+ WHAT TYPE OF INSURANCE DO YOU ACCEPT?
We do accept the following insurances: Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, NM medicaid, Molina, Presbyterian, Western Sky, True health, Humana and United Health Care. We may also accept other uncommon carriers that are not included here, so please contact us if you have any other carries that are not listed above.
We do ask that you confirm coverage with your insurance carrier prior to your visit
+ HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MY FIRST APPOINTMENT?
Please arrive 15 to 20 minutes early in order to fill out forms and make the best use of your appointment. Also, please take time to download and complete the registration forms located on our website in the comfort of your home, while your child/children are asleep.
If you are transferring from another facility, please make sure you bring a copy of the immunization records with you.
+ WHAT IF I AM GOING TO BE LATE FOR MY APPOINTMENT?
Please call our office if you are going to be late or cannot keep your appointment. We can assist you with rescheduling. We view our relationship as a partnership. Your part of the partnership is to arrive on time or call and cancel or reschedule if you are unable to keep your appointment.
If you are unable to keep your appointment please notify us at least 24 hours in advance or as soon as possible so other patients who may need to be seen can be accommodated.
+ HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I SCHEDULE MY NEXT WELL CHILD APPOINTMENT?
If you have a new baby you should call the office the day you’re discharged from the hospital to schedule an appointment. We would like to see your newborn baby 2-4 days after discharge.
Children between 0 and 2 years old are seen every 2-3 months for regular visits. It is best to book your next well visit as you are leaving the office.
Children over the age of 2 are seen every year. The best way to remember when your next visit is due, is to book your next well visit the same month of your child’s birthday.
DO YOU ACCEPT WALK-INS?
Yes we do accept both scheduled appointments and walk-ins.
+ WHO IS ALLOWED TO BRING MY CHILD TO THE OFFICE?
Children less than 18 years old need to be accompanied by a parent, or someone with written permission to accompany the child. If someone other than a legal guardian is bringing your child to our office, we ask that you complete the Authorization of Disclosure of PHI above, and send that form with the child. If for some particular reason your child needs to come to the office by himself/herself, we would be able to see the patient upon written and signed consent from a legal guardian.
Patients who are 18 and older need no accompaniment. All matters discussed, and laboratory studies ordered (and subsequent results) will be between the health care provider and the 18-year-old patient. If you would like to receive information relating to your 18 and up child, he/she must fill out the Authorization of Disclosure of PHI form.
DO YOU SEE BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS?
Yes we can see both children and adults at our clinic. Despite being mainly focused on pediatric medical care, Dr Sherif and his NPs have training in both child and adult medical care. If the adult condition is beyond our zone of expertise we will honestly inform you that you will need to see a different provider.
WHO WILL SEE ME OR MY CHILD AT THE CLINIC?
In more than 90% of the time, Dr Sherif will be the only provider who sees patients at his clinic. In case of vacation, travel for conferences, training’s, meetings or emergencies then you will be seen by one of his well trained NPs or PAs. They all were trained at this office by Dr Sherif. They always discuss the cases with him when he is gone. He reviews all patient notes and makes sure that his patients are well taken care of while he is gone.
DO YOU HAVE THE OPTION OF TELEMEDICINE DOCTOR VISITS?
Yes we do Tele-health visits although we prefer in-person visits.
+ HOW DOES YOUR OFFICE HANDLE SCHOOL / SPORTS / DAYCARE FORMS THAT NEED TO BE COMPLETED?
If the forms are available at the time of a well visit, most forms can be completed before you leave the office. If the form is to be completed at a later date, please allow up to 7 business days for completion.
+ WILL I GET A REMINDER ABOUT WELL VISIT APPOINTMENTS?
Yes, you will receive a reminder via phone call and/or email for upcoming appointments. Please let us know if your phone number changes.
+ DO I NEED TO BRING MY INSURANCE CARD TO EVERY VISIT?
Yes your insurance card is needed to keep your account up to date and accurate.
+ WILL THERE BE A CO-PAY AT EVERY VISIT?
You should check with your insurance company regarding co-pays on routine well child visits and sick visits.
+ HOW DO I KNOW WHAT IS COVERED UNDER MY INSURANCE PLAN?
Most insurance plans provide that information on their website or through their customer service phone number located in the back of your insurance ID card.
+ WHAT IF I DO NOT HAVE MY NEWBORN’S INSURANCE CARD YET?
Please make sure you have informed the insurance company of the baby’s date of birth.
+ WILL I NEED A REFERAL IF THE DOCTOR SENDS MY CHILD FOR TEST OR TO SEE A SPECIALIST?
Each insurance company has different requirements. Please contact your insurance company directly for more information.
+ HOW DO I GET A PRESCRIPTION REFILL?
Non-controlled substances:
Call our office 24 hours prior to the last dose or make a request using our patient portal service. Leave your child’s name, birth date, the name and dosage of medication as well as the name, location and phone number of your pharmacy. Please note that we do not handle prescription refill requests after office hours. It is important to remeber also that we can only refill medications that were prescribed by a provider in this practice.
Controlled substances (eg. ADHD medications, pain killers):
Call at least 4 days prior to the last pill or login through our patient portal service to make this request
For ADHD medications almost all insurance companies limit the prescription to a one month supply. Children must be seen at least every 4 months to monitor blood pressure, height and weight. Blood work is obtained yearly.
+ WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR DR SHERIF TO BE LISTED AS MY PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN (PCP)?
If your insurance requires a PCP and Dr Sherif is not listed as such, this may result in the charges being denied by your insurance. You will then be responsible for all dates of service.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE ASKED FOR MY ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER EVERTIME I COME TO THE CLINIC?
It is common for people to change their phone numbers or their address and forget to inform their doctors. If this happens we may not be able to contact you in case we get an abnormal lab test result or if it is a health related emergency or if we try to return your call or to answer any of your questions. So please always update us with your contact information.