Scheduling
Hours: 7:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. (Mon. – Fri.)
One of our doctors is on call after hours 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. We can be reached at 727-345-2212. We schedule 15 minute appointments for sick children and 30 minute appointments for well children. Please let the receptionist know if you think you will need additional time with the doctor.

Our Privacy Policy
Our patient privacy policy is posted in our waiting room. This Health Insurance and Portability and Accountability Act went into effect 9/23/13 and explains in what way your records are held confidential. Each child’s chart must have your signed privacy policy in it. Please direct any concerns regarding the privacy of your child’s medical records to our Privacy Officer, Kevin M.

After Hours Calls
After hours, our main phone number (727-345-2212) is forwarded to our answering service. The operator will send your call information to the cell phone of our doctor on call. Sometimes the pages do not go through or a phone number is entered incorrectly, so please call back if you have not received a return call within a reasonable amount of time. We are available for after hours emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our office is closed for Good Friday, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas and the day after Christmas and New Year’s Day. However, one of our doctors is always on call to meet any after hours needs which arise for your family.

Please use after hour calling for emergencies only. Prescription refills are done during regular office hours only. The on-call doctor does not take messages for the office, make or change appointments, or give lab results. Further, the answering service cannot take messages for the office – they can simply page the doctor to help you with your emergency.

If the on call doctor determines that your child needs a prescription called in after hours, it is the policy of this practice that your child be seen the next business day to ensure that your child is thoroughly examined and being appropriately treated.

Co-Payments/Deductibles/Patient Responsibility
Co-pays are your contract with your insurance company. They are due on the date of service. If a co-payment is not received within 24 hours of your appointment, it will be subject to a $40 late fee. Your insurance may require that a co-pay be collected anytime you present for care – including weight checks, re-checks, vaccines, and lab work in the office. FYI: If your insurance has changed, please inform us when you check-in. It is not always possible for us to go back and bill a visit to a different insurance which would potentially make you responsible for that charge.

It is our policy to require all practice families to keep a credit card on file with us.  Your payment is your contract with your insurance company and with us.  To ensure you only pay the amounts required by your insurance plan, we will be happy to charge your credit card when the exact amount is provided by your insurance company.  This is also used for any applicable fees you have incurred.  Your credit card information will be kept confidential and secure.  Charges to your credit card will only be made after the insurance company pays its portion.

Co-ordination of Benefits
Sometimes insurance companies withhold our payment of a claim when they are waiting to receive a response from you regarding any additional insurance coverage or proof of previous insurance coverage (to determine coverage for any preexisting condition). When you receive a letter from your insurance company, please respond promptly so that you will not become individually responsible for your bill.

The Waiting Room
We make every effort to see your sick child the same day that you call. As such, and especially during cold and flu season, this may result in your waiting to see the doctor. We apologize for any inconvenience, but please know that we will be thorough and caring for every patient – however long that takes. We have two or three doctors working each morning and afternoon to serve you and your family. You are able to help keep things running smoothly by scheduling appointments for all children you would like seen, rather than scheduling one and asking questions regarding others. Adding on patients who we weren’t expecting to see can contribute to your wait time, as well as the wait time of those with scheduled appointments. We respect your time and want your experience with our office to be a good one.

Missed Appointments
We make every effort to call and remind you of your scheduled appointments. If you are unable to keep your appointment, kindly let us know so that we can help you to reschedule and be sure that your child is doing better. Missed appointments, without the courtesy of a telephone call 24 hours prior to that appointment , will result in a $50 missed sick appointment charge or $100 missed well visit charge. Due to staffing costs, it is necessary to charge a $200 missed double well appointment charge and $300 missed triple appointment of any kind charge with NO EXCEPTIONS.

Prompt Pay Discounts
Dr. Lori offers her services at a reduced fee for those patients without insurance or with financial hardship. This discount is only available on the date of service. Failure to pay at the time of service will result in her usual and customary charge. Similarly, there is a $50 charge for denied credit cards and for checks with insufficient funds. We are unable to hold checks beyond the date they are presented.

Referrals
After one of our doctors refers you to a specialist, please let us know the scheduled date of that visit (at your earliest convenience) so that the doctor can forward a letter introducing your child to the specialist and that our office can arrange any required authorizations. We will need at least 48 hours notice to guarantee that your authorization for outside services or referral to a specialist is complete or your appointment may need to be rescheduled. If you are unsure whether you need an authorization number, please call our office.

Family Disruption
Separation, divorce, or loss of a loved one or pet, all take their toll on little lives. Please let our office know if your family is going through any change which you are worried might adversely affect your child’s health. We will be happy to talk to your children or refer you for family counseling.

Call Backs
One of our receptionists will answer your call. You will always be offered a same day appointment. If you have a question for the nurse, she will take or return your call as soon as she is available. The doctors will return calls at the end of the morning and the end of the afternoon. When time allows, all sick patients will receive a follow-up phone call the next day to ensure they are doing better and to answer any questions or clarify any medical care plans. As a reminder of your appointment with us, you will receive an automated text message, email, or voice call two days prior to your appointment.

Well Visits
All children must have an up to date physical for their age before any refills, booster vaccines, or form completions can be provided. Further, the Affordable Care Act requires that a patient’s annual physical be up to date or the physician is not in compliance with the law. It is our policy to require a well physical with any recommended vaccines for every child every year.

Immunizations
It is our policy that all of our practice families follow the American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Vaccine Schedule for their children.   We believe that vaccinating children and young adults is one of the most important health-promoting interventions we can perform as health care providers and you can perform as a parent or caregiver.  Routine childhood immunizations have resulted in a tremendous decline in serious infections, disability and death.  Unfortunately, these illnesses are still present in the United States and other countries, and are often just a short plane ride away.

Vaccines are extensively studied and are monitored for safety by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The research includes testing on new vaccines with existing vaccines given at the same time for effectiveness and side effects.  In addition, monitoring continues after vaccine approval and release. The vaccine schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the CDC provides immunity and protection at an age when the child is susceptible to preventable disease.  We encourage all parents and caregivers to vaccinate their children on time, according to the recommended schedule.  Parents who refuse vaccinations are referred to the Infectious Disease Specialist to have their concerns addressed and are asked to find a pediatrician who agrees with their decision to delay/decline life-saving immunizations.

Discrimination is Against the Law
Lori McAuliffe MD PA complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Lori McAuliffe MD PA does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
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