Well check ups at the pediatricians office?

[DebD4T]

Why would you assume every state mandates yearly physicals? In Illinois they are required for kindy, 5th grade and 9th grade.

A one page form may be required for the parent to fill out regarding general health and any medications, but doctors visits are not required.

Oops, I need to remember what happens when you assume!!

The norm for myself and anyone else I know is to take your child for a yearly physical. I had no idea that it is done differently in other states. Sorry for the ignorance.

 

[aprilgail2]

The norm for myself and anyone else I know is to take your child for a yearly physical. I had no idea that it is done differently in other states. Sorry for the ignorance.

I don't think they have to have annual ones here either- just certain grades BUT summer camp needs a yearly physical form filled out every single year so even if we don't have to go for school we have to go if she wants to go to camp. I know they require a yearly dental visit form filled out for school though...

 

[DebD4T]

I don't think they have to have annual ones here either- just certain grades BUT summer camp needs a yearly physical form filled out every single year so even if we don't have to go for school we have to go if she wants to go to camp. I know they require a yearly dental visit form filled out for school though...

I know what you mean about camp.

My insurance covers one well check up every 12 months, so whether the board of ed requires a yearly update of my kids health record or not, they get one anyway!LOL!

I did not know that dental visits were mandatory for school. I have never received any form for that.

 

[golfgal]

Our state requires a physical every 3 years if you are in sports, other than that, there is no requirement for a physical, just your normal shots. Our kids were at the dr last for a physical 3 years ago so they will all need them this summer. Last time they went DH took them and I don't think he went in at all because he didn't get any of the questions I had written out for him about the kids' asthma answered . I am sure this time I will go in for the preliminary stuff but then leave after that.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

My kids are 21, 19 and 17, and always went every year for well visits until 18. I thought that was the norm too. Our insurance covers it...our co-pay is up to $15 now. All my kids played school sports for at least some period of time, and they need a checkup before each year they played for that anyway.

My girls (the two oldest) had a female pediatrician from the time they were 10 and 8, as did DS for one year. It was just a situation where we switched Dr groups, and ended up with a female. It was at that first appt that we met up with their original male pediatrician and I switched DS to him. So until the girls were 18, they had a female.

With all the kids, at whatever age the doctor asked me to leave during the exam, I did. Don't remember how old, but if I ever felt they might not want me there, I'd ask them myself. DS (17) has an appt next week, and I'll go in with him to touch base and then leave for the exam. I adore this doctor...he's THE BEST...hate to see the end of an era!

As far as dental exams, we have to sign a card every year saying we do or don't want our child's teeth examined at school or if we'll see a dentist on our own (don't remember the wording or requirement exactly).

 

[mjkacmom]

Seeing as you all pay for these doctor visits doesn't that get expensive?? If your new health care reform comes in, is this all going to be paid for?? Is it really necessary for healthy children? Seems somewhat wasteful really. I am really surprised!! I'm all for prevention, but sometimes I think it can be overdone.

Most people here DO have health insurance - I pay nothing OOP for well checks. They check hearing, eye exam, scolliosis (sp), moles and freckles - pretty much everything, and ask if you have any concerns. I've had many issues brought to the table during these visits, that I wouldn't call the doctor on, but bring up since I'm there, and they've been legitimate concerns (ds ended up having his adnoids out, dd needed eye surgery, ds got medicated for ADHD...). They get bloodwork every 2 years.

 

[KerriMc]

Most people here DO have health insurance - I pay nothing OOP for well checks. They check hearing, eye exam, scolliosis (sp), moles and freckles - pretty much everything, and ask if you have any concerns. I've had many issues brought to the table during these visits, that I wouldn't call the doctor on, but bring up since I'm there, and they've been legitimate concerns (ds ended up having his adnoids out, dd needed eye surgery, ds got medicated for ADHD...). They get bloodwork every 2 years.

I know there are many people who have health insurance ... we may not "pay" for our health insurance but we sure as heck pay for health care in our taxes ... we are taxed to death in this country!

I am just surprised at how common paediatrician visits are. Here they are considered specialists and only seen for such situations, not just a check up or needle. They are paid more, so using them must cost more to insurance providers, etc which means higher rates for everyone. As for eye exams we only go to an optomotrist for that. Only children under 16 are allocated eye exams once a year under our health care system. Once you are over that age you are not covered for that anymore and must pay for your own eye examination - this just changed a couple of years ago.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

This:

Most people here DO have health insurance - I pay nothing OOP for well checks. They check hearing, eye exam, scolliosis (sp), moles and freckles - pretty much everything, and ask if you have any concerns. I've had many issues brought to the table during these visits, that I wouldn't call the doctor on, but bring up since I'm there, and they've been legitimate concerns (ds ended up having his adnoids out, dd needed eye surgery, ds got medicated for ADHD...). They get bloodwork every 2 years.

