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OUR POLICIES

APPOINTMENT POLICY

  • Visits are by appointment only. We will make every effort to accommodate walk-ins, but scheduled appointments will take priority.

  • We make every effort to offer same day sick appointments for your convenience.

  • We ask that you check in 5-10 minutes prior to your appointment time to give you time to update any required information and complete necessary forms that may be needed during your appointment.

  • You will receive appointment reminders by text, e-mail, and/or phone calls to confirm your appointment. If you need to cancel or reschedule your child’s appointment, we will be happy to assist you. Please make appointment changes no later than 24 hours (1 business day) before your appointment. 

LATE ARRIVALS / NO SHOWS

  • Patients arriving more than 10 minutes past their appointment time will be worked in and/or offered a later appointment for the same day, if available.

  • Patients arriving more than 20 minutes past their appointment time will be considered “no-show” and may be assessed any relevant fees.

  • We will make every effort to see your child in a timely manner. Please try to be prompt for appointments.

  • As a courtesy, we will remind you of missed appointments and try to reschedule your child as soon as possible.

  • Three “no-shows” or same-day cancellations per family may result in fees or dismissal from the practice.

WELL CHILD VISITS

Southern Sprouts Pediatrics strives to keep our patients as healthy as possible and we believe that yearly wellness examinations and care are of the utmost importance.  Patients from birth through age 21 are recommended to have a complete physical examination YEARLY to participate in our practice. 

We will periodically send out reminder recalls of yearly checkups or overdue vaccines. Be aware that some insurance plans may require a full 12-month time span between routine checkups. 

SICK VISITS / SICK AT WELL VISITS

We are required to document any ADDITIONAL concerns or conditions that are reported or assessed at well visits. Additional findings/diagnoses may require a CO-PAY at your child’s well visit as well as other fees that may NOT be covered by your insurance and/or applied to your deductible. Examples may include fever, minor  infections, or other problems that require additional attention, laboratory testing, or prescription therapy.

AFTER HOURS / URGENT CARE

If you call our office after business hours or anytime we are not open, you will be directed to an answering service. Calls will be returned within one hour. ​

  • If you have a medical emergency, please dial 911. 

  • We prefer you contact our office before going to any urgent care or emergency room.  Urgent cares can treat minor illnesses and injuries, however, if your child needs urgent emergency medical treatment, please proceed to a local emergency room.

FINANCIAL POLICY

  • Insurance- Southern Sprouts Pediatrics participates with most insurance plans. Each insurance policy is different, therefore, it’s important to contact your insurance company if you have any questions regarding your benefits and for you to know what your payment obligations will be at the time of service. If your insurance company denies coverage, or we otherwise do not receive payment 60 days from filing your claim, the amount will then become due and payable by you.

  • Copayments and Deductibles- Depending on your insurance policy, a copayment and/or deductible may be required and is expected to be made at the time of service.  Payment may be made in cash, by check or by card. **Please note that the copayment is a contractual requirement from the insurance company and cannot be written off by the clinic. 

  • Newborn Coverage-Not all insurance policies offer automatic coverage for new babies. You typically have 30 days from birth to add your child to an insurance plan. Please bring the insurance card of the parent to the first office visit, and then present the child’s card to the office once available.

PATIENTS WITHOUT INSURANCE COVERAGE

We are happy to work with families that prefer to pay directly for services or do not have insurance.

We will provide a cash price list at the time of service.

NO SHOW FEE

Missing an appointment without giving prior notice to the practice deprives other patients of the chance to fill that appointment slot.  We require notice of at least 1 business day for all cancellations. We do understand same day emergencies may occur and will consider those circumstances, but failure to notify the clinic in a timely manner may result in a no-show fee. Repeated no-shows will possibly result in dismissal or a request to transfer out of the practice.

DIVORCED/SEPARATED PARENTS/CUSTODIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Our practice DOES NOT get involved in disputes between divorced, separated or custodial parenting arrangements regarding financial responsibility for their child’s medical expenses. By signing as the responsible party, you agree to be financially responsible for the care we provide to your child, regardless of whether a divorce decree, custodial or other arrangement places that obligation on your former spouse or the child’s other parent. We will be happy to provide receipts for paid medical bills for you as requested.

SCHOOL AND CAMP POLICY

Physical forms that need to be completed for school and camp will require a physical examination at Southern Sprouts Pediatrics within the last year. 

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  • You may mail, fax, or drop off forms to the office.

  • Please allow 3 business days for all forms to be completed and ready for pick up.

  • Forms for each preschool, school, and college may have slight variations, so we request that you print and fill out your portion of the form prior to submitting it to the clinic.

 

Below are the links for the following forms:

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LHSAA PHYSICAL FORM

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