibiotic injections…etc.
- All insurance cards presented must reflect the current insurance plan, INVALID INFORMATION causing the claim to be returned will be subject to a $25 re-file fee per claim per filing.
- We require a 24 hour notice for cancellation of all appointments. Failure to do so or missing the appointment will result in a $25 cancellation/no show fee which is not covered by insurances. Reminder calls are a courtesy. Cancellation/no show fees are applicable even if a courtesy call is not received. Changing an appointment time on the day the appointment is made will be subject to a $25 fee. For late arrivals the office must be notified in advance. Patients who are being seen for an acute problem will have to be worked back into the providers schedule at the providers discretion. Patients scheduled for well child care may need to be rescheduled so that it does not interfere with other scheduled appointments, and may be subject to a $25 late fee.
- We do not file insurance for problems related to motor vehicle accidents. Full payment is due at the time of service.
- We are happy to complete sports physical or immunization forms at the time of service for no fee. The fee is $10 if these forms are needed at a later date. For more complicated, time consuming letters or forms such as Katie Beckett, SSI, ADD or chart summaries the charge will be $25.
- Copies of basic medical records ie, vaccination records are free. The fee is a minimum of $25 if the entire chart is copied.
- No fees are associated with phone calls to the office during normal business hours, however, any after hour or weekend calls that require a return call from our physicians, nurses or the CHOA advice line will be subject to a $15.00 fee per call. These are not insurance covered charges. No fees are applicable if the call is handled thru the participating
- Walk in patients will be scheduled for the next available opening with their provider for no fee. Walk in patients who request to be “worked in” to a providers schedule will be seen by a triage nurse/MA and worked in at the discretion of the triage nurse/MA and provider. There will be a $25 triage fee for this service and it is not an insurance covered charge.
- Add on patients (ie; unscheduled patients whose parents request at arrival to the office that they be seen with a previously scheduled sibling) will be seen by the provider if there is an available opening. If there is no available opening, parents can choose to wait for an opening or they may pay the walk in fee of $25 and have their child worked into the provider’s schedule.
About Over-the-counter cold and cough medications:
Over the last few months, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has released several statements regarding the safety of over-the-counter cold and cough medications. Their concern has focused on two areas – safety and efficacy. The conclusions of an expert panel convened by the FDA regarding over-the-counter cold and cough medications led the FDA to release guidelines on their use. As a result, we are now making the following recommendations for the treatment of colds and cough.
Under 2 years of age:
- No cold or cough medicines at all.
- If you have been giving your child over-the-counter cold and cough medications you should stop immediately. These medications are not considered safe or effective.
- We suggest using a cool mist humidifier, elevating the head of your child’s bed, nasal saline and gentle suction as necessary, extra fluids, Tylenol or Motrin (for infants over 6 months of age only).
2 to 6 years of age:
- No cold medications are recommended.
- Plain Mucinex or benadryl may be given.
- Avoid the use of multi-symptom medications such as Tylenol Cold.
- Use a marked medication cup, syringe or measuring spoon for every medication that you give to your child.
- We suggest using a cool mist humidifier, elevating the head of your child’s bed, nasal saline and gentle suction as necessary, extra fluids, and Tylenol or Motrin as needed.
Over 6 years of age:
- Benadryl, Delsym or Mucinex may be used for the cough.
- We suggest using a cool mist humidifier, elevating the head of your child’s bed, extra fluids and Tylenol or Motrin as needed.
- If you should decide to use over-the-counter cold and cough preparations for a child over 6 years of age, be sure to measure the medication carefully, follow the dosing directions carefully, and do not give multiple medications.
Holiday Schedule 2010
- Closed Monday, May 31 (Memorial Day)
- Closed Saturday, July 3 (Independence Day)
- Closed Monday, September 6 (Labor Day)
- Open Wednesday, November 24 (9am - 1pm - Lawrenceville Office Only)
- Closed Thursday, November 25 (Thanksgiving)
- Open Friday, November 26 (9am - 1pm - Lawrenceville Office Only)
- Open Saturday, November 27 (9am - 12pm - Lawrenceville Office Only)
- Open Friday, December 24 (9am - 1pm - Lawrenceville Office Only)
- Closed Saturday, December 25 (Christmas Day)
- Open Friday, December 31 (9am to 1pm - Lawrenceville Office Only)
- Closed Saturday, January 1 (New Years Day)