Policies

We work hard to not overuse antibiotics.

We educate families on appropriate use of antibiotics, but follow evidence-based guidelines and don’t automatically treat ear pain or a green snotty nose with antibiotics.

We do not routinely prescribe antibiotics over the phone as we do not believe that is good medicine. We will prescribe an antibiotic when we believe it is an appropriate treatment, and when it is associated with an in-office visit.

Everyone's Time is Equally Valuable.

We ask that you arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. We understand sometimes things happen beyond your control that may cause you to be late. However, we reserve the right to ask you to reschedule if you arrive late for your appointment.

Our practice makes every effort to run on time with appointments, as we believe everyone’s time is equally valuable.

Upcoming Appointments will be confirmed Via Phone/Text Message/Email

Missed Appointments: Broken appointments represent a cost to us, to you, and to other patients who could have been seen in the time set aside for you. We reserve the right to charge a fee for canceled or missed appointments. We request 24 hours notice for cancellation of appointments.

For new patients, a fee may be charged if the FIRST appointment is missed.

It is important that you understand our financial policy prior to establishing your child(ren) as patient(s). If you have any questions regarding this policy, please call our office and ask one of our receptionists.

Thank you for choosing our office to provide care for your child(ren). In order to prevent any misunderstandings and to serve you better, we ask that all parents read and sign our Financial Policy. If you have any questions, please ask a receptionist or a representative from our business office.

Please review our entire financial policy using the link below.

PLEASE NOTE: If your child has a scheduled routine well visit but also requires evaluation or testing for additional health issues, or if a problem is identified and addressed during the same appointment, we are required to bill your insurance for both the well visit and the evaluation of services that fall outside the scope of a routine wellness visit.

Your copay, deductible, or co-insurance will be due at the time of check out.

Divorced/Separated Parents and Custodial Arrangements: Great Kids Pediatrics does not get involved in disputes between divorced, separated, or custodial parenting arrangements regarding a child's medical care or the parent fiscal responsibility for said care. 

Our providers will offer the medical care they feel is best for your child.

Whichever parent brings a child to an appointment will be required to pay services due at the time of the visit. If there is an invoice to be mailed, it will be mailed to the guarantor on file. We will be happy to provide receipts for medical bills paid, as requested.

If you have a court order stating a parent does not have the right to a child's records, or to make medical decisions about a child, our office will need to have that order on file as soon as it is available. Please contact our front desk for the appropriate email address to send the order to.

The patients must cancel or reschedule appointments at least 24 hours in advance. Failure to do this, even for same-day appointments, will result in a No Show fee (currently $30) per occasion per child to be added to the family account. 

Payment of the No Show fee is required prior to scheduling another appointment, and continued instances of not coming to scheduled appointments may result in the office requiring that I find another doctor or payment of the full cost of the office visit to be paid in lieu of the No Show fee. 

Appointments can be canceled by leaving a message in the voicemail system or with the answering service if the office is closed.

1)  Refills are generally available for medications used for ongoing conditions, such as allergies, ADD/ADHD, and asthma.  Refills are not available for antibiotics, conditions for which the child has not been evaluated by a physician in the last 3 - 6 months, or new prescriptions the child has never taken before. 

2)  Refill requests for non-emergency medications will be handled within 48 - 72 hours.  Please do not wait until your supply is completely depleted before requesting the refill.  For emergency refill requests, please call the office at 713-932-6261. Please give us your pharmacy telephone number.

3)  Refills for ADD/ADHD medications require re-check appointments with a physician every 3 months. One of these visits can be the child’s annual check up.

This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.

Efficiency through the use of technology

You will be encouraged to consult our website, register for and use our patient portal, and effectively use automated reminders for appointments and for routine care/immunizations that are due.

As healthcare providers, we follow the immunization guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which reflect the most current scientific evidence and expert consensus. 

We believe that vaccinating children and young adults on schedule with the recommended vaccines is an important step in safeguarding their health. We’re sharing this information to help you make informed decisions and to support the well-being of your family. 

Please visit our Immunization page for the currect recommended schedule for our patients.