We are committed to providing the best care possible. Understanding your financial responsibility is considered part of your medical management. Our financial/office policy is an agreement between the providers of the practice and the child's parent, guardian, or responsible party (18+ yrs old). Your understanding of this patient-provider agreement is important to our professional relationship.
Policies
Olney Pediatrics follows the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for the vaccination of children. The waiving of certain vaccines, unless medically necessary, is not acceptable for patients in this practice. (See Vaccine Policy below).
In order to maintain an active status, patients must stay current with well visits. (Once a year after age 3, more frequently from newborn to age 3).
Certain medications require more frequent in-person visits with the doctor in order to continue medication refills.
A parent/legal guardian MUST be present at all well child visits for patients under 18yrs old.
If you arrive 15 or more minutes late to your appointment, you may be asked to reschedule and the appointment will be considered missed.
Reminder calls/texts are a courtesy and we do our best to make them 1-2 days prior to the appointment. Failure to receive one does not absolve you of your responsibility to keep your appointment.
Please expect 3-5 business days for all forms, referrals, and prescription refill requests.
Vaccine Policy
We strongly believe that vaccinating children and young adults is the single most important intervention we can perform as health care providers, and that you can perform as parents/caregivers. At Olney Pediatrics, we strongly believe that all patients in our practice should be vaccinated according to the annually published Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. Unless there is a valid medical exemption, all patients in our practice must receive all immunizations required by the state of Maryland for school attendance, according to the schedule of doses published annually by the CDC. If you refuse to vaccinate your child, we will ask that you find another health care provider who shares your views.
Insurance
Insurance cards must be available at EVERY visit. Payment for services is due at the time services are rendered except as outlined below. Insurance plans vary considerably, and we cannot predict or guarantee what part of our services will or will not be covered. It is the responsibility of the patient/responsible adult to provide accurate and timely insurance information. Inaccurate or untimely information provided to the staff that results in denial or non-coverage by your insurance may result in you being responsible for payment.
If we do not participate with your insurance or you have no insurance:
Payment for services is due at the time of service unless arrangements have been made in advance. We will provide you with an itemized bill so that you may submit for reimbursement.
Billing*
We accept, cash, checks and most major credit cards. Outstanding balances are due within 30 days, unless prior arrangements have been made. An additional $10 billing fee will be added to balances more than 60 days past due. An additional $10 billing fee will be added to balances that remain outstanding more than 90 days and a final request for payent letter will be issued. Balances not paid in full within 10 days of the date on the final request letter will be issued. Balances not paid in full within 10 days of the date on the final request letter will be forwarded to a collection agency. If your account is forwarded to a collection agency, we will continue to see your child on an emergency basis only for 30 days, giving you time to find a new source of medical care.
Returned Checks*
There is a $35 fee for any check returned to us from your banking institution and your account will be placed on a "cash/credit card only" basis until the balance is cleared.
Missed appointments/late (less than 24hr notice) cancellations*
Missed/late cancellation appointments represent a cost to us, you, and to other patients who could have been seen in the time set aside for you.
A $50 charge, per child, for missed/late cancellations for Well Child/ADHD/Behavioral issue appointments with a doctor.
A $25 charge, per child, for missed/late cancellations for other types of appointments with a doctor or nurse. Your family could be subject to dismissal from the practice for a third or subsequent missed appointments.
After Hours and Weekend/Holiday Appointments*
There may be an additional fee charged for visits occurring on weekends, holidays, before and after hours. We will bill this charge to the participating insurance plan. You may be responsible if your insurance carrier does not cover this charge.
Divorced/Separated Parents
If there is a custody dispute and a parent is not privileged to a patient's information, please provide us a copy of the legal document. The accompanying parent or adult is responsible for payment at the time of service. It is your responsibility to work out the payment of your child's medical care between custodial and non-custodial parent.
Newborn Enrollment
It is essential that you contact your insurance plan or the policy holder's HR department to enroll your newborn on your policy, within the first 30 days. We recommend doing this within the first few days of your baby being born as it often takes a few weeks for the baby to show up on the plan as a covered member.
Medical Records*
With the signed request from the patient (if 18y+), parent, or legal guardian, we will provide you with a copy of your child's medical record. There is a charge of $20 per child. Please allow 2 weeks to complete. Immunization records can be obtained thru the Patient Portal.
Camp/School Forms*
Forms will only be completed if the child has had a well visit within the last 12 months. (Well Visit: One per year after age 3, more frequently from newborn to 3 years). There is a charge of $20 per child for certain forms, each time the doctor has to fill them out. We suggest you keep copies of all forms as they may be good for up to one year of the date of the last physical exam.
*Note: Most of these fees are waived by state law for children enrolled in Maryland Children's Health Insurance Program - Medicaid