Q about getting pediatrician

soontobe05 · June 2009

So....do I just call and say "Hey, I'm having a baby soon, will your doctor be available for new patients?" I'm really confused on how I set something up for someone who isn't even here yet....and the insurance isn't set up yet obviously 'cause I can't add her til after she's here to my DH's stuff.....I guess the whole concept is just odd to me even though I understand that I need to do it and have one by the time she gets here. Can someone kinda clear it up for me on what they did? TIA!

GRKaters · June 2009

I got recommendations from family and friends. Then called the most-recommended practice and said I was having a baby in June; were any of their docs accepting new patients? Yes--ok, do any of them have rights at XX hospital? Great--call when the baby is born and he'll come check him out? Got it.

The end.

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Soon2BMrsN · June 2009

I said pretty much what you said in your post. The receptionist told me to call back after he's born and we'll set up an appointment... she was really nonchalant about the whole thing, actually.

michaln · June 2009

I would suggest calling a few ped's and just ask if they are taking new patients. My daughter's ped requires me to go in before baby is born to "set up" a file. I am also confused as I have NO information to give her, but I'm assuming she then gets paid for this visit. When my daughter was born, the doctor required a referral from our family doctor. You could also ask your hospital what they recommend? They can often refer you to doctors taking new patients. Good Luck

Reagan's Mommy · June 2009

When we set it up for DD, we just had to pick a doc that was accepting new patients, then on the hospital paperwork (I can't remember if it was the pre-registration or when we actually got there), we just put down the name of the pedi.

The pedi we picked had rights at our hospital, so the hospital actually notified them when she was born and they saw her the next day while we were still there.

oct-wedding · June 2009

I took recommendations from friends and my OB and looked at what was closest to home, work and daycare and that was open weekend (Sat & Sun). I called the practice and asked if they were accepting new patients and set up a quick interview/meeting with the pediatrician I selected. I asked her Qs about what to expect, vaccinations, etc.

Then when I registered at the hosptial for delivery I told them who the pediatric practice I selected was and after DS was born the doctor on call from that office saw DS.

Another unforseen bonus, a pharmacy in the same building. Makes filling DS prescriptions easy.

mandolynn81 · June 2009

We decided to go with dh's really great doctor because we are comfortable with him and he was the only one that found dh's heart condition. So good chance baby will have the same thing we are comfortable doc will be good.?

We went in for dh's yearly check up and told doc we would like him to be the baby's. He was very happy to. Told us when we get to the hospital they will ask for the baby's doctor and we give the name. They call him and let him know baby is coming, and then call him again after the baby is born. He will come to do the first check up at the hospital the day the baby is born.?

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katyhammack · June 2009

In addition to all of the above comments. When I inquired as to if they were accepting new patients they told me no. I asked if it made a difference in that I wasn't due until Sept. When they realized it was a newborn they asked my insurance info and what hospital I was delivering at, and that must have met their requirements because then she just told me to tell the hospital that their practice would be my pediatrician. I wasn't too thrilled with the nonchalant attidute but it was the most recommended to me by co-workers, friends and my OB.

jbl126 · June 2009

I felt weird at first calling. But I just told them I was expecting and had a list of questions. Then we met with one of them already to check out the office. I was told, I just need to let the hospital know which practice I chose and they will contact the doctor once they are born. The doctor will then visit the baby when it is born in the hospital and come see you then. And then you can set up your appt with your LO. It wasn't too bad.

DarcyLongfellow · June 2009

I also thought the whole process seemed odd, but then once I called and talked to the pediatricians' offices, I realized that it isn't odd to them at all -- they get calls like this all the time! The larger practices in my area even have set open houses where you go and meet with the doctors.

Just call and say you're having a baby and you were interested in possibly using that doctor. They'll set up some sort of appointment where you can meet the doctor. It's probably best to ask on the phone if they take your insurance -- since otherwise you probably wouldn't want to go to them.

DarcyLongfellow · June 2009

Two more things:

Some practices don't accept new patients who are older, but they WILL accept newborns. Make sure you specify that you are currently pregnant with the child when you ask if they are taking new patients.

I had two issues that were important to me, so I asked about those when I called. Based on the responses I got, I was able to determine the office policy on these two things, and I weeded out some practices this way. (My two issues were breastfeeding support and spreading out vaccines.)

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