Important Things To Take To Urgent Care When Your Child Needs To Be Seen
Sometimes, life's little health-related emergencies happen when physician's offices are closed. Parents often struggle with the thought of taking their little ones to the nearest Emergency Department due to the traumatic experiences their small children may be subjected to, such as people who are brought in for severe motor vehicle accidents.
Fortunately, urgent care facilities are gaining in popularity across the nation. However, there is one important difference that you will need to be aware of when taking your young child to an urgent care facility — intake paperwork. Here are a few items to take with you to speed up the intake process.
Your Photo ID, Insurance Card, and Co-Pay
Most urgent care facilities will not be able to bill health insurance without an insurance card and a photo ID, such as a driver's license, employment badge, or a military ID card. They will also ask for a co-pay, so be sure to have that available as well. Of course, most people carry these items with them wherever they go; however, it's easy to forget when you are in a rush to get your child to an urgent care facility, especially if they are screaming or crying inconsolably.
Most urgent care facilities will see patients without a photo ID and insurance card, but that usually results in being required to pay for the examination and treatment up front and in full. If, however, you do not have health insurance, you will be required to pay upfront for the examination and treatment. If you cannot afford to do so, ask the facility if they will allow you to set up a payment plan, if they have reduced rates for cash payments, or if they have a sliding pay scale for people with lower incomes.
Medical Records and Medications
To help in diagnosing what is wrong with your little one, you will be asked a lot of questions and, likely, will need to fill out an extensive form. If you have any recent medical record information, such as print-outs given to you after the most recent check-ups or other pediatrician's office visits, take those with you as well. The attending physician will be able quickly read through the previous records, which may help them reach a diagnosis.
It's also important to take along any and all prescriptions, over the counter medications, and supplements that your child takes. This will help the physician avoid dispensing a prescription that may counteract with something your child is already taking. It also helps them to determine whether or not something your child is taking may be causing their symptoms, such as side effects or an allergic reaction.
