Update of Information
If at any time you have changes in your demographic or insurance information you should update your information with our office as soon as possible. Having the correct information on file enables our office to correctly bill for services rendered in addition to allowing our staff to get in touch with you in regards to your child. You may update your information over the phone, in office or visit our forms page and completing the update of information form. Once you have completed the form you may return it to our office via email or fax.
Insurance
We participate in most major health insurance plans. Please check with your insurance carrier before treatment to ensure that you have coverage and verify that we are listed with your plan. It is expected that you verify and understand your coverage prior to your visit. Know which lab and x-ray facilities you are required to use. Not all services are covered under your office visit copay and may be subject to your policy deductible or coinsurance. Non-covered services will be the patient’s responsibility at the time of service.
If you have a change of insurance please notify our office as soon as possible. For your convenience you can print the Change of Insurance form and fax back to our office once completed. If you are unable to provide us with complete and current insurance information at the time of service, or if we are unable to verify coverage, we will require payment in full for services rendered. If the needed information is provided in a timely manner, we can resubmit your claims to the insurance carrier for processing.
Payment for Services
All Co-pays, co-insurances, deductibles and non-covered items are due at the time of service. You may pay by cash, check, or credit card. Payment arrangements may be applicable in some cases, however, those situations must be pre-approved by the billing department staff. Private pay patients, those who have no insurance coverage, may receive a discount for prompt payment.
New Patients
When scheduling an appointment for a new patient, all insurance, demographic, and patient information will be requested at that time. If any information is not available, we ask that you call back once it has been obtained. Your insurance card is required when you come in to the office, as a co-payment or deductible will be collected at that time. Please arrive 20 minutes early for your appointment on your first visit. We ask that all paperwork be filled out before you arrive for your appointment. Please visit our forms page to print and complete the required paperwork. Once completed you may send via email or fax back to our office. Also, please remember to bring your child’s immunization record.
Medical Records
A written request is required from the parent/guardian of the child in order to release records. A fee of $25.00 per child is due prior to the records being released. Please allow up to 15 business days for processing once we have received the written request and payment. A copy of your child immunization record can be obtained from our front desk during normal business hours at no charge. For your convenience you may visit our forms page to complete the required forms. If you would like to view information from the Texas Medical Board regarding the fees associated with the release of your medical records please visit http://www.tmb.state.tx.us/rules/rules/165.php
Camp and School Physical Forms
If you need a doctor to complete and sign a camp or school physical form please drop off the form at our front desk or fax the form to our office at 512-338-8510. If your child is 5 years or older please complete the Health Questionnaire and submit with your form. All children must be current on their Well Child Exams and a fee of $10.00 will be due upon completion of the form. Please allow up to 48 hours for processing. Forms completed at the time of your child’s appointment will not incur the $10.00 form fee.
Late Patients
If you arrive later than 10 minutes to your appointment, you may be asked to reschedule. If there are openings that have not been filled in the same day’s schedule, an appointment may be given at that time.
No shows
We understand that there may be times when you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment. We ask that you call to reschedule these appointments 24 hours in advance so that we may offer the appointment time to another patient. Appointments not
cancelled 24 hours prior to the appointment time will be charged a $25
cancellation fee.
Prescription Refills
All refill requests should be made by telephone to your pharmacy. The pharmacy staff will contact our office for approval. We ask that you allow 24-48 hours for refill requests. Please be aware that certain prescriptions may require a recheck appointment before they can be refilled.
Consent for Medical Care
If someone other than the legal parent or guardian will be bringing the child in for medical care, we must have a written authorization on file before the child can be seen. Please complete the Consent for Medical Care form and return to our office via fax or in person.
Retail Based Clinics
Recently you may have seen that they are now opening clinics in retail stores to provide care for minor illnesses. The Academy of Pediatrics has issued statements against the use of these clinics. Northwest Pediatrics supports the Academy, and strongly encourages a medical home. For our patient’s convenience, we have morning walk-in sick clinic hours, Monday through Saturday as well as some urgent sick care after hours. We also have same day sick appointments available. We are able to coordinate follow up care as well as referrals to a specialist.
Please note that referrals, prescriptions, etc will not be done based on care provided at these clinics unless our provider has the opportunity to examine the child.
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