FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Will there be a co-pay for every visit?
A: Yes, however you should check with your insurance company regarding co-pays on well visits. We also charge an administration fee of $10 if a co-pay is not paid at the time of service.
Q: Should I arrive early if I am a new patient?
A: Yes, please arrive 10 minutes early. This will facilitate a timely visit with your physician.
Q: What do I need to bring for my newborn visit?
A: Please download our new patient forms, fill them out and bring them to your first visit.
Q: What should I do not have my newborns insurance card yet?
A: Make sure you have informed you insurance company of the baby’s birth. We can use the guarantor’ ID number for the first 30 days.
Q: What should I do if my child is admitted to the hospital?
A: You should contact your insurance company within 24 hours.
Q: Will I need a referral if the doctor sends my child for tests or to see a specialist?
A: Each insurance policy has different requirements. Call your insurance company for more information.
Q: What if I am going to be late for my appointment?
A: Please call our office if you are going to be late or cannot keep your appointment. The phone staff can assist you with rescheduling, if necessary.
Q: Why is it important for a provider from Columbia Basin Pediatrics to be listed as my Primary Care Physician (PCP)?
A: If you insurance requires a PCP and one of our providers is not listed, this may result in the charges being denied by your insurance and you being financially responsible for all dates of service.
Q: How do I know what is covered under my insurance plan?
A: You will need to verify coverage with you insurance. Most insurance plans have a website that you can access or you can call the customer service number located on the back of you ID card.
Q: How do I refill my child’s prescription medication?
A: For medication refills, we ask that you have your pharmacy fax at (509) 946-1995. We do require that your child receive yearly physicals and regular 3 month medication checks to have ADHD medication refilled.
A: Yes, however you should check with your insurance company regarding co-pays on well visits. We also charge an administration fee of $10 if a co-pay is not paid at the time of service.
Q: Should I arrive early if I am a new patient?
A: Yes, please arrive 10 minutes early. This will facilitate a timely visit with your physician.
Q: What do I need to bring for my newborn visit?
A: Please download our new patient forms, fill them out and bring them to your first visit.
Q: What should I do not have my newborns insurance card yet?
A: Make sure you have informed you insurance company of the baby’s birth. We can use the guarantor’ ID number for the first 30 days.
Q: What should I do if my child is admitted to the hospital?
A: You should contact your insurance company within 24 hours.
Q: Will I need a referral if the doctor sends my child for tests or to see a specialist?
A: Each insurance policy has different requirements. Call your insurance company for more information.
Q: What if I am going to be late for my appointment?
A: Please call our office if you are going to be late or cannot keep your appointment. The phone staff can assist you with rescheduling, if necessary.
Q: Why is it important for a provider from Columbia Basin Pediatrics to be listed as my Primary Care Physician (PCP)?
A: If you insurance requires a PCP and one of our providers is not listed, this may result in the charges being denied by your insurance and you being financially responsible for all dates of service.
Q: How do I know what is covered under my insurance plan?
A: You will need to verify coverage with you insurance. Most insurance plans have a website that you can access or you can call the customer service number located on the back of you ID card.
Q: How do I refill my child’s prescription medication?
A: For medication refills, we ask that you have your pharmacy fax at (509) 946-1995. We do require that your child receive yearly physicals and regular 3 month medication checks to have ADHD medication refilled.
Q: What is a “Well Check” visit?
A: The “Well Check” visit is a visit dedicated to reviewing the routine aspects of your child’s health (feeding, nutrition, sleep, behavior and development, etc.) These visits also include immunizations and education regarding routine preventative care. We always provide adequate time to answer any questions you may have about your child.
Q: How often should I schedule a Well Check visit for my child?
A: We follow the schedule of routine well child visits established by the American Academy of Pediatrics. We start with an Initial newborn visit 2 weeks after your child is born. Routine well checks are then scheduled at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months of age. Yearly visits are recommended on or after each birthday.
Q: Can my child be seen without a parent being present?
A: Only sick children may be seen without a parent/guardian being present and he child must be accompanied by another adult, with written permission from you. No child under the age of 16 can be seen for a yearly well checkup without a parent/guardian present. Children over the age of 16 can be seen without a parent/guardian present, if they have written permission from the parent/guardian.
Q: Do you allow walk-in visits?
A: Our office is operated on an appointment basis. Walk-ins are strongly discouraged. In the event you walk-in, the next available appointment time slot will be given to your child, however scheduled appointments will be seen first.
