Pediatrician/Hospital question

ddunne23 Posted: Feb 24, 2004 10:20 AM

Pediatrician/Hospital question

My insurance company has a maternity program that if you enroll they will pay a higher percentage of all your bills. So of course I am jumping on that. Anyway, in order to enroll I have to have the hospital and pediatrician picked out already! By default I know what the hospital will be because my doc is only assoicated with one on my plan, but how do you go about determining your pediatrician? Should I be calling and talking to them like an interview of sorts? And if so, what do you ask, look for? Also, are you supposed to pick a pediatrician that is also affiliated with the hospital you deliver at so they can check out the baby after delivery or is it usually just a staff pediatrician? Sorry for all the questions! Its a little overwhelming that I need to figure all this out before I have even been to the doc.

Lisalou Posted: Feb 24, 2004 10:30 AM

Re: Pediatrician/Hospital question

We were actually talking about this a few weeks ago. I'll find the thread for you.
To help answer some of your questions based on my experience, I too was told to get a pediatrician as soon as possible not so much for the insurance but for knowing that the ped. you picked will come to the hospital after the baby is born to do a full check up of the baby. In my case I asked several of my friends for their experiences and pediatricians. I then started to call and ask for interviews. After going and interviewing not only the doctors but staff I made my decision. All I have to do at this point is put the dr.s' name on the pre-registration form at the hospital. You do not have to pick a dr. that is affiliated with the hospital. Any rotating ped. will come see your baby and do a full check up before he/she leaves. It's a personal decision to get a pediatrician ahead of the delivery. I chose to be prepared and not have to worry about it after the baby is born. HTH

Also I have a list of questions I asked my ped. when interviewing.

Lisalou Posted: Feb 24, 2004 10:32 AM

Re: Pediatrician/Hospital question

Review this thread: http://www.liweddings.com/chat/topic.aspx?ID=117393

ddunne23 Posted: Feb 24, 2004 10:33 AM

Re: Pediatrician/Hospital question

Thanks, I'll check it out!

Lisalou Posted: Feb 24, 2004 10:39 AM

Re: Pediatrician/Hospital question

The thread was good, it gives a good range of opinions and valuable information that helped me make my decision. Good luck in your search.

ddunne23 Posted: Feb 24, 2004 10:46 AM

Re: Pediatrician/Hospital question

So, from reading the thread, if the ped I choose is not affilated with the hospital it is no biggie unless I totally want the ped I choose to examine the baby right after birth? is that accurate?

Lisalou Posted: Feb 24, 2004 10:49 AM

Re: Pediatrician/Hospital question

From what was explained to me from ym doctor, yes.

NovemberSue Posted: Feb 24, 2004 11:07 AM

Re: Pediatrician/Hospital question

We have an appt to meet with a pediatrician this week. We were referred to them by some friends of ours and the office is very close by.
The only problem is that the dr doesn't work with the hospital where I will be delivering at.
Our friends told us that we can ask them if they can go there when the baby's born to check out the baby and if not, if they can refer another dr for that day.
My OB/GYN told me to make sure I have a pediatrician for the hospital and NOT to let the hospital just pick one.

Elizabeth Posted: Feb 24, 2004 11:16 AM

Re: Pediatrician/Hospital question

Your pediatrician definitely doesn't have to be affiliated with the hospital. They just have to have one on file to come check the baby. They will come 2 or 3 times while you are in the hospital. It would be very helpful if you had the same ped come that you are going to use. When they do the newborn screening tests, they send them to the NYS Dept of Health and the State sends your ped the results. They will no doubt send them right to the ped you have on file with the hospital. Plus you need to bring the baby to the ped the first week he or she is home as well so it is just beneficial to have everything the set.

I don't know where you are live but the ped we have now is in Garden City and she is really good, we like her. I loved my old pediatricians but I had to switch when the baby & I went onto DH's insurance. They are located in Mineola, 4 women doctors, all really good IMO.

Let me know if you want either one's name & #