Are We a Good Fit?

At iCare Pediatrics, we follow the recommended immunization schedule outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). These guidelines are based on the most current research and are designed to protect children from serious and preventable diseases.

However, we understand that vaccination is a personal decision. Our practice is pro-choice when it comes to vaccinations. While we strongly recommend following the CDC/AAP schedule, we do not force or pressure parents to vaccinate their children.

Instead, we are committed to educating families, answering questions, and providing the most accurate information available so that you can make informed choices for your child’s health.

If you have concerns about vaccines, we encourage open and respectful conversations during your child’s visit. Our goal is to partner with you in making the best healthcare decisions for your family.

At iCare Pediatrics, we are committed to responsible and evidence-based antibiotic use. We work hard to avoid the overuse of antibiotics and take the time to educate families on when they are truly necessary.

We follow the latest clinical guidelines and understand that:

• Not all ear pain, coughs, or green nasal discharge require antibiotics
• Many illnesses in children, especially viral infections, resolve on their own without antibiotics

We do not routinely prescribe antibiotics over the phone, as a proper diagnosis requires an in-person evaluation. When an antibiotic is the appropriate treatment, we will absolutely prescribe it and ensure you understand how and why it’s being used.

Our goal is to provide your child with safe, effective care while reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance and unnecessary side effects.

At iCare Pediatrics, we are committed to providing comprehensive, continuous care and serving as your child’s trusted medical home.

To ensure the best outcomes, we ask that you contact our office first before seeking care from a specialist or visiting an urgent care clinic. This allows us to:

• Determine if we can treat your child in our office,
• Refer you to the most appropriate specialist, and
• Coordinate your child’s care every step of the way.

If your child does see a specialist, please request that their office send a report directly to us. This helps us stay informed, ensures your child’s medical record is up to date, and supports safe, well-coordinated care.

Our goal is to be an active partner in your child’s health—from routine check-ups to complex care needs.

At iCare Pediatrics, we pride ourselves on delivering efficient, high-quality care through the use of modern technology. Our goal is to make your experience as seamless and convenient as possible.

To support this, we encourage all families to:

• Visit our website for helpful resources, forms, and practice updates
• Register for and actively use our patient portal to request refills, send secure messages, view lab results, and manage appointments
• Take advantage of our automated reminders for upcoming visits, immunizations, and routine care needs

By using these tools, you’ll stay informed and connected, helping us work together to keep your child healthy and on track.

If you need help getting started with any of our digital tools, our staff is happy to assist you!

At iCare Pediatrics, we strive to meet the needs of all our patients by offering both routine well visits and same-day sick appointments. While we do accept walk-in visits when necessary, please note:

• Walk-ins are seen in the first available sick visit slot
• Scheduled appointments will always be seen first
• Walk-in patients may experience longer wait times

To help us provide you with the most efficient and timely care, we highly recommend calling ahead to schedule an appointment—even for same-day sick visits.

We also encourage you to review our office hours in advance to ensure they align with your family’s needs. Our goal is to offer care that is both accessible and convenient, while maintaining the highest standard of service.

If you have any questions about scheduling, our team is here to assist you!

WAt iCare Pediatrics, your child’s health is our top priority—day or night. That’s why we have a provider on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

If you have an urgent concern after office hours that cannot wait until morning, please call our main number. The on-call provider will return your call and provide medical advice regarding your child’s condition.

Before calling, you may find it helpful to visit the “Is Your Child Sick?” section of our website, which offers guidance on many common symptoms and illnesses.

To learn more about how we support your family outside regular office hours, please read our full After-Hours Care policy.

We’re here for you—anytime you need us.

At iCare Pediatrics, we want your experience with us to be smooth and stress-free—including when it comes to billing and insurance.

Before your visit, please make sure we participate with your insurance plan. It is your responsibility to:

• Know the limits and coverage of your specific health insurance policy
• Present your insurance card at every visit
• Be prepared to pay any copays at the time of service

Our billing staff is happy to assist with general insurance questions, but for detailed coverage information, it’s best to contact your insurance provider directly. We want to help you avoid surprises, but please understand that we are required to bill your insurance based on federal guidelines and the actual services provided.

We currently accept the following insurance plans:

• Medicaid Plans: Texas Children’s Health Plan, Molina, Wellpoint, Superior
• Commercial Plans: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, Aetna, Oscar

For more detailed information about coverage, billing, and payment expectations, please review our Financial Policy.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our office—we’re here to help!

All insurance copays are due at the time of service. This is a requirement of your insurance plan and helps us keep our billing process efficient and accurate.

If you are unable to pay your copay at the time of your visit, you must contact our billing department prior to your appointment to discuss your situation and set up a payment plan.

We are happy to work with families to find a reasonable solution, but advance communication is essential. Thank you for helping us maintain smooth operations so we can continue to provide high-quality care to all our patients.

For acute or sick care, please call our office to speak with our triage staff. They will listen to your concerns and determine the best next steps—either by scheduling an appointment or offering advice. In some cases, an in-office visit may not be necessary, and our team will guide you accordingly or consult with the provider and return your call.

If our triage nurse is assisting another family, you may be asked to leave a message, and your call will be returned as soon as possible.

For well visits, please call our routine appointment line.

Well-child visits may be scheduled up to 1 year in advance.

You will receive an automated reminder approximately 3 months before your child is due for their next well visit.

Automated reminders are also sent for upcoming vaccinations your child may be due for.

Our goal is to ensure timely and efficient care for your child—whether they’re sick, growing strong, or staying on track with preventive care.

At iCare Pediatrics, we make every effort to run on time with appointments because we believe everyone’s time is equally valuable. As a courtesy, you will receive reminders via phone, text message, or email before your scheduled visit.

Arrival Expectations

We kindly ask that you arrive at least 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.

We understand that delays can happen. However, if you arrive late, we reserve the right to reschedule your appointment to ensure we can maintain our schedule and serve all families efficiently.

Missed or Canceled Appointments

Broken or missed appointments affect not only our practice but also other patients who could have been seen during that time. Therefore:

We require at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment.

A $10.00 no-show fee will be charged for missed appointments without proper notice.

A fee may also be charged for the first missed appointment for new patients.

After a second missed appointment, a fee will be applied.

Three consecutive missed appointments may result in dismissal from the practice.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us provide timely, high-quality care to all of our patients. If you have any questions about our policies, please feel free to contact our office.