OFFICE POLICIES

Immunization Policy

The doctors in the office follow the immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. While there are legitimate reasons to deviate from the vaccine schedule (i.e., serious illness at the time of a well check up, shortage of vaccine), it is our policy to discourage the spreading of or splitting up of the vaccines. We do not give drop-in shots. If shots need to be given at a time not coinciding with a doctor's visit, please schedule a shot appointment with the front desk for the shot to be administered by a medical assistant. All shots that are being split up by parental choice will be given in the offices on designated days. Since catch-up administration of vaccines done for non-medical reasons involves additional staff time and is disruptive to the flow of our office, there will be a convenience fee of $50.00 over and above any co-payment required by your insurance. This fee is not covered by insurance and is due at the time of services.

School and Camp Forms

We are happy to complete any forms needed for school, camp or other activities. Please bring the form with you to your check up if possible and we will complete them and return them to you at the end of your visit for no additional charge. If the patient has a current check up, the form can be submitted by mail, faxed, or dropped off in person. There is a $15.00 charge for all forms that need to be completed by the physician and due to the high volume of forms we receive, please allow us 5 - 7 business days to get the form back to you. If there is a need for them sooner, there is an additional $10.00 "rush" surcharge. Please read all forms before submitting them to us to be sure your child is has had an exam within the required time. We cannot falsify dates. Please fill out all portions of the parent's section, especially any medication your child is receiving from another provider. All forms need to include instructions as to where to send the forms once completed, along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope if they are to be mailed.

Record Transfers

If transferring to our office from another practice, please request the records released to you and please bring them with you to your first visit in our office. If transferring our of our office, please download and complete or request our "Authorization to Release Medical Record" form. The form should be signed by the parent or legal guardian if the patient is under 18 years of age and by the patient themself if over the age of 18. There is a $25.00 fee for the copying and release of medical records that is due upon submission of the request.

Missed Appointments/Late Cancellations

If you are unable to keep a scheduled appointment, call the office a minimum of 24 hours ahead to cancel or reschedule that appointment. Failure to cancel your appointment without 24 hours notice will result in a $50.00 fee.

Co-Payments and Insurance Cards

At every office visit, be prepared to show your current insurance card and make a co-payment if your plan requires so. If your child is sent with a childcare provider, please make sure that person is prepared to make the co-payment.

Walk-In Appointments

All visits in our office are by appointment only. If you need to be seen by one of our physicians, please call the office and we will make our best effort to get you seen in a timely fashion. We are unable to accommodate patients that walk in the office without an appointment at that time, but will assess the situation and give an appropriate appointment.