Setting up a pediatrician

[MamaBear0612]

Wondering exactly when/how you go about setting up a pediatrician. Is that something I should do before the baby's born? Also wondering about insurance, when do you usually go about adding the baby to your insurance?

My OB asked me about my plans for a pediatrician on my last visit (I wasn't even 18 weeks yet) and since I had no clue, handed me a list of doctors. Now that I think I've figured out which one I want for my baby, not sure what the next step is or when I need to get all this stuff done. Any advice from someone who's done this before would be appreciated. :)

[MamaBear0612]

Okay thanks everybody, you gals are great. :)

He's in my hospital system, his office is actually either in or near the hospital, just from my address. So I'll check into it.

[Ashelen]

Mikaleen said what I was going to say - if you don't have a pediatrician, or they aren't affiliated with your hospital, they will send a staff doc to do the discharge exam and care for your baby while you are in the hospital.

Our pediatrician is AWESOME! When I first delivered my daughter, I delivered at the hospital he is affiliated with and he came down and talked with us for a good hour...he's this big Jamaican bear of a man and I love him like an uncle! With my son's delivery, I switched hospitals and unfortunately he was not affiliated with that hospital so the staff doc is who cared for my son before we left, BUT at my request, he consulted with our pediatrician and every time he came to talk to us, he would call our ped on speakerphone so we could all three discuss what was going on.

I'll be delivering at hospital #2 again with baby #3 so we'll be with the staff doc this time too....but no worries, the staff docs have a LOT of experience with newborn care, lol.

I too recommend doing an interview so you can be sure that your doctor agrees with your choices on vaccination, co-sleeping, etc...the ONE thing our doc doesn't see eye-to-eye with us on is pacifiers (we use them, he doesn't like them)...but he's been supportive of co-sleeping, staggered vaccination, and trying everything else before resorting to medication...so I couldn't be happier.

[mikaleen]

Also, we had 30 days after her birth to add her to our insurance.  Talking to HR will give you a better idea of cost, coverage, etc.  I don't believe it matters who's insurance she is on, as you are both legal parents, unless there is some kind of legal agreement for custody and care on the record, but again, HR could probably give you info on that.

[mikaleen]

Many peds will be open to interviews before baby is born so you can ask any questions you have and hear about their views, to make sure they line up with yours.  You can google and find lists of good interview questions so you can decide which are most important to you.  You can call around to offices on top of your list, and a good Dr. will take some time to speak with you so you get to know each other and you can decide if your beliefs will line up with theirs on things such as vaccines, sleeping and feeding. (just a few, there are many more!)    You can also find out about office hours, how many Dr.s in the practice and so forth. You will get a feeling for the Dr. and will know if they are someone you will trust with your daughter's care.  I believe I was about 28 weeks when I set up my interviews and chose a Dr.  If the Dr. is not affiliated with your birthing hospital then the on staff ped will care for her until discharge.  I was asked to have an appt with my daughter's regular Dr. scheduled for within 48 of discharge, but all hospital policy's are different.

[ANJJones]

You have to choose one before the baby is born so that dr can discharge the baby. Think about it would you rather someone of your choice take care if your newborn or someone you know nothing about do it..

[jenjenN86]

My OB asked me about 30 weeks. He recommended one and I went with his recommendation. My OB set everything up and my sons ped was there in the hospital every morning to see my son before we were discharged. There were no complications he just came to check on him. I trust my OB and I will always take his recommendations because I love our ped!

[jenjenN86]

My OB asked me about 30 weeks. He recommended one and I went with his recommendation. My OB set everything up and my sons ped was there in the hospital every morning to see my son before we were discharged. There were no complications he just came to check on him. I trust my OB and I will always take his recommendations because I love our ped!

[MamaBear0612]

All good to know, thanks!

[babybaby617590]

I actually am due in less than a week and called the pediatrician office. They said someone will come around to the hospital ask you who you plan to use and then send a referral. You should have an idea who you want.

[tmhw]

In my case, I was told that I needed to pick a pediatrician before the baby was born, get in contact with them, and let them know I wanted them to be the doctor. Otherwise the baby will be checked by whoever is on call that day and my insurance may or may not cover it. I have military insurance though and everything seems to be more difficult with them so you may not have that issue.

[kfrasher]

If you do choose a pediatrician and fill out their name on paper work @ the hospital, that Doc will have to discharge the baby b4 you can leave and go home!! ( that has been my experience with my girls) plus I think it would be wise to meet and talk with the Doc well b4 hand! I absolutly love my pediatrician but have heard lots of mothers complain abt their Docs!!

[steph_ut]

I'm not sure if it varies by state, but un the state where I live, the child is to be put on the insurance of the parent whose birthday occurs first in the calendar year. My husband is a January birthday so that's why we put her on his. We could have put her double-covered on mine but it's very expensive for limited coverage so we just stock lots of money in our FSA accounts.

[MamaBear0612]

No, no medicaid, I have regular insurance through my job. So does my ex, I guess we have to decide who's insurance to put her under...so many things to do, glad I have time. :)

[orangebrowning]

and for insurance after the baby is born is when you can file. depending if you are wanting to add the baby to yall insurance or get medicade for the baby. usually if you are going to get medicade they usually set all that up while your in the hospital if your not going to do medicade and use other health insurance but do wait until baby is born..

[steph_ut]

I'm not sure about setting up a pediatrician since our daughter goes to our GP for medical care. But, for health insurance, etc, we filled the paperwork with my husband's HR department after her birth - she qualified as a "change of life" or something similar so she could be covered immediately but not before her birth.

[orangebrowning]

You don't have to do anything until you have the baby. While your in the hospital children doctors will check on your baby and one will tell you how your baby is doing. after you go home call a chlidren doctor that you would like and make an appointment. some places with the first visit its just a walk in because the newborn is just being weight and checked. I hope this helps.