Well child visits... (Full Version)

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VisitorinWaiting -> Well child visits... (6/30/2008 11:46:49 AM)

My son turned 5 on the 5th of June...he still hasn't had his yearly checkup with the doctor. I call them and tell them how long it has been since his birthday, and their response has been, "Has he had his four year old shots?" I say, "Yes," they say...well, we can see you whenever...they don't seem to think much of it being so long since his birthday. I know it hasn't been A LONG TIME, but my former pediatrician was really strict about how soon she saw them after their birthday. I'm okay with it...I just don't have a chance to go...I'd like to take only the 5 year old, but have no one to watch my other two...on the days and times that hubby is available, they never seem to be... [:@] So, it's getting rather frustrating. My question is this...how long do they have to have these yearly checks? And why? I mean, I don't remember going to the doctor every year as a child, and neither does hubby. If my child is sick, I think I'm bright enough to take him to the doctor...if he has some sort of developmental problem, I'm smart enough to question the doctor about it. I'm just really frustrated now because I've been trying to schedule an apppointmet for almost a month now, and can't ever get all the people on the same page.



Jenny-Fair -> RE: Well child visits... (6/30/2008 3:08:19 PM)

Other than emergencies, my kids only go every few years. I do need to take Nate in soon as he is due for some immunizations and he is entering puberty. Because we delay shots and he was born at home, he didn't actually have his first well child checkup until he was 18 months old. With Brandon we did the whole shebang until he was three, and then I calmed down and realized that since I am his mom and was with him all the time, I would likely spot any problems.



Leslie_JnJs_mom -> RE: Well child visits... (6/30/2008 3:24:04 PM)

I know quite a few people who only do doctors visits when the kids are sick. At all of Jessica's visits they get her weight , look in her ears and nose. Other then that they aske me if I have any concerns. I sometimes wonder if it is really all about money and less on healthcare.



csl7037 -> RE: Well child visits... (6/30/2008 3:40:52 PM)

I'm also a big proponent of well visits and in our state my kids still have to have a form from the doctor to start school every year (entering 2nd and 4th grades this year we still need them). But I wouldn't worry that it's been a few weeks. As babies and toddlers, with all the immunizations (if you do those) and benchmarks that need to be done on a schedule, I think it's more important. Does your ds start Kindergarten in September? As far as the doctor and the school are concerned, as long as he's had that checkup and whatever shots he needs by then, it should be fine. I actually put my ds' off this year for about six months so that I could get he and his sister both on the same schedule and just do them once/year. And I just did it a few weeks ago so that the form would be dated late enough that it would not expire until after the next school year ends. So we're on track now to just do the well visits sometime in June (and their birthdays are December and August).



peculiar_lady2 -> RE: Well child visits... (6/30/2008 3:50:42 PM)

we don't really do dr visits unless there is a reason or concern of ours.



csl7037 -> RE: Well child visits... (6/30/2008 4:00:00 PM)

So are the majority here not doing vaccinations??


...I just searched to see if there was an old thread and found a couple. Don't have time (or inclination) to read those now as I was just asking out of curiousity related to this topic - not out of any interest to debate or start a huge discussion!

It's just that mine even got shots at their last appointment (at 7 & 8). They were just boosters. And I don't think those were required for school but I know that at least until Kindergarten, their shots were required and had to be documented to start school. I think at the ages they're at now, they just want to know a physical was done and the date on the form is current for the state's requirements. I just don't know how that works to not get them unless you're homeschooling because I've got to have this stuff on file. Honestly, that's my biggest problem with the whole system is that I don't feel that the state, in theory, should be able to dictate that. But, at the same time, I haven't made an issue of it and don't know how that would fly for the school. (Mine are in private, BTW.)

...OK, I just did a quick google and my state does allow for a "religious exemption" with a written request from the parents. What religion would require an exemption on that basis? Not Christianity. Does it count that my religion expects me to make decisions for my child and not you?!?! I think that's what I'd have to put on such a form so how does it work? And it would be weird for me to ask for a "religious exemption" at a religious school!! That seems like a poorly worded piece of legislation. I do supposed if they called it a "parents' prerogative" exemption it would get abused maybe.



Mrs.Wifey -> RE: Well child visits... (6/30/2008 4:25:55 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: peculiar_lady2

we don't really do dr visits unless there is a reason or concern of ours.


Same here. We skipped Gabby's 6 month checkup(although she was in about the same time for allergy stuff) since she was getting shots then, but she did have her 9 month one where she got a couple shots. She probably won't go again until she's 18 months.

Ya know, if he isn't getting vaccinations and doesn't need a checkup for school then why go?



Consecrated2God -> RE: Well child visits... (6/30/2008 4:28:48 PM)

We rarely take our kids to the doctor. We only go when they are sick and need a doctor. I don't see the point in bringing them in when they aren't sick, personally.



