Financial and Billing
Our billing practices and policies are fairly standard for the medical industry. We recognize the financial burden placed on families; and we do our best to minimize its impact. Please understand, however, that the responsibility for coordination of benefits lies between families and their insurance company. Accordingly, payment such as deductibles and copays are expected at the time of your appointment. Patients who cannot remit payment at the time of their appointment may be charged a nominal fee.
Missed Appointments
Cancelation of a visit with less than 24 hours notice will result in a ‘no-show’ fee which may range from $50-$150, depending on the type of visit missed. This charge will be assessed regardless of insurance coverage.
Insurance Cards and Demographics
In order to avoid problems with billing, insurance, and communication, we ask that you regularly present insurance cards and provide updates or changes in address, email, phone numbers, etc. Please ensure that you have your insurance i.d. card available.
Social Media
The reputations of small business, including medical practices, thrive on reviews. Due to confidentiality and privacy issues, we cannot respond to comments posted online; and as your pediatric healthcare partner, we depend on your positivity! Our families are expected to acknowledge and abide by our social media policy: If you have had anything less than a positive experience, you will let us know promptly—in person, by phone, or email—providing us an opportunity to rectify the situation. You also agree not to post overtly negative or misleading comments online, without affording us this opportunity. We are always available to talk with you openly about your concerns, whether personal, medical, financial, or administrative. We are always here to help.
Content of Visits
We perform all recommended and required screenings during well visits. We believe performing these procedures and or offering these services are in your child’s best interest. Your insurance carrier may or may not cover specific services performed during a well-visit. Please be aware that you may be responsible for copayments for consultations and evaluations for conditions or concerns discussed during a well visit.
Schedule of Visits for the First Year
We are aware that insurance company’s have increasingly shifted financial responsibility to patients and families. Almost all major carriers allow for (seven) 7 preventative care visits during the first year of life, including the 1 year-old visit (regardless of when that visit occurs). In order to minimize the financial impact on families with high-deductible plans, we offer the following:
Newborn visits (billed as acute care)
• Hospital follow up for the first visit
• Weight checks and or lactation consult
Preventative care visits (bill as well visits)
• 2 week well-visit
• 1 month well-visit
• 2 month well visit
• 4 month well visit
• 6 month well visit
• 9 month well visit
• 12 month well visit (regardless of when it occurs)
Please note that deductibles and co-pays for acute care and preventative care vary from plan to plan. Our goal is to minimize the financial impact of “excessive” well visits during the first year, as they tend to be more costly for the majority of families. We can only adjust our billing or charges due to financial hardship. We are happy and available to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Thank you!
Well Visits and Consultations
We believe preventative health visits are invaluable. While we prefer to see children and adolescents annually, some insurance providers limit the frequency of well visits after 5-7 years of age. Additionally, we make no distinction between well visits, annual physicals, or sports physicals. It is your responsibility to know when an annual physical is due and what your insurance covers (as some company’s allow for one physical per calendar year, only after a birthday, or based exclusively on your child’s age. Please let us know if your insurance carrier does not cover a well visit.
Consultations for medications, behavioral management, or breastfeeding advice are scheduled for 30 minutes and are fairly comprehensive. All children receiving controlled substances for ADHD or medications for anxiety and depression are required to be seen every 3-6 months. Copayments and deductibles may apply. We will do our best to minimize the financial impact these visits may have on your family. However, it is our responsibility to provide the highest standard of care for your children.
Well Visits (billed as preventative care)
• Annual Physicals
• Sports Physicals
• School Physicals
Consultations (billed as comprehensive acute care)
• Controlled Substances: every 3- 6 months (variable)
• Behavior Consultations
• Lactation or Breastfeeding Consultations*
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