ARE WE A GOOD FIT?

Vaccines will be discussd at every Well Child Visit, not to force vaccines, but just so you can make an educated decision for your child. Our Vaccine Policy follows the schedule outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). We are open to dicuss and create other schedules if you are not willing to follow the recommended schedule. 

We strive to avoid overusing antibiotics by educating families on their proper use and following evidence-based guidelines to ensure responsible prescribing. Many cases are viral and do not require antibiotic treatment. Instead, Dr. Bares and his crew take the time to explain alternative approaches and the importance of allowing the body to heal naturally when appropriate. 

Additionally, we do not routinely prescribe antibiotics over the phone, as we strongly believe it is not sound medical practice to do so without a proper assessment. Antibiotics are only prescribed when deemed necessary and appropriate after a thorough evaluation, prioritizing the well-being of our patients while avoiding the risks of antibiotic resistance and unnecessary side effects.

We work hard to provide comprehensive medical care and serve as your medical home. To that end, we urge you to contact our office FIRST before seeking specialty care or heading to another provider for urgent care. We want to be involved in either providing care in our office where appropriate or referring you to the most appropriate specialist and helping coordinate your care.

Whenever you do see a specialist, we ask that you request a report be sent directly to our office so we may stay informed and have the most up-to-date information in your child’s medical record.

Our practice prides itself on efficiency through the use of technology. Where applicable, you will be encouraged to consult our website, register for and use our patient portal, and effectively use automated reminders for appointments and routine care/immunizations that are due.

We make every effort to meet the needs of our patients, offering both routine well child visits and sick child visits. To ensure we provide you with the most efficient care we ask that you call to schedule an appointment when your child needs to be seen in our office.

If you need assistance after hours, our dedicated team is available 24/7/365 to provide after-hours pediatric urgent care. Call our main office number for urgent concerns only. 

Please save non-urgent concerns like mild illness, appointment requests, and prescription refills for regular office hours.

We encourage you to visit our child health resources for helpful information before calling our after-hours clinician.

Please ensure we participate with your insurance plan. It is your responsibility to understand the limits and coverage of your health insurance policy. Please present your insurance cards at each visit and be prepared to pay any copays at the time of service.

While our billing staff can assist with insurance inquiries, it's best to contact your insurance company directly for specific coverage questions. We strive to avoid any billing surprises, but we must bill your health plan according to federal guidelines and the actual services rendered.

Insurance copays should be paid at the time of service. If that's not possible, please contact the billing department before your visit to arrange a payment plan.

For sick visits, please contact our office directly. Our crew is available to assist you and provide guidance without the need for an appointment. If necessary, our nurses will consult with Dr. Bares and follow up with you.  

For well-child visits, please utilize our routine appointment line. These visits can be scheduled in advance, allowing you to select a date and time that best accommodates your schedule.

We value everyone's time equally. Please arrive 5 minutes before your appointment. 

While we understand that delays can happen, we may ask late arrivals to reschedule. 

Our practice strives to run on time, and missed appointments affect Dr. Bares, our nursing crew and other patients. A fee will be charged for canceled/missed appointments if 24 hours' notice is not given.