Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to get my child's records?
You can mail, fax, or drop off a signed request form (see documents below) asking for your child's records. Please specify if you require a summary (includes a history of the last visit, immunizations and growth charts) which we can send at no cost to you OR a copy of the entire chart which has a $30 charge. We can only mail records to your home or to the new medical provider OR you can request for a phone call to alert you when the records are ready for pick up.
Please Note: Patients who are 18 years old and up need to send us a request signed by them due to their age!
Remember you can print a copy of your child's immunization record through our Patient Portal If you have not yet signed up for the Portal, then complete this form and bring it into the office.
Please Note: Patients who are 18 years old and up need to send us a request signed by them due to their age!
Remember you can print a copy of your child's immunization record through our Patient Portal If you have not yet signed up for the Portal, then complete this form and bring it into the office.
|
| |||||
How do I get a school, camp, medication or other form completed and signed by our doctor?
You can mail, fax, or drop off the form in either the Berkeley or Orinda office. Routine forms will have the basic fee of $10 (except for medication forms) unless you bring the form with you at the time of the patient's well visit.
Urgent Forms (requested turnaround in 48 business hours or less) will incur a fee of $25.
Payments can be made in cash, check or credit card which is required at the time of service or before the forms can be sent out.
Due to HIPAA (privacy) laws, we are unable to fax or mail completed forms to any third party. We can only mail them to your home or they can be picked up at either office. We can also make the forms available on the Patient Portal for you to download and print. It may take 10-14 days to process the forms so do let us know if you have a deadline. We cannot have forms completed and signed at the time it was received.
Please note: The doctors cannot sign off on any form if the physical exam is not current (done within 1 year).
Urgent Forms (requested turnaround in 48 business hours or less) will incur a fee of $25.
Payments can be made in cash, check or credit card which is required at the time of service or before the forms can be sent out.
Due to HIPAA (privacy) laws, we are unable to fax or mail completed forms to any third party. We can only mail them to your home or they can be picked up at either office. We can also make the forms available on the Patient Portal for you to download and print. It may take 10-14 days to process the forms so do let us know if you have a deadline. We cannot have forms completed and signed at the time it was received.
Please note: The doctors cannot sign off on any form if the physical exam is not current (done within 1 year).
How do I get a referral to see a specialist for my child?
In many cases, your pediatrician at East Bay Pediatrics may be able to discuss the issue with you or even start evaluation and treatment. If you have not discussed a referral to a specialist with your primary physician already, please call our phone advice nurses. They can either direct your question to a doctor or make an appointment with your doctor. Please note that some insurances require a visit with your doctor prior to getting a referral to a specialist.
If you have already spoken to your child's physician about a referral, that referral may already be in process. Often the paperwork for referrals can take up to 7-10 business days. Please call our business office if you have questions about a referral which may already be in process.
Please note that several insurances now have Narrow Network provider lists. Please make sure to confirm that the specialist your physician recommended is on your plan when you call to schedule an appointment. Call our business office with any questions or if you need to redirect your referral or consult with your doctor about other options.
If you have already spoken to your child's physician about a referral, that referral may already be in process. Often the paperwork for referrals can take up to 7-10 business days. Please call our business office if you have questions about a referral which may already be in process.
Please note that several insurances now have Narrow Network provider lists. Please make sure to confirm that the specialist your physician recommended is on your plan when you call to schedule an appointment. Call our business office with any questions or if you need to redirect your referral or consult with your doctor about other options.
What is the best way for my child to get the well visit appointment time I desire?
Our schedule opens up about 4-5 months in advance. Certain doctors' schedules fill up fast! If you want your child's visit near his or her birthday, be sure to call about 5 months ahead. You can ask the front desk to add you to their call back list for whichever month you need so they can call and alert you when that month is open (before it gets too full). If you don't get the appointment date that you desire, you can also be added to the call back list in case of a new opening. NOTE: some insurances do not allow you to schedule well visits within 365 days of the last visit.
