Our focus is the wellbeing of your child(ren).
Please make decisions regarding treatment of your child (vaccinations, medications, referrals, circumcision etc.) prior to the appointment. Either parent or legal guardian can schedule an appointment for their child, be present for the visit, and/or sign for release of the child’s medical records. Any restrictions on parental involvement in the child’s care must be clearly presented via a court issued document. *See section "Requests for a parent to be removed" below for more information. Unless legal documentation is provided, we cannot limit the other parent’s involvement in the child’s care. If 50/50 custody agreements are silent on medical care decision making it is suggested that both parents seek modification to their agreement to provide clear direction for medical offices as to managing the patients’ medical care. Dismissal from further treatment from our practice may occur if agreement remains silent and/or if conflicts occur.
Split Family Policy (Online Version)
- It is recommended that both parents have their own Patient Portal account, so that each has access to their child’s medical information.
- Payment (co-pays, deductibles, etc.) is due at the time of service regardless of which parent is responsible for medical expenses. We are not a party to your divorce agreement. We will collect payment due from the parent who brings the child to the visit. If the divorce decree requires the other parent to pay all or part of the treatment costs, it is the authorizing parent’s responsibility to request reimbursement from the other parent.
- Either parent/legal guardians can sign for permission to treat. This means other persons (grandparents, nannies, step or other parent etc.) are authorized to bring your child to our practice and can consent for treatment during that visit. There may be instances where it is required that a parent or legal guardian must consent for treatment.
- Step parents married to a biological or legal parent are not considered legal guardians unless there is something in place from the other biological parent that gives up guardianship rights of the child, such as legal adoption.
Requests for a parent to be removed or denied access must be:
- Submitted In writing via portal, mail or in person.
- Accompanied by legal documentation with reference to the page(s) that contain the information that substantiates the request.
- Once received, these documents will be sent for legal advice.
Additionally, EPPC providers and staff cannot:
- Initiate a call to the non-attending parent before or after a child’s visit for
- consent prior to treatment
- to inform the other parent whenever visits are scheduled
- to communicate care information
- Tolerate appointment scheduling/cancelling patterns of behavior between parents.
- Prevent another parent from making demographic account changes unless legally specified.
