Dear Patients and Families:

 
Cedar Park Pediatric and Family Medicine is committed to providing our patients and families access to quality medical care every day and every hour of the day.  Telephone care is just one way that we meet this commitment.  By having one of our physicians on call 24/7, it ensures that unnecessary trips to the emergency room department for urgent care can be avoided thus saving you time and money.

 
Telephone care includes physician management or consultation related to immediate medical needs, adjustment of medications, treatment of chronic illness or assistance with normal growth, development and behavioral concerns.

 
Telephone care still involves physician time, expertise and documentation of the medical care delivered and therefore is recognized as patient care. Due to increase call volume and overhead costs we will be charging an after hours telephone fee for this service.  Please contact your insurance carrier to ensure that this type of service is a covered benefit under your plan The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Family Practice (AAFP) supports charging for telephone care under appropriate circumstances and we will begin to do so.

 
As of January 1, 2008 we will bill your health plan in the amount of $15.00 for specific types of phone calls between you and a physician after hours.  You may be responsible for all or part of this fee depending on your individual health plan coverage.  We will submit a charge for the following types of telephone calls:

• Physician management of a new problem including counseling, medical management, and coordination of care not resulting in an office visit within 24 hours from a telephone call or the next business day. 
• Physician management about existing problem for which the patient was not seen in a face to face encounter in the previous 3 days from the telephone call.
• Care plan oversight for patients with special needs in residential settings and/or those with a chronic disease who require physician supervision over a period of time during a calendar month.

 
You always have the option to make an office appointment rather than receiving telephone care.

Some of the most common calls that we receive concern fevers and stomach illnesses such as diarrhea.  Please refer to the "Illness" link under the Pediatrics section on our website to learn more about treatment for these common concerns.

We look forward to continuing our relationship with you and your family, both in person and on the telephone.  We expect the provision of telephone care will increase your accessibility to quality medical care.

Sincerely,

The Staff at Cedar Park Pediatrics & Family Medicine

Illness: Vomiting & Diarrhea-When To Call Your Provider

Illness: Fever-When To Call Your Provider

Illness:  Pediatric Drug Dosages