At MCP we strive to create an open, trusting, compassionate and respectful relationship with you and your child. As your child's pediatric primary care provider, we will get to know your child's health history, listen carefully to your concerns and treat your child with compassion. As our partnership develops, we will have a better understanding of your child's specific needs. This understanding will help us care for your child.
We recognize that daily life presents unique challenges for everyone. However, we kindly request that everyone treat our physicians and staff with the respect that we all deserve. Aggressive or abusive behavior towards our physicians and staff will not be tolerated, and may be grounds for dismissal from the practice.
We appreciate and thank you for your understanding.
Well Child/Preventative Care
We encourage you to make regular check ups for your child. We typically see patients within a few days of being discharged from the hospital after birth. We then see your child on an as needed basis until the 2 month check up and again at 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 months and then yearly after that. We view these visits as a great opportunity to see how your child is growing and developing. We will discuss issues that concern you about your child's well being, such as their social/psychological health, nutrition, exercise habits, discipline and environmental issues to name a few. We encourage you to ask questions.
We will be happy to complete any health forms for your child, such as athletic and school physical forms. Please allow 5-7 business days for your form to be completed and to be placed on your child's portal. If you would rather have us mail your health form, please provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope. When possible, we will do our best to complete the health form during your visit with the doctor. When picking up any medical records, health forms, doctor's letters or prescriptions you must present photo identification and sign that you have received the requested items.
As your child enters adolescence, there are some important changes in their care that we wish to make you aware of. Please read this letter, and contact us with any questions or concerns you may have regarding our adolescent care policies and procedures for your preteen and teen.
Sick Visits
We are available for sick visits 7 days a week. See our office hours for more details.
Weekends and After Hours Fee
We're open 7 days a week with extended weekday hours, and we have updated our charging policy to better serve you after hours.
We firmly believe that vaccinating children and young adults may be the single most important health-promoting intervention that we perform as healthcare providers and that you can provide as parents/caregivers. The recommended vaccines and the vaccine schedule are the results of years and years of scientific study and data gathering on millions of children by thousands of our brightest scientists and physicians.
Because we are committed to protecting the health of your child(ren) through vaccination, we require all of our patients to be vaccinated on time. If your child is behind on vaccines at their time of transfer to our practice, we will begin a catch-up schedule to ensure that your child is brought up to date regarding current vaccines for age. If you choose to separate vaccines during the catch-up phase, they are to be scheduled a minimum of 2 weeks apart until the child is up to date.
If you should refuse to completely vaccinate your child, we will ask you to find another healthcare provider who shares your views. Please recognize that by not vaccinating, you are putting your child at unnecessary risk for life-threatening illness and disability, and even death.
We are committed to providing the safest environment possible for families who do choose to seek care here, and fully support evidence- based medicine.
As medical professionals, we feel very strongly that vaccinating your child on schedule with currently available vaccines is absolutely the right thing to do to protect all children and young adults.
Telehealth Visits
Visit requirements:
- Visits need to be scheduled with our front desk.
- We provide visits for acute illnesses or chronic conditions for which we feel it is safe to provide care using virtual technology. These include Colds, Pink Eye, Rashes, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Constipation, Minor Injuries, Breastfeeding Concerns, ADD/ADHD, Behavioral Issues, Anxiety, Depression.
Ask your insurance if your plan covers virtual visits. If the visit is not a covered benefit by your insurance, then the visit charge will be passed onto you for payment. With the COVID-19 Pandemic most insurance companies have covered these visits so that you have a safe way to receive care.
Calls During Office Hours
We encourage you to call the office with your questions. Our billing department is available from 8:30 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. For medical questions, call us from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, and 8:30 am to Noon (office may close early) Saturdays and Sundays (Bingham Farms location only). You can talk to a nurse or you may leave a message for your primary care doctor. When you leave a message during office hours, we will do our best to get back with you as quickly as possible.
After Office Hours Calls
If your child becomes ill after hours, and you cannot wait until the next business day, please call our answering service at (248) 691-8614, and the doctor on call will contact you as soon as possible. While you are waiting for the doctor to return your call, please deactivate any call-blocking features on your phone. For privacy purposes, our doctors block their numbers.