Q: Will we see only one provider at Columbia Basin Pediatrics or can we see any provider?
A: We recommend that you familiarize yourself with both of out providers. Alternating visits will allow each of our providers to serve your child’s medical needs. Our providers meet regularly to ensure continuity of care.
Q: What do I need to do, prior to my baby’s delivery, if I choose to use Columbia Basin Pediatrics as my baby’s pediatrician?
A: All you need to do is let the hospital know that you have chosen us as your baby’s pediatrician, and they will let our doctor know. The doctor will come to the hospital within 24 hours. If you’re not a current patient of ours, please call and schedule a meet and greet visit with our doctor, prior to your delivery date.
A: The “Well Check” visit is a visit dedicated to reviewing the routine aspects of your child’s health (feeding, nutrition, sleep, behavior and development, etc.) These visits also include immunizations and education regarding routine preventative care. We always provide adequate time to answer any questions you may have about your child.
Q: How often should I schedule a Well Check visit for my child?
A: We follow the schedule of routine well child visits established by the American Academy of Pediatrics. We start with an Initial newborn visit 2 weeks after your child is born. Routine well checks are then scheduled at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months of age. Yearly visits are recommended on or after each birthday.
Q: Can my child be seen without a parent being present?
A: Only sick children may be seen without a parent/guardian being present and he child must be accompanied by another adult, with written permission from you. No child under the age of 16 can be seen for a yearly well checkup without a parent/guardian present. Children over the age of 16 can be seen without a parent/guardian present, if they have written permission from the parent/guardian.
Q: Do you allow walk-in visits?
A: Our office is operated on an appointment basis. Walk-ins are strongly discouraged. In the event you walk-in, the next available appointment time slot will be given to your child, however scheduled appointments will be seen first.
Q: Will we see only one provider at Columbia Basin Pediatrics or can we see any provider?
A: We recommend that you familiarize yourself with both of out providers. Alternating visits will allow each of our providers to serve your child’s medical needs. Our providers meet regularly to ensure continuity of care.
Q: What do I need to do, prior to my baby’s delivery, if I choose to use Columbia Basin Pediatrics as my baby’s pediatrician?
A: All you need to do is let the hospital know that you have chosen us as your baby’s pediatrician, and they will let our doctor know. The doctor will come to the hospital within 24 hours. If you’re not a current patient of ours, please call and schedule a meet and greet visit with our doctor, prior to your delivery date.
QUESTIONS ABOUT ANTIBIOTICS
Antibiotics are among the wonder drugs of our time. But these drugs can cause more harm than good when used incorrectly. Here are some commonly asked questions regarding the use of antibiotics:
Q: Do antibiotics work against all infections?
A: No, antibiotics work only against bacterial infections, not viral infections.
Q: What is a “bacterial resistance?”
A: Antibiotics usually kill bacteria or stop them from growing, but some bacteria have grown stronger and antibiotics won’t work against them. These stronger bacteria are called “resistant”. Resistant bacteria develop when antibiotics are used too often, incorrectly. When you take antibiotics and you don’t need them, you increase the chance you’ll get an illness caused by resistant germs.
Q: What can I do to help myself and my family?
A: Don’t expect antibiotics to cure every illness. Don’t take them for cold and or flu.
Q: How should I take an antibiotic my doctor prescribes?
A: Follow your doctor’s directions carefully. Don’t miss a dose. Don’t stop taking it because you feel better. Taking less of an antibiotic when you need it will not help prevent antibiotic resistance. Do not take any antibiotics that may have been left over from a prior illness.
Q: Do antibiotics work against all infections?
A: No, antibiotics work only against bacterial infections, not viral infections.
Q: What is a “bacterial resistance?”
A: Antibiotics usually kill bacteria or stop them from growing, but some bacteria have grown stronger and antibiotics won’t work against them. These stronger bacteria are called “resistant”. Resistant bacteria develop when antibiotics are used too often, incorrectly. When you take antibiotics and you don’t need them, you increase the chance you’ll get an illness caused by resistant germs.
Q: What can I do to help myself and my family?
A: Don’t expect antibiotics to cure every illness. Don’t take them for cold and or flu.
Q: How should I take an antibiotic my doctor prescribes?
A: Follow your doctor’s directions carefully. Don’t miss a dose. Don’t stop taking it because you feel better. Taking less of an antibiotic when you need it will not help prevent antibiotic resistance. Do not take any antibiotics that may have been left over from a prior illness.