Pediatrician - Question about rescheduling an appointment

[Hillbeans]

I had to cancel my son's 18 month visit this upcoming Wednesday due to a work commitment. I had called Monday, April 9th at 9:00 am to cancel for Wednesday afternoon. The next available appointment they gave me was June 27th.

I am now going to be close to 3 months past his official 18 month mark and i'm ok with that I guess, but i'm worried the Doctor will tell me that i'm not keeping up with his appointments, etc. Is rescheduling an appointment 11 weeks later common practice in Ped's offices and would it be wrong of me to mention this at my visit if they question why I missed getting his shots on the due date?

I rarely if ever cancel appointments, and on the rare occasion I have, I usually give 48 hours or more notice. I generally do like my pediatrician's office but waiting 11 weeks for a rescheduled appointment seems a little long to me. Thoughts?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I would find a new Ped. That is ridiculous that it takes 11 weeks to reschedule.

 

[Hillbeans]

I should also mention that they were going to see my 6 year old at the same visit for his annual physical however I didn't need to schedule more time when the appointment was made because they had told me to bring them at the same time. Mabye that's why? I'm not as worried about his appt because he can get his physical anytime before the school year, but it's the baby i'm more concerned about with the shots and all.

 

[snowy76]

Did you mention specifically that it was his 18-month appointment? I had to reschedule my DS's 12-month recently, but it was only when the receptionist asked how old the child was that she moved his appointment to only a few days past the original appointment - otherwise we were looking at the end of next month! With an older child, a couple of months doesn't make much difference - but for an infant or toddler it should. I would call back and just let them know that with him being only 18 months old, you want to make sure his immunization schedule is kept up. They see so many kids that maybe it didn't click with the person you spoke to.

 

[Hillbeans]

That's a good idea Snowy - maybe I can take my older son on June 27th and try and reschedule the baby for an earlier appt? I'll call them.

 

[Tigger&Aidan]

Yeah, I'd definitely call back. Maybe they didn't realize that he was that young? That seems like a really long time before they can fit you in. Honestly, if it takes that long for an opening, i'd find someone new. My ped gets my son in that day when he's sick and is always able to reschedule within a week.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Neither I nor our doc would have been greatly concerned to be late for a well-baby check. Of course, if you have an issue you need checked, I would try to get in sooner.

 

[Nanisashi]

Same deal with my daughters ped. If I call now I will get an appt. at a minimum 2 months away. The key is to bypass the receptionist/appt setter and ask to speak to the dr's nurse. Explain your situation to the nurse and they will usually fit you in. Good luck!

 

[macmahony]

I would not worry, if you call back and you can't get one closer don't worry. They are going to weigh him, check how tall he is, and ask if you have any questions, and then do shots. No biggie if the shots are delayed a few weeks. That is not something I would switch peds for, espically if you love the doc. We drive 30 minutes to see our ped, and have tried to swtich, but can not find someone close that I even begin to like. (we used to live down the street from him)
as long as you don't have any concerns about your son, then I would think it was not a biggie to wait

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

Whle I don't feel it would hurt anything to wait until June, for it to take that long to get him in seems crazy. Just in case I would call back, and check with the nurse to make sure that they are ok with giving him his shots a little late. Most of the time the secretary doesn't usually know much about why someone is being seen, I know that with our doctor if I need them seen I go to the nurse. In addition I would also strongly agree with the above posters who stated if you feel there is a problem, get him in sooner.

 

[princesspwrhr]

If they're scheduling both of your children then they are looking for a time when that doctor has the availability to see two patients, that could cause the delay.

Also they take into consideration the doctors possible vacations, days off etc, so it's possible that something like that occurs between now and then.

The immunizations are generally on a 'between this age and that age' schedule, so it's flexible for scheduling and I don't think you should be overly worried. I've had a couple of late ones myself, especially when we were unemployed/uninsured and couldn't afford it.

You can try and schedule them for different days, or if it's a practice and you're willing to see a different ped that's another option that may get you in quicker. When we first moved here I couldn't get my oldest in with the dr I picked and loved for my younger two, so I accepted seeing a different ped (nervously!), she ended up great and now there are 2 peds at that office that I like and can schedule with for any of my 3 girls.

Another option is if you are pretty flexible with your dates/times. I know this makes life easier at our dentist when I can say, any M,W,F at any time, Thurs before 2 and no Tues. Sometimes there's still a conflict, but when they have a range to look for, it seems easier.

Now, rescheduling the GYN? ugh! I've had to reschedule that routine visit twice msyelf due to an unpredictable schedule and then the day before my apt the office called to reschedule! The first time it was 6 weeks away, the second 3, and when they rescheduled it was going to be almost 3 months until I said I'd see an NP since it was routine, then I was able to get in in a week.

 

[Hillbeans]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. DH and I talked about it tonight and because that day and time works ok for my schedule, i'm going to keep the appointment. I am however going to call tomorrow and find out if it's common practice to have an 11 week wait for rescheduled appointments and I will most likely speak with the doctor about it during the visit.

There can't be that many sick visits scheduled out over the next 11 weeks, but they may have time blocked out for them which I completely understand. I know there are 3 if not 4 doctors in the practice now and one has evening hours as well, so there should be a time sooner than I was offered for 2 well check up visits.

If after this discussion I feel satisfied with the answers, i'll stay with the practice. If not i'll start looking for a new office. I really don't know the doctors all that well because I only go maybe 2-3 times a year and I usually rotate between doctors. I know my OB/GYN like a member of my family, but for some reason or another that's never happened with my Ped. I remember growing up my Ped knew us really well, probably because I was sick a lot.

 

[nextidiot]

Be very careful about scheduling "check-ups" as many insurance companies require they coincide closely to the 18 month, 1 year, 2 year, etc. date of birth. This is especially important when you get to the 2 year, 3 year, etc. as you sometimes can not have more than one check-up within a 12 month period.

I got socked for a denial of coverage from Aetna for this nonsense. Cost me $130 DISNEY DOLLARS!

 

[Starr W.]

We all go to a family practice and after hearing about the local ped practice I am glad I take the kids where I do.

To schedule, you always talk to one of the Dr's nurses, if they were sick I never had to wait a day, usually can you be here in 45 minutes-2hrs?time frame. Plus unless our doctor was off that day or on vacation, we saw him not another doctor that wasn't familiar with us.

 

[gris gris]

Be very careful about scheduling "check-ups" as many insurance companies require they coincide closely to the 18 month, 1 year, 2 year, etc. date of birth. This is especially important when you get to the 2 year, 3 year, etc. as you sometimes can not have more than one check-up within a 12 month period.

I got socked for a denial of coverage from Aetna for this nonsense. Cost me $130 DISNEY DOLLARS!

This is how our insurance works as well, so if I had to reschedule the 18 month appointment by 3 months, all other well baby checks would be 3 months off.

 

[jessica52877]

If his 18 month check up is off though then the rest of his need to be so it is adequate time between shots. That was my understanding from our ped. I don't see it as a big deal, call back and mention his age though in case there is something that cannot wait.

Our doctor is usually booked out 2 months. Yes, there are sick time slots open, but for sick kids, not check ups. I wouldn't switch ped over it either, unless you just want a new one.