Many circumstances can lead you to decide to find a new pediatrician. Whether you are expecting a child, your current pediatrician is retiring, you are moving to a new community, or you simply want a change for your family, finding a new provider can be a challenge.
Rochester Regional Health has a robust group of pediatric providers at locations across the greater Rochester region. LeKeyah N. Wilson, MD, a pediatrician with RRH, has suggestions on where to begin.
Where do I start looking?
If you are expecting your first child, a good place to start would be asking your OBGYN for a recommendation. Suggestions from friends and family are another great option.
“When looking for a new pediatrician, many consider which pediatricians are accepting new patients, the location of the practice, office hours including available evening or weekend hours, diversity and cultural/religious sensitivities, special medical interests or specialized services offered by the pediatrician or the practice,” Dr. Wilson said. These factors help determine if a pediatrician or the pediatric practice is a good fit for your family.”
There are many pediatric providers affiliated with Rochester Regional Health in communities across the Rochester area. To find a doctor, use our simple search tool and locate a practice close to you.
What questions should I ask a pediatrician?
Asking the right questions can give you good insights into how a provider and their practice will care for your child. Some include:
- How are after-hours emergencies handled?
- When your child’s provider is out of the office, who will handle their patients?
- How long has the provider been in practice? If they were at another practice before, why did they leave?
- How can you get in contact with your provider with questions?
- Are their licenses and board certifications up to date?
- Does the provider allow for an introductory visit?
“Selecting a new pediatrician can be daunting but rewarding,” Dr. Wilson said. “Pediatricians have the privilege of caring for your family and watching them grow into youth adults. This partnership and the love of children and adolescents is our passion.”
Is it common for a wait list?
Most practices have a cap on the number of patients they can see. The number ranges depending on the size of the staff.
Ask if someone from the office can call you about an opening if another patient leaves the practice. Some practices may put you on a standby list, while others will only tell you ‘yes’ or ‘no’ at the time of your call.
Is there a database to look for possible issues with a provider?
If a licensed physician has received any form of formal discipline, it would be recorded in the database maintained by the New York State Department of Health’s Professional Misconduct and Physician Discipline Office.
The searchable database is available to the public online at no cost.
What about insurance or copay costs?
Checking to make sure your insurance covers your child’s visits is very important. If there is an issue with being able to cover the full cost of your child’s visit, ask your provider about any financial assistance they may offer.
If a provider is part of a larger network such as Rochester Regional Health, they will likely offer different options for payment such as installments or a financial assistance program.
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