Why is the wait so long?

No one likes to wait at the doctor's office.  We don't want our patients to have long waits.   Unfortunately, with pediatrics, there are always things that come up unexpectedly in our schedule. Phone calls to or from parents or pharmacies, calls to or from specialists, transfer of patients to the hospital, a walk-in laceration or asthma attack.We can be running right on time, but one patient is all it takes to fall behind.  Please be patient with us! Remember if it is your child that needs the extra time, we will take that time!

What makes the wait so long?

Sick Children 

Most of our “sick” appointments are fairly quick visits, and are scheduled as such.  But sometimes children come in who are sicker than others and require more time (breathing treatments, stitches,  admission to the hospital, sending for x-ray, or short observation as they sip fluids over a few hours). 

These encounters take extra physician and nurse time and may tie up an exam room and staff for quite a while. Please understand that this may happen any time, and even an otherwise low patient volume day can be consumed by one sick or injured child. 

Most importantly...if it is your child, we will spend the required time to adequately treat him/her.

Other things that can delay or prolong the time in the office:

Address, Insurance and other “bookkeeping” information.  

Please be ready with all current insurance information as you check in.  For all new patients and existing patients with insurance changes, our receptionists may need to call the insurance company to verify information, so please arrive early for your appointments.

We must have an updated Demographic form on file yearly, as well as copies of insurance cards.   Having these ready when you arrive is helpful.

School physical forms.

Often school age kids come in for sport physicals.  The form has to be filled out before the physician can see the patient.  Please fill it out before coming to the office.  You can find a copy of the form for download on our Forms page. 

Walk-ins.  

We will accomodate every child who needs to be seen, ill or injured, and will try our best provide timely, quality care to your child!

What do I need to bring to a visit?

New Patients -

• Insurance cards
• Shot Records
• Custody papers (if applicable)
• Co-pay (if applicable) 
• New Patient form (or be prepare to complete in office)
• Record Release from other clinics/hospitals - you may be asked to complete this in the office

Returning Patients-

• Insurance cards
• Copay (if applicable)
• Demo Update (if has been >1 year since last update)

Physicals sports, KBH, pre-op

• Any special forms required by school, daycare, or surgery center
• Shot records 
• Insurance cards

How can I transfer my child's records?

Any transfer of medical records must be requested in writing and must include the full name and birth date of the patient, along with a signature from the legally responsible parent or guardian. Please include addresses and phone numbers of the other office. Our office provides a form to fill out to make this process easy, found on our Forms & Policies page. 

 What should we do for after hours care?

Occasionally parents need to speak with a physician after hours.

We will be glad to help those parents whose children are sick after hours.

Non-emergent questions should be addressed to the office to be answered during normal business hours. Our staff will make every attempt to get back to you as soon as possible.

If you feel your child needs to be seen urgently after hours, please go to the nearby Emergency room or Urgent Care Center.