VisitorinWaiting -> RE: Well child visits... (6/30/2008 4:34:39 PM)

I do not have a PROBLEM with immunizations or well child visits. All three of my children have had the immunizations that were required of them from the day they were born, basically...so, I have no problem with it... I don't have a problem with those who choose not to immunize either. It's all based on the parents decision at that time, and I can totally understand why some do not. My son will not be starting school in September as we are homeschooling and have been since he was about 3...not by a standard curriculum though until this coming school year. My doctor doesn't know that we plan to homeschool, just because it hasn't come up. I suppose it might at the 5 year old visit, but since we haven't btdt yet, I don't know... BUT when we were there for his four year check, they gave him four shots, telling me that he was now school ready and wouldn't need shots anymore until 6, I think. I believe that is why they are not as concerned about this 5 year old check...which makes me wonder if it's really worth my time and money. We already owe this doctor money from previous well child visits and shots with another child...so this will only add to my bill. He does allow us to make minimal payments when we can. He has been very supportive to us since we moved to this state, and I really like him. He doesn't take our insurance though...we have an insurance from my husband's employer that most doctors take, but not him. He only takes the insurance that is given free if you qualify by the state dept. Now, would I have any repercussions if I missed this visit all together? That's what I am not sure about. I know that with that free insurance with the state, if you miss a well child visit, they will report it to the dhs...but I'm not sure if they do that if you are with other insurance companies, which my insurance company doesn't even know who my children's doctor is because we don't file insurance knowing that he's not an approved doctor with their company. My children are all in good health...I think we've only had 2 sick visits total between all three of them in the five years we've had them. I just don't want someone knocking on my door one day saying that I am mistreating my child by not having a well child visit...kwim?



Leslie_JnJs_mom -> RE: Well child visits... (6/30/2008 5:10:37 PM)

No one will knock on your door if you do not take your child in for a yearly checkup. I would have had plenty of knocks on my door if that was the case.



isaacsmom -> RE: Well child visits... (6/30/2008 5:31:49 PM)

Mine stop going for well-child visits when they are 2. The insurance covers them 100% until then, so I take them. After that, they only go in if there's a problem. My 3 1/2 year old hasn't been for a well-child visit since he was 2. I took him to my husband's company clinic this past winter when he had the flu to get tested for the flu. That's the only time he's been in the last 18 months. It's really just your personal decision as a parent.



csl7037 -> RE: Well child visits... (6/30/2008 5:38:47 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: VisitorinWaiting
We already owe this doctor money from previous well child visits and shots with another child...so this will only add to my bill. He does allow us to make minimal payments when we can. He has been very supportive to us since we moved to this state, and I really like him. He doesn't take our insurance though...we have an insurance from my husband's employer that most doctors take, but not him. He only takes the insurance that is given free if you qualify by the state dept.


I know you like him and all and he's nice about being owed money but why would you go to this doctor who's not covered!?!? If you went to someone covered, they'd probably be nice too especially if you wont owe them money!!



zoebob -> RE: Well child visits... (6/30/2008 5:51:57 PM)

I agree that there's no need for yearly well child checkups, especially once they are 5 and have all their shots they need to start school. I did them till they were 5 and had their shots. Then they don't need any till they about 12. No need to go every year if there are no concerns in that time.



3cappuccinosmom -> RE: Well child visits... (6/30/2008 6:31:02 PM)

No need to be rigid about it. We do all the vaxes and everything, but my kids are often at their "yearly" check ups many months after the calendar says it's due. [;)]



zoebob -> RE: Well child visits... (6/30/2008 7:05:00 PM)

Once they get to 1 a year I tend to take them all at the same time and their bdays are in Jan, July, and Nov.



Mrs.Wifey -> RE: Well child visits... (6/30/2008 8:05:22 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: csl7037

quote:

ORIGINAL: VisitorinWaiting
We already owe this doctor money from previous well child visits and shots with another child...so this will only add to my bill. He does allow us to make minimal payments when we can. He has been very supportive to us since we moved to this state, and I really like him. He doesn't take our insurance though...we have an insurance from my husband's employer that most doctors take, but not him. He only takes the insurance that is given free if you qualify by the state dept.


I know you like him and all and he's nice about being owed money but why would you go to this doctor who's not covered!?!? If you went to someone covered, they'd probably be nice too especially if you wont owe them money!!


Yeah, I was kinda wondering the same thing. Especially if you do vax and don't have any problems with condescending doctors.

But no, no one is going to knock on your door. Otherwise the majority of us would probably not have our children, lol.



Sideways -> RE: Well child visits... (6/30/2008 8:10:06 PM)

Our well child visits are completely covered, so we pay nothing extra, but I'd say, if the child doesn't need shots, isn't sick, then I wouldn't worry to much about it.

