Clinic Policies

Appointments and Scheduling

We strive to provide each of our patients with the full time and attention they need, but also to provide all of our patients timely and equitable access.

  • Please call the office to schedule an appointment. We will call one (business) day prior to confirm your appointment. Please make sure we have an up-to-date phone number when you schedule your appointment.
  • If you have an appointment for one child and would like to add-on a sibling at the same appointment time, please call ahead to request the appointment before coming to the office. Walk-ins and add-on visits may be accommodated only if there is an available appointment time. Scheduled visits will take priority over walk-ins and add-ons.
  • If you need to cancel or reschedule your visit, please let us know at least one day before your scheduled appointment.
  • Appoints will be canceled and considered missed if you have arrived after 15 minutes past your appointment time. Patients who miss their appointment without calling to cancel at least one day in advance may be charged at $25 no-show fee. No-show appointments reduce our ability to serve other patients. Families that repeatedly no-show appointments may be dismissed from the clinic.

Well Visits and Immunizations

Preventative care is a core principle in providing the best pediatric care to our patients. This includes regular visits to provide comprehensive well care, screening, anticipatory guidance, and immunizations.

  • We recommend well visits at the following intervals:
    • 3-5 days, 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months
    • 15 months, 18 months, 24 months, 2 1/2 years, 3 years
    • Annually after 3 years old
  • Well visits are scheduled in advance, based on your child’s age, and are for the evaluation of your child’s growth and development, nutrition, and physical and emotional well-being. If your child coincidentally has a minor, acute issue such as a cold or allergies, it may be addressed at the same visit. However, if your child has a more serious illness or injury (fever, needing tests or X-rays, etc.), we may perform an office “sick” visit instead, and reschedule the well visit so that we may better assess your child at their baseline health.
  • Immunizations are one of the most important health interventions modern medicine can offer, both to the individual child and for public health. We acknowledge that there are some risks involved with vaccines, but we strongly believe that the benefits of vaccines far outweigh the risks. We also acknowledge that as a parent, you have the fundamental right to judge the risks and benefits yourself, and to make the decision whether or not to vaccinate your child. Because we seek to maintain a collaborative relationship with our patient families, we are happy to discuss the case for immunizations and to answer any questions. However, if you do not want your child to receive immunizations, we recommend that you seek care with another provider.
  • We do not offer vaccine exemptions for any required vaccines except in cases of medical contraindications.
  • We do not offer “alternative vaccines schedules” such as the Dr. Sears schedule. We give vaccines according to the CDC ACIP vaccine schedule.
  • We offer the following vaccinations:
    • Hepatitis B
    • Rotavirus
    • Pneumococcus (PCV)
    • Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Whooping Cough (DTaP / Tdap)
    • Polio
    • Haemophilus (HIB)
    • Varicella (Chickenpox)
    • Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
    • Hepatitis A
    • Meningococcus ACWY
  • We also offer the following vaccinations as optional but recommended:
    • Seasonal Influenza
    • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
    • RSV (RSV-mAb)
    • Meningococcus B
    • COVID-19

Medication Refills

  • Refills for medications to treat ADHD, behavior, and mood disorders will be electronically prescribed only if your child has been seen by Dr. Chang in the past 3 months with no changes to the medication regimen.
  • Most other prescription medications may be refilled as long as your child has been seen in our office in the past year.
  • Most new prescriptions, such as antibiotics, require an office visit for accurate diagnosis first.
  • We do not call in cough medicine.

Billing and Payment

  • We will make every effort to verify insurance benefits prior to your visit, but it remains the parent’s responsibility to maintain health insurance coverage for the child, and to understand the benefits and payment obligations of the individual policy.
  • Payments for services, including deductibles and co-payments, are due upon checking in for your appointment.
  • Services in addition to the office visit, such as in-office lab tests, may result in additional patient payment obligations, depending on the individual insurance policy.
  • We accept payment in cash, personal check, and credit or debit card.
  • For patients with “HMO”-type plans, you must have Dr. Chang listed as the primary care doctor (PCP) on your child’s policy before your appointment. Please see our Insurance information page for details, or call the office for assistance.
  • Verification of insurance eligibility at time of visit does not relieve the parent of responsibility for payment of services.

Patient Privacy

Patient medical information is governed by laws such as the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act. Please see our Notice of Privacy Practices for complete details about your privacy rights and options.

  • For patients under 18 years old, medical information will only be released to the patient’s biological mother and father, or legal guardian. Additional people may be designated in the patient’s chart. We cannot withhold medical information from a biological parent except under specific court orders.
  • For patients 18 years old and over, medical information will only be released directly to the patient unless we have permission from the patient to release information.
  • A grandparent, adult sibling, or adult aunt/uncle of the patient may bring the child to his/her appointment. Other adults (e.g. babysitter) must have a written consent form signed by the child’s parent. Please ask our front desk if you have any questions.
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