Please take a moment to read our most commonly asked questions. We're always available to answer your questions and encourage you to contact our office if you have a question that is not answered below.
FAQs
FAQs
What is a Pediatrician?
A pediatrician is a medical doctor who specializes in the care of children. Pediatricians have undergone special training in the health and illnesses of infants, teens and young adults. Most pediatricians, including all of our doctors, are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics after completing specified training and passing a comprehensive written examination. Many pediatricians participate also in ongoing Maintenance of Certification activities to continually improve their knowledge and skills.
Pediatricians provide preventive health care for children in good health and medical care for children who are acutely or chronically ill. They also provide parents with support and advice on issues such as growth and development, safety, prevention of illness, nutrition, and emotional wellness to foster a lifetime of good health.
Can I meet my pediatrician before my baby is born?
Yes, in fact we strongly encourage parents-to-be to visit our office for a prenatal appointment. This is a great way to get acquainted with our office and our doctors. During this visit, we will answer any questions that you have about our practice or your new child.
How often should my child see the pediatrician?
Your child should not only see the pediatrician for illnesses. It is also important to schedule well-child exams regularly, beginning in infancy. Also called well-care visits or check-ups, these routine examinations provide the best opportunity for the doctor to observe the progress of your child's physical and mental growth and development, to counsel and teach parents, to detect problems through the physical examination and screening tests, to provide immunizations, and to get to know one another. Well-care visits are strongly recommended as part of preventive pediatric care.
Well-child visits are also a good time for parents to raise questions and concerns about a child's development, behavior, nutrition, safety and overall well-being.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends this schedule for routine well-care visits:
- 3 to 5 days
- 1 month (We usually see newborns at 1-2 weeks.)
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months
- 15 months
- 18 months
- 24 months
- 30 months
- 3 years
- 4 years
- And once every year thereafter for an annual health supervision visit that includes a physical exam as well as a developmental, behavioral, and learning assessment. (Please be aware that some insurance plans will cover well checks only once every 12 months while others will allow one each calendar year.)
What is the best way to schedule an appointment with your office?
You can schedule an appointment by calling our office during regular business hours at 309-662-0504 and select option 3.
How do I reach the on-call pediatrician for emergencies when the office is closed?
Parents who need to contact us about urgent medical concerns outside of office hours should call the office phone number, 309-662-0504. This will connect the caller to pediatric nurses at St. Louis Children's Hospital. They are trained to answer most common questions. They will contact our doctor on call for more complex matters. We ask respectfully that routine matters, including medication refills, be handled during office hours.
What's Included in a Well Child Visit?
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN A WELL CHILD VISIT?
We are so glad you asked! The providers here at Bloomington Pediatrics pride themselves on offering a comprehensive exam at each of your child’s routine well visits. These appointments provide the best opportunity for the provider to observe the progress of your child’s physical and mental growth and development, to provide counseling and education to parents and caregivers, to detect potential concerns through physical examination and screening tests, provide immunizations, and develop the provider-patient-parent relationship! This is also the ideal time for parents to raise questions and concerns about their child’s development, behavior, nutrition, safety, and overall well-being.
Below are the typical services you may see on the charges submitted to your insurance company. Many services are age/child-specific, so you won’t see them every time.
- Well child physical exam
- Developmental screening
- Vision screening
- Health risk assessment
- Emotional/behavioral screening
- Sports health screening
- Immunizations
- Screening lab tests
Please note that while most well-child preventative care is covered, some services may not be included in that coverage for your plan. Please check with your insurance company for detailed coverage information. Our billing department is available to meet with you to answer any questions you have about specific services.
We understand that sometimes health concerns unrelated to well care can come up during a well-child visit. Our providers are happy to address those concerns while you are here, as their schedule allows. Complex concerns may need more time and require an additional appointment. Please note that concerns outside the scope of a well-child visit may be billed an additional office visit charge, which would be subject to a copay, deductible, and/or co-insurance as dictated by your insurance company.
Thank you for entrusting your child’s care to us!
It is our privilege to care for your family in sickness and in health!
Why does my child need to receive vaccinations?
Immunizations are a series of shots given to children at different ages to help ward off serious, and potentially fatal, childhood diseases. Making sure your child receives immunizations when scheduled is the best way to help protect your child from potentially fatal diseases. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, vaccinations have reduced the number of infections from vaccine-preventable diseases by more than 90%. (A recent study found that more lives were saved by vaccines in the 20th century than were lost in all wars during the same period.) If you're apprehensive about vaccinations, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
