Pediatrician Interview Fees??

NOUptowngirl

I may be behind in the finding a pediatrician timeline, but I have started to make calls to set up interviews.  I figured that I would interview at two different groups.  Since we are not from MD originally, we don't really have any knowledge on who to go to.  So far one group charges $50 and the other $40.  Does this seem normal?

photo_nut

I have never heard of being charged. Maybe they do and maybe I never ran into them, but once place I went to even had a "parents night" to meet the pediatricians after work hours. I interviewed 3 or 4 and never paid a fee.

Honestly if they did, I'd run in the other direction, I mean, either they are too busy and are trying to discourage taking up their time to ask questions, or they are going to charge for every little thing. 

NOUptowngirl

which brings me to charging to fill out health forms and fulfilling record requests.  Is that also not normal?

 

Who do you go to? 

photo_nut

NOUptowngirl:

which brings me to charging to fill out health forms and fulfilling record requests.  Is that also not normal?

Who do you go to? 

Well copying files I do understand because someone has to do that, so they pay for the paper, ink, supplies to make copies and mailing stuff and time.

I went to Arundel Pediatrics (they had a meet and greet), Pediatric Center (Catonsville) and I am with Lancaster Pediatrics now. None of them charged for an interview when I went to them.

macsbxcrement

Peds charging to fill out forms I think is normal these days.  Everyone I know who has had to have camp or school forms,etc filled out has to pay a fee.  Last year when my daughter entered preschool we had 2 forms to be filled out and I want to say they charged me 15-20.00 to take care of it.  And of course, there is a wait so it isn't done in a matter of a few days---unless you are extremely lucky!  Our ped. encourages its patients to drop off the forms asap and not wait til peak season unless absolutely necessary

I have not heard of them charging for you to interview them.  Personally, I'd keep searching.

uggs1021

i'm not a regular on here... more of a lurker, but i saw your post and wanted to respond b/c i had the SAME reaction...

i'm 33 weeks and called a pediatrician a couple weeks ago for an interview... they told me they charge $50 up front, but they then submit it to your insurance. if your insurance covers it then, they credit your account to use for future visits (should you choose them as your doc)... if your insurance doesn't cover it then you are out of $50... hopefully, you like the doctor and its worth it.

i called my insurance and they cover all but a $10 copay so i figured its worth it.  i'm going to a dr referred to me by a very good friend so i feel fairly confident that i will like her, but i was still shocked!

hope that helps! good luck... btw... this was the maryland pediatric group.

anonsouthernbell

ITA that they shouldn't charge for an interview.  I agree with the pp that I would look elsewhere.  I mean the interview is their chance to try and get new business. 

moonfaerie

anonsouthernbell:

ITA that they shouldn't charge for an interview.  I agree with the pp that I would look elsewhere.  I mean the interview is their chance to try and get new business. 

this. Fees for filling out forms is normal, but fees for interviewing a pedi is not. We go to Pediatric Partners in Towson, and they did not charge for my consultation.  he other two pedis I interviewed didn't charge either.

I've only been to the Towson office and we see Dr. Minton there, who has been great so far, but they do have other locations if you want to check out their website for one that's close to you. https://www.pediatricpartnersmd.net/

cdc1982

we set up 7 interviews & 1 of them wanted to charge us a fee.  They were the closest location to us but we cancelled the appt because of the fee.  We both felt it was really stupid for them to charge considering that 6 others DIDN'T charge.

jcsntms06

I never paid for to interview any of the pedis. What area are you looking in? maybe some of the ladies on this board can help you out.

KathrynMD

I never really understood the point of "interviewing" doctors anyway when you are PG; I never interviewed my doctors before I started going to them.  You can find out most of the information re hours/vaccine schedule/philosophy from doctors websites and new patient information. 

photo_nut

KathrynMD:

I never really understood the point of "interviewing" doctors anyway when you are PG; I never interviewed my doctors before I started going to them.  You can find out most of the information re hours/vaccine schedule/philosophy from doctors websites and new patient information. 

I interviewed my midwifes. I interviewed my family doctor. I seek out second opinions for surgery. It's my money, I don't care if it's a $10 co-pay or not. I pay for the insurance that pays for them, I darn well am going to one I think is worth what I pay for. I want to know if we get along. If my doctor is going to be annoyed I ask questions - then I am not bothering to make a first appointment with them.

Most doctors don't put things like delayed vax on websites because they can't, even if they agree to it personally. They would lose their license. Vaccine schedules are the same everywhere because they are set by the CDC, but it doesn't mean a pediatrician agrees to it and would you not find that out until you talk to them. A lot of pediatrician have different views of breastfeeding, some some children must be weaned by 12 months, others believe in self weaning, still others support tandem feeding. My pediatrician does and that is not mentioned on her website anywhere.

Some pediatricians will report you if you have a homebirth, others don't care. Others support CIO, some are opposed to it. I have never seen that on any doctors website, and it's certainly not on my pediatricians website.

I also think you are assuming all pediatricians learn the same things. Example: I went to one pediatrician who told me that nursing my 3 year old would lead to brain damage - not psychological - but my dd was brain damaged because she was allergic to cow's milk and I needed to put her on special toddler formula. I went to another who said children up to age 3 can live off breastmilk alone, no food, and be healthy. Both graduated from John Hopkins and both worked for them, so why do they differ so much on views of breastfeeding and who was right? That is certainly something I would never find out on a website, and if I had any doubts about breastfeeding and it's benefits, I'd listen to #1. I listened to #2, and well, DD has shown no signs of brain damage.

KathrynMD

photo_nut:

KathrynMD:

I never really understood the point of "interviewing" doctors anyway when you are PG; I never interviewed my doctors before I started going to them.  You can find out most of the information re hours/vaccine schedule/philosophy from doctors websites and new patient information. 

I interviewed my midwifes. I interviewed my family doctor. I seek out second opinions for surgery. It's my money, I don't care if it's a $10 co-pay or not. I pay for the insurance that pays for them, I darn well am going to one I think is worth what I pay for. I want to know if we get along. If my doctor is going to be annoyed I ask questions - then I am not bothering to make a first appointment with them.

Most doctors don't put things like delayed vax on websites because they can't, even if they agree to it personally. They would lose their license. Vaccine schedules are the same everywhere because they are set by the CDC, but it doesn't mean a pediatrician agrees to it and would you not find that out until you talk to them. A lot of pediatrician have different views of breastfeeding, some some children must be weaned by 12 months, others believe in self weaning, still others support tandem feeding. My pediatrician does and that is not mentioned on her website anywhere.

Some pediatricians will report you if you have a homebirth, others don't care. Others support CIO, some are opposed to it. I have never seen that on any doctors website, and it's certainly not on my pediatricians website.

I also think you are assuming all pediatricians learn the same things. Example: I went to one pediatrician who told me that nursing my 3 year old would lead to brain damage - not psychological - but my dd was brain damaged because she was allergic to cow's milk and I needed to put her on special toddler formula. I went to another who said children up to age 3 can live off breastmilk alone, no food, and be healthy. Both graduated from John Hopkins and both worked for them, so why do they differ so much on views of breastfeeding and who was right? That is certainly something I would never find out on a website, and if I had any doubts about breastfeeding and it's benefits, I'd listen to #1. I listened to #2, and well, DD has shown no signs of brain damage.

I'm glad interviewing worked for you!