Medical

National Standards for Systems of Care for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

Finding a Pediatrician

The best way to start looking for a pediatrician is by asking other parents you know and trust. They are likely to know you, your style, and your needs. You also should consider asking your obstetrician for advice. She will know local pediatricians who are competent and respected within the medical community. If you’re new to the community, you may decide to contact a nearby hospital, medical school, or county medical society for a list of local pediatricians. If you are a member of a managed care plan, you probably will be required to choose a pediatrician from among their approved network of doctors.

American Academy of Pediatrics

Once you have the names of several pediatricians you wish to consider, start by contacting and arranging a personal interview with each of them. Many pediatricians are happy to fit such preliminary interviews into their busy schedules. Before meeting with the pediatrician, the office staff should be able to answer some of your more basic questions: 

Contact your CSHCN Care Coordination nurse for assistance in finding a provider in your area.

• Is the pediatrician accepting new patients with my insurance or managed care plan?
• What are the office hours?
• What is the best time to call with routine questions? 
• Does the pediatrician take his/her own emergency calls at night or during off hours?  If not, how are calls handled?
• How does the office handle billing and insurance claims? Is payment due at the time of the visit?

Transition to Adult Health Care: For Youth and Young Adults

www.gottransition.org

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT TRANSITIONING TO ADULT HEALTH

DURING YOUR ADOLESCENT YEARS:

• When do I start to meet with you on my own for part of the visit to become more independent when it comes to my own health and health care?
• What do I need to learn to get ready for adult health care? Do you have a checklist of self-care skills that I need to learn?
• Can I work with you to prepare a Medical Summary and Emergency Care Plan?
• When I turn 18, what information about privacy and consent do I need to know about? If I need help with making health decisions, where can I get information about this?
• At what age do I need to change to a new doctor for adult health care?
• Do you have any suggestions of adult doctors to transfer to?

BEFORE MAKING THE FIRST APPOINTMENT TO A NEW ADULT DOCTOR:

• Do you take my health insurance?
• Where is your office located? Is there parking or is it near a metro/bus stop?
• What are your office hours, and do you have walk-in times?
• What is your policy about making and cancelling appointments?
• If needed, can the new adult doctor help me find adult specialty doctors?

BEFORE THE FIRST VISIT TO THE NEW ADULT DOCTOR

• Did you receive my medical summary from my pediatric doctor? (Call your pediatric doctor to remind them to send the medical summary before your first visit to the new adult doctor.)
• What should I bring to the first visit?