Keeping you informed with the latest news at North Fulton Pediatrics.
What's New
A Message to our Patients Covered by the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP)
During the open enrollment period beginning October 1st to November 15th you may have the opportunity to switch the insurance for your child(ren) under SHBP from United or Cigna to Peachcare. Peachcare is a federally subsidized health insurance program run by the state Department of Community Health, which also administers Georgia's Medicaid program. Peachcare for Kids health insurance is available to children through 18 years of age if parents' household income meets Peachcare eligibility guidelines. Their are 3 Peachcare plans and the only plan North Fulton Pediatrics accepts is WELLCARE.
If you meet the household income guidelines for Peachcare and are considering this option, please be aware of these factors when making your decision:
PREMIUMS: The premiums under Peachcare may be less than your premiums under United or Cigna.
COPAYMENTS: Peachcare copayments may be less than United or Cigna. In some cases there are no copayments under Peachcare.
PRIMARY CARE PEDIATRICIAN: Some general Pediatricians who see United and Cigna patients do not accept Peachcare. Our practice currently accepts Peachcare. In you qualify for Peachcare, you will be assigned one of the CMO's and the only CMO we accept is WELLCARE. Your child(ren) may continue to be treated here; however, if we are inundated with requests for Medicaid conversions, we maintain the prerogative to cap our Medicaid census and decline to accept future patients. At that point you may be excluded from our practice and may have difficulty finding an alternative practice which accepts Medicaid. Remember, you can only change insurance plans once a year during your open enrollment.
SPECIALTY PEDIATRICIAN: Some specialty pediatricians who see United and Cigna patients do not accept Peachcare. If your child sees a Specialist on a regular basis you should contact their office to see if they accept Peachcare. If not, please contact our office to determine if there is another Specialist in the area who accepts Peachcare.
MEDICATIONS: Some medications that are covered under United and Cigna are not available under Peachcare. If your child takes medication regularly (for Asthma, ADHD or another condition) you should contact Peachcare to see if that medication is available under their coverage. If not, please contact our office so we can try to determine if there is an equivalent medication that is covered under Peachcare.
THERAPY: Some therapy (physical, occupational and speech) providers who accept United and Cigna do not accept Peachcare. If your child currently receives therapy you should check with that provider to see if they accept Peachcare. If not, please contact our office so we can try to determine if there is an equivalent therapist in the area who accepts Peachcare.
We will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding your current SHBP (United or Cigna) coverage and changing to Peachcare.
Thank you
Important change in CAR SEAT POLICY from the American Academy of Pediatrics
Toddlers and even older children may have to get used to some new seating arrangements in the car, according to new child passenger safety recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The group is revising its advice and recommending that parents keep infants and toddlers in rear-facing car safety seats until age 2 or when they physically outgrow the limits of the seat. In addition, they recommend that when children 2 or older reach the maximum weight or height for a forward-facing seat with a harness they transition to sitting in belt-positioning booster seats until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years old. Once they have outgrown the booster seat, the guidelines say all children under 13 should still ride in the back seats of the car.
Georgia Postpartum Support: A free service for new moms
A new group has been formed to help with postpartum depression. We are excited to let you know about a new partnership that Mental Health America of Georgia (MHA of Georgia) is launching with CafeMom, the leading website for mothers, reaching 6 million moms each month. As part of the Project Healthy Moms initiative, MHA has worked with CafeMom to create a unique online support group for local mothers suffering from postpartum depression and other perinatal mood disorders.
You can visit the new group, Georgia Postpartum Support, here:
http://www.cafemom.com/group/110851
The group will be a central place online where moms in Georgia can meet each other, ask for advice, and find support for their mental health struggles. The group will also feature a weekly live chat facilitated by Amber Koter-Puline, an Atlanta-area support group leader and prominent postpartum depression blogger. The first chat was held on August 11, 2010.
We hope this partnership between MHA of Georgia and CafeMom helps to provide new moms the support that they need in their journey towards recovery. In Georgia, it is estimated that every year about 20,000 women experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. Unfortunately, these illnesses are not on the public health radar screen. Consequently, there are very few providers with specialized training in this area and only one consistent live support group in the entire state. The online Georgia Postpartum Support group is one step towards closing this gap in services.
Breastfeeding Your Baby
Jodi Greenwald, MD, has written a short and helpful guide to breastfeeding. You can download her report here.
CAMP and SPORTS Physicals:
It is time to think of scheduling your child's camp or sports physical. Requirements are different, so be sure to check the form you have to see if it requires a yearly check up. Our schedule is open through mid-August. Pat Musto, our nurse practitioner, sees patients for check ups late on Wednesdays with the last appointment being at 6:30pm. Schedule your check up early and avoid the rush. Also, if your child is up to date and does not require a physical this year, remember that we do require 72 hours to complete your form as the doctor has to review and sign the form.
North Fulton Pediatrics Vaccine Policy Statement
At North Fulton Pediatrics, we feel that vaccinating children and adolescents is a vital part of our responsibility to promote health and well-being. We believe in the safety, effectiveness, and necessity of vaccines to protect children against serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses.
Based on numerous studies and years of research, we feel that the development of autism is not related to vaccinations or to any preservative that may be used in the manufacturing of vaccines.
We strive to follow the recommended vaccine schedule as proposed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Although we may be willing to alter the recommended schedule if there are significant parental concerns, this goes against our medical advice and against expert recommendations.
As advocates for the health of children, we strive to educate you about the safety and importance of vaccinating your children. We encourage you to read about vaccines and to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about them. Recent recommendations require us to have you sign a “Refusal to Vaccinate” form at every check-up in the event that you do not want your child to have any vaccinations OR you wish to alter the schedule to delay any vaccinations. If your child’s immunizations are not up to date, we will be unable to provide the state-required immunization forms for school or daycare
Please understand that we will discuss vaccines with you at every well child visit. If you are firmly against vaccinations or you feel that you do not want to discuss this important health topic, then our practice may not be the best fit for you and your family.
We thank you for taking the time to review this statement. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns regarding vaccines.
Sincerely,
The providers of North Fulton Pediatrics
Updated Weekend Call Policies
If your call is of a medical necessity and you need response before the office next opens, please read the following:
Patients on Blue Cross Blue Shield, please call their nurse advice line at 1-888-724-2583
Patients on Wellcare, please call the Wellcare nurse advice line at 1-800-919-8807
For physicians and all other patients, please call 770-429-7170.
Requests for prescription refills should be discussed during regularly scheduled business hours so we have access to your child's chart. You may request refills via this website after hours and they will be reviewed the next business morning. Prescriptions called in after normal business hours may incur a charge from our office.
If you have questions about how to dose Tylenol and Motrin, please review your previous check up handouts or review the information on this website.