But I would recommend searching for a doctor who does take your insurance. I'm sure he's not the only nice, easy going doctor out there.



peculiar_lady2 -> RE: Well child visits... (6/30/2008 9:37:18 PM)

quote:

So are the majority here not doing vaccinations??

actually most do them...either on time or on a slightly different schedule. Very few around here don't do them at all...and we are one of the few that now don't do them at all (because of previous experiences with them and the bad reactions our kids tend to have with them). Our first had all of them on time. Our second had them delayed. Our third had them once. Our last two haven't/won't get them at all.

the last visit we did with our kids (other then the weight check for our newborn today) was because we needed a referral for her to get her eyes checked. (Unfortunately that referral ran out before we could get an apt so we have to go again to get another referral). Before that it was all of them clearing medical when we left Germany 16 months ago (required by the Army that all family members be cleared by medical...otherwise we wouldn't have gone then). Before that.....years since we have needed to take one of ours to the dr. Honestly I think it was when we were moving to Germany and had to clear medical before going. We really don't take them to the dr very often. It isn't about insurance either....we are military and they have good coverage (free and complete at all MTF's). We just don't see a point in it. My kids are hardly ever sick though...if they were in need of care we would take them in.



Mrs.Wifey -> RE: Well child visits... (7/1/2008 9:51:21 AM)

quote:

Our well child visits are completely covered, so we pay nothing extra, but I'd say, if the child doesn't need shots, isn't sick, then I wouldn't worry to much about it.


Do you have a copay for well baby visits with Kaiser?



Sideways -> RE: Well child visits... (7/1/2008 10:22:08 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mrs.Wifey
quote:

Our well child visits are completely covered, so we pay nothing extra, but I'd say, if the child doesn't need shots, isn't sick, then I wouldn't worry to much about it.

Do you have a copay for well baby visits with Kaiser?


No, we don't. We pay $15 for a sick baby visit, though.



cindybode -> RE: Well child visits... (7/1/2008 1:36:17 PM)

I take my kids in when they're sick - and they have to be pretty sick or have some other condition that's concerning me. Of course I'm in pediatric medicine so I'm pretty cognizant of what does and does not need treatment. My kids go in for the immunizations I want them to have, but otherwise we don't do well child visits.



csl7037 -> RE: Well child visits... (7/1/2008 2:00:36 PM)

I guess I'm in the minority in that I really consider my pediatrician, along with the kids' teachers, to be on the same "team". My kids are rarely sick - seems like we can go forever never needing to go in and then we'll be there 5 times in a few weeks, it's weird. But I like the yearly visit just to touch base, especially if I haven't had to see her for a while. I like checking in with her and I like letting the kids see her when they're not sick or miserable. I think it makes them more comfortable with her when they do need to go in. And I like to keep her and the info in her files up to date. If/when some emergency comes up, I don't want to be running to a virtual stranger and I don't want to have to waste time catching her up on anything that's happened or changed since we last saw her.



shadowspring -> RE: Well child visits... (7/1/2008 5:18:32 PM)

I also take my children in for annual check-ups, and I will keep it up. They get cholesterol checks. opportunities to discuss any health questions they have with the doctor and/or nurse, and other tests as the doctor sees fit. They also get an annual skin check at the dermatologist.

Our insurance does cover annual check-ups, and my son has always needed one for something-football, camp, etc. Plus I must admit that as a homeschooler I always wanted a good working relationship with a doctor in case we ever faced any false allegations of neglect or abuse.

My daughter is seventeen, and I will try to keep her having check-ups as long as she is on our insurance. Then she's on her own! My son has a skin-check appointment tomorrow.

And we vaccinated more or less on schedule, but dd doesn't want the Gardasil. She is not sexually active, and she says she will decide once she is engaged, based on her potential husband's testimony, whether to get it or not.

Needless to say I won't argue with that logic! [:D]



Sideways -> RE: Well child visits... (7/1/2008 7:56:19 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: csl7037
I guess I'm in the minority in that I really consider my pediatrician, along with the kids' teachers, to be on the same "team". My kids are rarely sick - seems like we can go forever never needing to go in and then we'll be there 5 times in a few weeks, it's weird. But I like the yearly visit just to touch base, especially if I haven't had to see her for a while. I like checking in with her and I like letting the kids see her when they're not sick or miserable. I think it makes them more comfortable with her when they do need to go in. And I like to keep her and the info in her files up to date. If/when some emergency comes up, I don't want to be running to a virtual stranger and I don't want to have to waste time catching her up on anything that's happened or changed since we last saw her.


I totally agree with you on every point. I have a very positive relationship with my doctor's office, and I sincerely wish to maintain it. The nurses and doctors actually know Nathan, and I fully intend to keep up with every scheduled visit. Besides, it's no extra money, so why not take advantage of the opportunity?

But under the OP's specific situation, I don't think it's critical that she go in right around a child's birthday.



PrudentWife -> RE: Well child visits... (7/1/2008 9:05:03 PM)

quote:

But I like the yearly visit just to touch base, especially if I haven't had to see her for a while. I like checking in with her and I like letting the kids see her when they're not sick or miserable. I think it makes them more comfortable with her when they do need to go in. And I like to keep her and the info in her files up to date. If/when some emergency comes up, I don't want to be running to a virtual stranger and I don't want to have to waste time catching her up on anything that's happened or changed since we last saw her.


I agree completely. My parents didn't take me to the Dr growing up, and as an adult it took me a very long time to be comfortable with going to the Dr. I don't want my children going through that.

My two year old just went on her well child last week. She didn't need any shots, but it just reinforced that positive relationship with her. She is still asking me to take her back to the doctor to play.



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