Not sure how often my kids had bloodwork done.

I am just surprised at how common paediatrician visits are. Here they are considered specialists and only seen for such situations, not just a check up or needle. They are paid more, so using them must cost more to insurance providers, etc which means higher rates for everyone. As for eye exams we only go to an optomotrist for that. Only children under 16 are allocated eye exams once a year under our health care system. Once you are over that age you are not covered for that anymore and must pay for your own eye examination - this just changed a couple of years ago.

Why are pediatricians paid more than a family doctor, and how do you know that? Just wondering how the health care system works there.

As far as eye exams...are you talking about routine eye exams, or if someone over 16 develops eye problems?

 

[NHdisneylover]

I know there are many people who have health insurance ... we may not "pay" for our health insurance but we sure as heck pay for health care in our taxes ... we are taxed to death in this country!

I am just surprised at how common paediatrician visits are. Here they are considered specialists and only seen for such situations, not just a check up or needle. They are paid more, so using them must cost more to insurance providers, etc which means higher rates for everyone. As for eye exams we only go to an optomotrist for that. Only children under 16 are allocated eye exams once a year under our health care system. Once you are over that age you are not covered for that anymore and must pay for your own eye examination - this just changed a couple of years ago.

I think that is where the main confusion lies. In the US, pediatricians do have some extra training about children--but they are not considered specialists so much as regular doctors who treat children. In fact, for anything out of the ordinary a Pediatrician will refer a patient to a specialist. I always checked my EOB (Exlpanation of Benefits which you get with US insurance) and family doctors, internists and pediatricians (all likely to be someone's "regular" doctor) all seem to charge pretty much the same in the same area.
It can be hard to compare when the systems are so different.
Germany also has a different system. I prefer a family doctor to treat all of us, but I could not find (at least locally) anyone who sees adults who would also see children for routine stuff. It just doesn't seem to be the way it is done.

 

[PatsGirl]

Seeing as you all pay for these doctor visits doesn't that get expensive?? If your new health care reform comes in, is this all going to be paid for?? Is it really necessary for healthy children? Seems somewhat wasteful really. I am really surprised!! I'm all for prevention, but sometimes I think it can be overdone.

Yes, medical care is very expensive, it's just that when people pay weekly through their employer and then just hand a card over at the doctors there is little thought to cost. You can see from different replies here that some answer "it's only $15 or $25 to go to the doctor", but it's not really

Because I grew up without insurance and then lived for many, many years without it, I never "learned" to seek medical advice for "just in case" scenarios. It is common practice here in the my part of the country for yearly physicals by specialist (pediatricians), urgent care visits for fussy, nose-running babies and children, and a myriad of extremely expensive tests ordered for ailments that are not easily diagnosed.

To answer the OPs question, I think by 13 most kids would prefer privacy but I would ask. DS started seeing his doctor alone by about age 10 but I met with him as well to ask about his asthma and to "prod" the doctor into talking to him about wearing his bike helmet and, cigarette smoking, etc.

In MA I believe you MUST have doctor exams before school starts, in 4th grade and in 7th grade. Of course, if you play sports a "sports physical" is required every year and depending on the summer camp, you may need a physical every year or two. The only time my kids saw a doctor after the first few months of birth was when it was absolutely necessary or required. My general practicioner alerted me early to the abuse of antibiotics and cough medicines, and we really practice the less the better methods of medicating!

 

[mjkacmom]

It is common practice here in the my part of the country for yearly physicals by specialist (pediatricians), urgent care visits for fussy, nose-running babies and children, and a myriad of extremely expensive tests ordered for ailments that are not easily diagnosed.
!

While I agree that many people abuse the system by bringing kids to the doctor for a runny nose, I make sure my kids get examined once a year. My kids rarely get sick, and I only bring them in if I suspect strep (and have been guilty of waiting a week), ear infection (I always give it time, since 89% are viral), or an illness that needs medical attention. Therefore, without the well visit, most of my kids would go many years without seeing a doctor (my pediatrician gave me extra prescriptions for oral steroids for my twins' asthma, just in case). I tend to be an optomist with regards to my children's health (my dd7 was just diagnosed with lactose intolerance and celiac - after dealing with some issues for years, I asked the pediatrician to add the celiac panel to her bloodwork). I never would've brought her to the doctor if not for the annual visit.

