Policies

We require that all our patients receive their required vaccines according to the AAP Recommended Vaccine Schedule. We do not offer delayed or alternative vaccine schedules.

As medical professionals, we feel very strongly that vaccinating children on schedule with currently available vaccines is absolutely the right thing to do for all children and young adults. We are making you aware of these facts not to scare you or coerce you, but to emphasize the importance of vaccinating your child. We are more than willing to discuss any questions you may have about vaccines, but do require all new patients to our practice to adhere to the vaccination schedule endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

• We firmly believe in the effectiveness of vaccines to prevent serious illness and to save lives.
• We firmly believe in the safety of our vaccines.
• We firmly believe that all children and young adults should receive all of the recommended vaccines according to the schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). 
• We firmly believe, based on all available literature, evidence, and current studies, that vaccines do not cause autism or other developmental disabilities. 
• We firmly believe that thimerosal, a preservative that has been in vaccines for decades and remains in some vaccines, does not cause autism or other developmental disabilities.
• We firmly believe that vaccinating children and young adults may be the single most important health promoting intervention we perform as health care providers, and that you can support as parents/caregivers.

The recommended vaccines and the schedule of administration are the results of years and years of scientific study and data-gathering on millions of children by thousands of our brightest scientists and physicians.

Certain vaccines on the schedule are considered "recommended" rather than "required". Examples include influenza, COVID-19, and HPV. We highly recommend adhering to the recommended schedule for these vaccines as well, but this is not required in order to be a part of our practice.

Delaying or “breaking up the vaccines” to give one or two at a time over additional visits goes against expert recommendations, is not supported by any scientific data, can lead to unnecessary delays and errors, and can put your child, other children, and adults at risk for serious illness (or even death). 

Families who decide not to adhere to this policy will be dismissed from our practice and referred elsewhere. 

We ask that you arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. We understand sometimes things happen beyond your control that may cause you to be late. However, we reserve the right to ask you to reschedule if you arrive late for your appointment.

Our practice makes every effort to run on time with appointments, as we believe everyone’s time is equally valuable.

Missed Appointments: Broken appointments represent a cost to us, to you, and to other patients who could have been seen in the time set aside for you. We reserve the right to dismiss familes from our practice for repeated missed appointments. We request 24 hours notice for cancellation of appointments.

We reserve the right to dismiss patients from our practice for repeated missed appointments. The third missed appointment will result in discharge from the practice.

For new patients, you will be dismissed from the practice if your first appointment is missed.

We work hard to not overuse antibiotics.

We educate families on appropriate use of antibiotics and follow evidence-based guidelines. We don’t automatically treat ear pain or a green snotty nose with antibiotics.

We do not routinely prescribe antibiotics over the phone as we do not believe that is good medicine. We will prescribe an antibiotic when we believe it is an appropriate treatment.

PATIENTS WITH INSURANCE

Our office participates in most health insurance plans. Since plans often change, we ask to see your insurance card with each visit. Parents who do not provide insurance information will be billed directly. 

Co-payments are due at the time of service. Your co-payment is a contractual agreement between you and your insurance company and we are not able to change or waive co-payments.

You are responsible for the payment of any co-payments, deductibles, non-covered services, coinsurance and any other expenses not covered by your insurance plan. After insurance has paid, any balance remaining is due within 30 days upon receipt of your statement. If payment cannot be paid in full, financial arrangements are to be made with the business office.

In order to ensure continued coverage for newborns, please contact your insurance company within the first 30 days of life and add their name to your insurance policy.

PATIENTS WITHOUT INSURANCE (UNINSURED)

Payment is expected at the time services are rendered. 

PAYMENTS

We accept cash, check, and credit card. A service charge will be applied for returned checks. 

NON-PAYMENT

If an account is placed for collection with an agency, any court and legal fees incurred shall be your responsibility. Once an account is turned to the collection agency, all patients under the delinquent guarantor will need to seek medical care elsewhere.

WELLNESS (PREVENTIVE HEALTH) VISITS

Wellness visits involve an overview of many important health topics. If new problems or changes in chronic conditions need to be addressed, our providers will give them the time and attention they deserve – either at this visit or in a separate visit. In either case, an office visit will be billed: copays, deductibles and/or co-insurance apply.

Denver West Pediatrics Privacy Notice

You will be encouraged to consult our website, register for and use our patient portal, and effectively use automated reminders for appointments and for routine care/immunizations that are due.

Denver West Pediatrics Acknowledgement and Consent for Telemedcine Services and Treatment