What does the Medical Home Team do for my child?
The Medical Home team is your child’s team. They provide your child with the care he or she needs, when it’s needed. We customize that care to meet your child’s needs and your expectations. We help you set appropriate health goals for you child and work with you to help your child meet them. We will spend enough time with you to answer any questions you have, so you understand what you need to do to help your child successfully meet their goals. We help you understand all options for care, so you can decide what care is best for your child. And we will always treat you with the respect you deserve: as a full partner in your child’s healthcare.
What type of services does my Medical Home provide?
We provide comprehensive, compassionate, and continuous care for all of our patients
Same-day appointments
Preventive care and physicals (health risk assessments, sports, and school physicals)
Chronic disease management (asthma, ADHD, and more)
Acute care for illness and injuries
Well child visits, screenings, and vaccinations
24/7 phone access to your care team
Online electronic access to your medical records
Referrals to specialists and mental health providers
Management of multi-specialty care plans, including mental health
Will my Medical Home help my child stay healthy?
The care you receive in a Medical Home goes beyond the office visit with the primary care provider.
We want to help you set goals for your child’s care and overall health, and help you meet those goals one step at a time
We want to encourage you to fully participate in recommended preventive screenings and services
We will recommend tools and education materials you can use to manage your child’s health
We will give you information about classes, support groups, or other types of services to help you learn more about your child’s chronic condition(s) and staying healthy
We will provide you with information about resources in your community to help you manage your child’s health and overall well-being
We will provide you with materials and, if needed, appropriate referrals to behavioral health specialists to help your child make and sustain healthy changes
How can the Medical Home help if my child needs
to see a specialist or go to a hospital?
Your medical home team will coordinate your child’s care with other health care providers. If you need a recommendation for a quality specialist, we can help you find one. We will work with those specialists and the hospital to continuously plan and manage your child’s care.
With your consent, the medical home team will inform specialists and hospitals about your child’s medical conditions and your preferences for care. In addition, we will follow up to obtain information after a specialty visit or hospital stay. We will also follow up with you to make sure your child is getting the care he or she needs, and that you understand the plan of care.
Can my Medical Home help me when I have an emergency?
If you have a medical emergency, please dial 9-1-1.
For other clinical problems or medical advice, call your Medical Home first. We may be able to save you an expensive and inconvenient trip to the emergency room! Depending on the nature of the problem, it might be best addressed by your child’s primary care doctor. We offer same-day appointments and are available 24/7 for advice by phone.
If you do go to the emergency room, please make sure you let the staff know who your primary care provider is, and ask that they contact us as soon as possible, so we can help them take better care of your child.
What can I do to help my Medical Home team take better care of my child?
Understand that you are a full partner in your child’s health care
Learn about your child’s condition, and what you can do to keep him or her as healthy as possible
As best you can, follow the care plan that you and your medical team have agreed is important for your child’s health
Do your best to communicate with your Medical Home team
Tell us all about your child’s health and medical history, and the health history of your family
Bring a list of questions to each appointment. Also, bring a list of your child’s medicines, including any vitamins or herbal remedies.
If you don’t understand something the doctor or other member of your medical home team says, ask them to explain it in a different way.
If you get care from other health professionals, always tell your medical home team so they can help coordinate for the best care possible.
Talk openly with your care team about your experience in getting care from the medical home so they can keep making your care better.
How do I access the Medical Home?
We offer convenient same-day and next-day appointments, after-hours phone access, and extended hours.
Monday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
To make an appointment, call (904)491-0177 or visit our website: firstcoastpeds.com
For clinical advice and all other matters, please call (904) 491-0177. We respond in a timely manner to your phone calls.
For all urgent matters, you may contact us by phone at any time. For all non-urgent matters, general information, or to make an appointment, please call us during normal business hours.
How do I transfer records to the Medical Home?
We will need your consent to obtain your child’s medical records from any previous primary care providers or from specialists your child has seen in the past. Consent forms are available from the front desk and on our website. You can also call during business hours if you need extra copies sent to you.
Can my child be in a Medical Home if we don’t have health insurance?
We accept many insurance plans and in some cases cash patients. Call us to discuss your particular situation. Once your child becomes a patient in our practice, we provide the same access and care regardless of your health insurance status.
Depending on your financial situation, you may be eligible for government subsidies to buy private health insurance, or your child may be eligible to enroll in Medicaid.
For more information and useful tools to check your eligibility, visit Healthcare.gov or ask one of your care team members for assistance. Additionally, please visit the Florida Department of Children and Families ACCESS website for information about assistance programs http://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/
What else can I do to help my child stay healthy?
Here are some educational resources and tools you can use to help your child stay healthy in between visits. We can also provide additional resources during your visit.
HealthyChildren.org: A resource library from the American Academy of Pediatrics, here you will find information on growth, development, and healthy living for newborns through young adults
MouthHealthy.org: This website is sponsored by the American Dental Association and includes topics from teething to proper brushing to dental emergencies.
MyPlate.gov: Everything your child eats matters. The right mix now can help them be healthy now and in the future. My Plate offers ideas and tips to create a healthier eating style.
cdc.gov/vaccines: The Centers for Disease Control has a page dedicated to providing accurate, up-to-date information about vaccines, vaccine safety, and the recommended immunization schedule