For the PP in another country, pediatricians are paid much less than specialists - they're the standard doctor for children (I just got a bill for a well visit that my insurance refused to pay because it was coded wrong - $100).

 

[dispor]

To the PP who asked about sports physicals... My kids play CYO sports and they are required to have a sports physical every year. We'll actually see ads in the newspapers for places that will give the sports physicals. I think even the well-clinics inside drugs stores offer them (if they are staffed by a nurse practitioner). Trying to get a sports physical scheduled with the ped. once summer hits can be really hard!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Yes, medical care is very expensive, it's just that when people pay weekly through their employer and then just hand a card over at the doctors there is little thought to cost. You can see from different replies here that some answer "it's only $15 or $25 to go to the doctor", but it's not really

I get it that we pay for our health insurance through DH's job. I understand that it's not JUST $15 to get medical care. But because we have medical insurance and it covers an annual well visit and my kids needed it for sports (and one DD had/has a chronic illness), we do well visits every year rather than every other year, and that "extra" visit only costs us an additional $15. DS has his well visit next week and besides the fact that he needs it for HS sports, there are a few things that I'd like to touch base on. He also has an appt with a travel clinic, not covered by insurance...$100.

We're very grateful (despite the cost) we have the insurance coverage that we have and pay more for a plan that allows us to go out of network. DD saw a local specialist for her illness, and when he moved, the insurance company at first wasn't going to let us go to a specialist in Boston, since others in the same field were local. But with an explanation, thank goodness they did, because he had a whole different, healthier approach to an illness many doctors are unfamiliar with. I'd hate to think where she'd be now if our insurance or other health care system dictated which doctor she saw.

I hope that's clearer for anyone who misunderstood my post about it costing $15 for a well visit.

 

[aprilgail2]

Yes, medical care is very expensive, it's just that when people pay weekly through their employer and then just hand a card over at the doctors there is little thought to cost. You can see from different replies here that some answer "it's only $15 or $25 to go to the doctor", but it's not really

!

I don't pay anything for insurance- my employer covers it all - health, dental, optical and life. We have a 20.00 copayment but even when hit with double co-payments I don't think 40.00 is a lot to pay to see a Dr.
There is talk about next contract having to pay 5.00 a week towards health insurance but right now we don't pay anything.

 

[Aisling]

My kids always have yearly physicals. In fact, we get a reminder in the mail when it gets close to that time. They don't get bloodwork per se, but they routinely do get the "finger stick" every time to test hemoglobin. (the doctor says a lot of info can come from this simple test, to see if a full CBC is in order; thankfully we never had to have any other blood tests for them).

I only have sons, and I stopped going into the room with them when they were about 13. The doctor didn't care either way, since the private part exam was shielded from my view. But by that age I wanted them to be able to speak freely to the doctor without me hearing. They might have questions that they didn't feel comfortable talking about with me there.

I always tell my kids to be totally honest with their doctor and their priest, otherwise they can't get the help/advice they may need!

My sons don't know this, but the doctor always gave me access to their records to see of there was anything I needed to be aware of, like possible sexual activity or drug use. If there was something I needed to discuss with them judging from their records, I'd wait a while and bring it up in a more conversational way so they wouldn't know I saw what they spoke to the doctor about.

 

[FasttimesNY]

I get it that we pay for our health insurance through DH's job. I understand that it's not JUST $15 to get medical care. But because we have medical insurance and it covers an annual well visit and my kids needed it for sports (and one DD had/has a chronic illness), we do well visits every year rather than every other year, and that "extra" visit only costs us an additional $15. DS has his well visit next week and besides the fact that he needs it for HS sports, there are a few things that I'd like to touch base on. He also has an appt with a travel clinic, not covered by insurance...$100.

We're very grateful (despite the cost) we have the insurance coverage that we have and pay more for a plan that allows us to go out of network. DD saw a local specialist for her illness, and when he moved, the insurance company at first wasn't going to let us go to a specialist in Boston, since others in the same field were local. But with an explanation, thank goodness they did, because he had a whole different, healthier approach to an illness many doctors are unfamiliar with. I'd hate to think where she'd be now if our insurance or other health care system dictated which doctor she saw.

I hope that's clearer for anyone who misunderstood my post about it costing $15 for a well visit.

yes you are absolutely right.