Our 21-year-old mostly does his own appointments and has since he turned 18. On occasion, he will ask if I can help - we share a lot of the same doctors so if I'm making the appointment for myself I will also make one for him (at his request). There have been a few complications over the years with portals, insurance coverage, and medication renewals. If he can't work it out himself, he will ask for our guidance. We don't intentionally insert ourselves in the process - unless requested.

My 15 year old son is just starting to practice calling and working with the scheduler to find a time that works with his school calendar. Dentist, annual check up, haircut, etc…

He keeps our insurance card photos in his phone so it’s always handy.

The specialist who oversees his condition which is well-managed and needs to stay that way? I book that. It needs to be done exactly right. Or he would be in a world of pain. I might have him take this over summer before college. No sooner.

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, I set the appointments. He knows how to do them. He has a nice insurance. But for the life of me, he stinks at setting up the appointments. At the same time, he lives on his own, pays all his bills on time, so I guess, he is mature in some way.

It sounds like you can probably stop now.

Anonymous wrote:If you have a college-aged child, do they handle their own medical needs in terms of setting up appointments and going? My ds is terrible about it and just texted me to make him a specialist appointment for tomorrow, which I highly doubt can happen. He is working all summer, weird schedule he does not know in advance, so I have no way of making him a future appointment and knowing if he can actually go.

Sometimes yes. Sometimes now. DC is 18.

Anonymous wrote:If you have a college-aged child, do they handle their own medical needs in terms of setting up appointments and going? My ds is terrible about it and just texted me to make him a specialist appointment for tomorrow, which I highly doubt can happen. He is working all summer, weird schedule he does not know in advance, so I have no way of making him a future appointment and knowing if he can actually go.

Other kids don't matter. Parent your kid. You'll be dead one day, so prepare your kid for that eventuality.

Generally I schedule for docs I know, and he schedules for anyone new. Like I schedule his dentist appt because we’ve been going for years and the scheduler knows me and is always willing to find a date and time that works for a kid with limited time at home.