How can I get a message to our doctor and make sure he/she gets it in a timely manner? Can I get his/her voicemail, email address and/or direct phone number?
The best way to leave a message for the doctor is to speak to a nurse. The nurses can help you determine the best way to get your messages to the doctor at the appropriate time. This is especially helpful if it turns out the patient needs to be seen sooner than later. The nurses may direct you do the doctor's voicemail; remember that the doctor is seeing patients and may not be able to return your call until the end of the day or the next day. See below for email option.
* For Non-Urgent Matters:
Health information is protected by the HIPAA Privacy Act; emails require a secure login. Login to the Patient Portal to email your doctor, follow up on a referral, or order prescription refills. If you have not signed up for the Patient Portal, please complete the form provided below and bring it into the office.
Please use email communications for non-urgent matters as they may not be checked immediately. If you have an urgent medical issue or if you need a prescription within 2 days, please call the phone advice nurses at (925) 254-9203 & choose option 6 during normal business hours (9am-12:30pm and 2pm-5pm). Urgent medical issues after hours can be addressed by the physician on call at the (925) 254-9203, option 4.
* For Non-Urgent Matters:
Health information is protected by the HIPAA Privacy Act; emails require a secure login. Login to the Patient Portal to email your doctor, follow up on a referral, or order prescription refills. If you have not signed up for the Patient Portal, please complete the form provided below and bring it into the office.
Please use email communications for non-urgent matters as they may not be checked immediately. If you have an urgent medical issue or if you need a prescription within 2 days, please call the phone advice nurses at (925) 254-9203 & choose option 6 during normal business hours (9am-12:30pm and 2pm-5pm). Urgent medical issues after hours can be addressed by the physician on call at the (925) 254-9203, option 4.
| |||
Why do I need to call back and/or confirm my child's appointment? Is it really necessary to get multiple confirmation calls?
Some people don't call or wait until the last minute to cancel appointments. In the meantime, there are MANY new babies and sick kids trying to get in. We try our best not to turn away patients who need to be seen so having appointments confirmed or canceled in a timely manner will help us achieve this goal. Thank you for your understanding.
What insurances do you take?
East Bay Pediatrics is contracted with many private insurances, HMO, EPO & PPO plans. We are members of Brown & Toland Medical Group for HMO insurances. We are contracted with Blue Shield Covered California in both Alameda and Contra Costa counties. If you have any questions please contact our business office.
We are not providers for either Medi-Cal or Tri-Care.
PPO Plans:
United Healthcare, Aetna, Health Net, Blue Shield of California, Anthem Blue Cross of California, Prudent Buyer PPO Network, Great West, CIGNA, PHCS-affiliates
HMO Plans through Brown and Toland Medical Group: Primary Care Physician (PCP) Selection Required*
Health Net, United Healthcare, Anthem Blue Cross of California, Blue Shield of California, Aetna, CIGNA
*Make sure to choose one of our physicians as the primary care physician for your child. If you receive your card and it does not list the correct physician, you should call right away to get it updated.
Please note: A parent can be in a different medical group than a child in the same family. Just choose Brown & Toland and the right PCP for the child.
We are not providers for either Medi-Cal or Tri-Care.
PPO Plans:
United Healthcare, Aetna, Health Net, Blue Shield of California, Anthem Blue Cross of California, Prudent Buyer PPO Network, Great West, CIGNA, PHCS-affiliates
HMO Plans through Brown and Toland Medical Group: Primary Care Physician (PCP) Selection Required*
Health Net, United Healthcare, Anthem Blue Cross of California, Blue Shield of California, Aetna, CIGNA
*Make sure to choose one of our physicians as the primary care physician for your child. If you receive your card and it does not list the correct physician, you should call right away to get it updated.
Please note: A parent can be in a different medical group than a child in the same family. Just choose Brown & Toland and the right PCP for the child.