Telephone Calls: Beginning April 24, 2020, we will be charging your insurance for doctor calls exceeding 5 minutes per day or nurse-only calls exceeding 15 minutes. Brief calls taking less than these thresholds will remain complimentary. Whether you have a cost share is determined by your insurance plan and policy. If you have questions about our policy, please contact our office at [email protected].
Prescriptions
Refills must be requested through your patient portal. To make a request within the portal:
- Go to https://login.intelichart.com/medicalcenterpediatrics
- Choose child in upper right corner
- Click on “Request a refill”
If you need assistance with accessing your portal, please contact the office.
Breastfeeding Services
Our physicians, along with our lactation consultants: Rhonda Yono-Atisha M.D., Wendy Szymcak, M.D., Kristin Brown, D.O., and Jenny Davis, RN will work with you to address any breastfeeding concerns. We are experienced and uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat mothers and their babies for a variety of nursing challenges (milk supply, engorgement, latching issues, etc.).
MCP On-Site Testing
- Vision screens — SPOT vision photo screening
- Hearing tests — OAE, Pure Tone Audiometry and Tympanometry
In house labs. Our lab is equipped to perform:
- Complete blood counts
- Lead and cholesterol levels
- Testing for strep throat
- Mononucleosis
- Influenza and RSV
- Urinalysis
- Rapid Covid-19 PCR testing
We have partnered with William Beaumont Hospital, DMC, and Health Track to provide more comprehensive testing. For off-site testing, specimen collection is performed at our office, picked up by the labs and we receive results within 24-72 hours. This minimizes the need to go to a testing center or hospital laboratory.
Financial Policy
Our main focus is to provide excellent medical care to our patients. In order to do this, we must receive prompt payment. A financial policy has been developed for the following reasons:
1. To meet financial obligations of the practice
2. To follow terms set forth in insurance contracts
3. To help families understand their financial responsibilities for the services provided by us
Insurance Claims: Medical Center Pediatrics will file claims with the insurance information that you provide. We accept most insurance plans; however, always check with your carrier to ensure that we participate. It is your responsibility to notify our office if there are insurance changes. If you fail to share insurance information that results in a claim rejection, you will be responsible. It is your responsibility to know your individual coverage.
MCP RETURNED CHECKS: All returned checks are assessed a $25 service fee, which is not billable to your insurance.
RESPONSIBLE PARTY: The parent/guardian who accompanies the child to the appointment is responsible for the payment that day. There will be a $5 statement fee if the responsible party fails to pay their copay or bill on the day of service. In cases of separation or divorce, both parents are responsible for any balances.
Newborns: We realize that it may take some time for newborns to be added to an insurance policy. However, it is very important that you provide the insurance company with the information that they request in a timely manner. Failure to do so may result in delays of coverage and greater financial costs to you.
Copayments: Copayments are expected to be paid at the time of service.
Account Balances: If you have a deductible, coinsurance, or non-covered service, you will receive a bill in the mail. Payment within 30 days is appreciated. After 60 days, your account will be assessed a $25 fee for non-payment. After 90 days, we reserve the right to postpone treatment and also to dismiss your child from the practice for non-payment. We accept cash, personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Debit Cards and Health Savings Account Cards. If your bill is sent to collections, you will be responsible for all charges incurred in this process. If there are financial hardships, we are happy to discuss payment plans.
Uninsured Patients: We are happy to work with families that do not have insurance. Please request further information on our self-pay discounts.
No-Show Policy: We strive to have available appointments to meet the needs of all of our patients. In order for us to provide complete care for your child, it is very important that every appointment is kept. Missed appointments negatively impact our ability to care for your child and others. A no-show appointment is classified as one where the appointment is canceled with less than 24 hours notice. A $50 no-show fee will be charged to your account with any missed appointment. If you have 3 no-show appointments, you will be dismissed from the practice.
Medical Records: Should you require a copy of your child’s medical record, you may obtain it from the patient portal at no charge to you. Requests for MCP to copy records will be assessed a $25 fee.
You will be required to complete a medical record release form (available on our website). Please contact the Practice Manager for special requests. Once payment for records is received, please allow 15-30 days to complete.
See the 21st Century Cures Act Policy (MCP Information Sharing Policy)