Surprised by Pediatric Practice

[Anonymous]

We're new to the area (from Boston), and I was shocked by a few issues presented by the pediatric practice I signed up with and by an emergency room experience we had last week. Today at the pediatrician's, I was surprised to learn that I had an outstanding balance. When I asked what it was for, the receptionist responded that I had been charged $15 for an after hours call with the Dr. Is this normal here in DC? I was shocked because this never happened at the primary pediatric practice associated with a leading Boston hospital that we used. Back in Boston, we could call in after hours with an urgent question and a triage nurse or, depending on the urgency, a Dr. would call us back at no charge. Last week were were incredibly surprised that we were forced to wait 6 hours at Georgetown Univ. hospital for our 18 month old to be given stitches in his forehead. They also had no pediatricians on the floor at noon on a Friday. Is all of this normal for this area? If it's not, I would love some good DC/ Bethesda/ Chevy Chase pediatric practice recommendations and some insight about where my children will receive the best emergency care if the need arises (ie. are there area hospitals with a special pediatric ER, is Children's the best bet?). Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

I can't speak to the ER issue (fortunately), but yes, our pediatrician's office charges for after-hours/ weekend calls, too.

[Anonymous]

6 hours is a short wait in an ER here from my experience and several friends over the years

with stitches I am generally less concerned with a pediatrician that I am getting someone from plastics

I think I have seen a pediatric resident once during one trip to the ER

Our pediatric practice also charges $15 for an after hours call

[Anonymous]

Children's ER delivers excellent care but in my experience the waits are horrendous (fwiw, none of our visits were life-and-death, and they do triage you pretty quickly). I think like any big urban hospital, Childrens tends to handle a lot of urgent-care cases for families with less access to routine medical care. We've had a good experience at Suburban in Bethesda, which has a children's ER complete with (stocked) DVD players in the rooms. In terms of pediatricians, I can't speak to the after hours charges, but we really like our practice, Capital Medical Group on Conn Avenue in Chevy Chase - just inside the beltway.

[Anonymous]

Our practice just instituted the after hours charge. But I think if you call after hours AND the MD tells you to go to the ER, the charge is waived. In other words, they are trying to weed out frivolous calls.

I can't speak to the ER wait time issue.

[Anonymous]

Our office doesn't charge for after hours calls but we're in Silver Spring. That said - I've only called once after hours (2 month old was vomiting repeatedly). Even if they did charge me a small amount (such as $15), this would seem more than reasonable to me to be worth the ability to talk to the ped 24/7 if I really needed to.

[Anonymous]

Neither pediatric practice that I have used has charged for after-hours calls.

My daughter had stitches done at Children's and my son has been to the ER there about three times for various issues. We've never waited more than two hours for care.

[Anonymous]

Never been charged for after-hours calls. But I haven't had one if a while so maybe practices are moving that way.

If you're in Montgomery county, you should go to Suburban hospital in Bethesda for the ER. They saw my DD in about 4 minutes one night. Separate ped area once you're through triage.

For a great ped practice, check out Brasch and Goldstein in Chevy Chase (at Friendship Hts). Small group - just 4 docs. Only once did I have a wait longer than 5 minutes. Fabulous office staff. their # is 301-656-2745

[Anonymous]

my pediatrician (pullman and ariza) does not charge for after hours calls. we were seen almost immediately in my one ER visit to georgetown hospital...although by the time we left we had been there close to three hours.

[Anonymous]

My office (metropolitan pediatrics) doesn't charge for after hours calls. The one time I had to go to the ER at Gtown, we waited only half an hour, but our daughter was 7 wks. at the time so they were trying to get her out of the ER in a hurry. We did see a pediatric attending as well, but our case was more serious than stitches.

[Anonymous]

We used to live in Boston and the medical care down here is appalling compared to up there. Thank God we've been healthy (knock, knock), but just experiencing the basic care we've received, it's amazing doctors around here are still in business. I seriously considered moving back to Boston when I got pregnant. I calmed down once I found a great OB, but my pediatrician’s office also charges for after hour calls. I'm sure the fee is meant for the nervous nelly parents, but that's what doctors are supposed to be there for.

[Anonymous]

You have a problem paying a measly $15 to wake up your pediatrician? Yes, that's what they're there for, but they're not there to fill non-urgent prescriptions at 3AM or to deal with a chronic problem in the middle of the night. The fee (nominal in my opinion) is there to weed out the nutjobs who would otherwise call at the drop of a hat.
People don't blink at paying their hairdressers $300, but $15 for your sick child is too much.
This is the reason doctors are leaving practice in droves.

[Anonymous]

We go to a practice in Virginia, and I know you're not looking for that area, but just to chime in - they do not charge for after hours calls. I do not think it's a DC vs. Boston thing as most practices do not charge for after hours calls. If it is a growing trend, then they'll all catch up regardless of what metropolitan area you're in.

We see a pediatric specialist at Georgetown, but other than that I can't comment on the ER.

As for the pp who was "appaled" at care in DC, perhaps it's just a matter of finding the right practices and doctors. The DC area does have some very, very good doctors.

[Anonymous]

Our practice doesn't charge either. I don't think I'd mind paying the extra fee if I know about it up front - I rarely call and would only do so if I am debating on the emergency room. I wonder if insurance would cover it? Havent had to use the ER but I would be upset if I had to wait that long for a baby. ERs in this area are notoriously busy, but I have heard good things about Montgomery General hospital (way out near Olney) and Holy Cross in SS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have a problem paying a measly $15 to wake up your pediatrician? Yes, that's what they're there for, but they're not there to fill non-urgent prescriptions at 3AM or to deal with a chronic problem in the middle of the night. The fee (nominal in my opinion) is there to weed out the nutjobs who would otherwise call at the drop of a hat.
People don't blink at paying their hairdressers $300, but $15 for your sick child is too much.
This is the reason doctors are leaving practice in droves.

OP here. However "measly" $15 dollars may be, in my past experiece, Dr.'s have joined the pediatric profession because they believe in helping people safely and effectively navigate parenthood and their child/children's health. I am far from an alarmist and take exception to your comments. By the way, I can't afford $60 for a haircut never mind $300. So at this point in my life, $15 isn't so measly.