If you plan on transferring your child's care from Stepping Stone Pediatrics TO another office, please complete this form.
If you need a copy of a Washington State Certificate Immunization Status, please complete this form.
Are We A Good Fit For Your Family?
It is crucial when choosing a primary medical home for your children that you have given serious consideration to the fit between our clinic's philosophies and your own. Excellent care can only be accomplished when our philosophies regarding medical care are aligned with your family priorities and philosophies, and only then shared decision-making can be made on mutual respect.
Please read the following checklist carefully to be sure Stepping Stone Pediatrics is the appropriate primary medical home for your children. We look forward to meeting you and forming a mutually rewarding relationship.
Topics
Vaccines
Our Philosophy & Procedures
Our vaccine policy strictly follows the schedule outlined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
We do not provide or endorse vaccine exemption based on personal or philosophical beliefs (this includes for religious reason), nor are we able to care for children who are unvaccinated. Simply put, our office does not complete, sign or endorse vaccine exemption form of any kind.
On occasions, we work with families who are actively working toward a fully-vaccinated status under strict vaccine catch-up schedule/plans and an agreement that is mutually agreeable between your family and our providers.
Antibiotics & Other Prescription Medications
Our providers are committed to uphold antibiotic stewardship at its core. We work hard to not overuse antibiotics. We educate families on appropriate use of antibiotics, but follow evidence-based guidelines and don’t automatically treat ear pain or a green snotty nose with antibiotics.
Antibiotics and other prescription medications cannot be prescribed without sound clinical assessment and diagnosis, and cannot be done over phone, secure text message, or secure portal message. We will prescribe an antibiotic when we believe it is an appropriate treatment, and it will only be done through an appropriate office or telehealth visit.
Office Hours
We make every effort to meet the needs of our patients, offering both routine well visits and sick visit appointments. In most cases, our patients are able to be seen within the 1-2 business days, if not on the same day or the next day.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, certain clinic protocols are in place to ensure safety.
We do not accept walk-ins. We offer online scheduling system that can be accessed 24/7 through our website. You may also request an appointment through the portal system, or by calling our office at 425-941-9540. Please note that our providers' availabilities are identical across all platforms, therefore you are welcome to schedule your appointment using one of the above methods that is most convenient to you.
During Business Hours
In order to ensure quality, uninterrupted care for our patients, our providers are unable to answer phone calls during business hours. If you have a question that is directed to one of our providers, please utilize the patient portal. This portal is checked by our providers throughout the day.
After Business Hours
We offer a paging service to one of our on-call providers during after hours. You will be asked to leave a message with your name, your child's name and a brief message regarding your concern. The issue will be triaged by our on-call provider.
Please note that on-call provider service is strictly reserved for urgent and emergent issues that cannot wait until business hours. Our providers reserve the right to triage your calls appropriately. We cannot make a diagnosis or prescribe medications over these after hour calls. Further, our providers also reserve the right to convert your call into a telehealth visit when necessary.
We ask that you refrain from placing multiple calls and pages, as it hinders our ability to return your call.
For issues that cannot wait until triaged by our on-call provider, you are welcome to seek care at a local urgent care (or emergency room solely for emergent issues).
Insurance
It is your responsibility to know the limits and coverage of your particular health insurance policy, to show your cards to us at each visit, and be prepared to pay any copays at the time of service.
Health issues and concerns discussed during a well child (preventive) visits may be subject to billing as an additional office visit. We never intend for you to be surprised by a bill, but must always bill your health plan based on federal and insurance guidelines/laws and the actual services provided. You may also be asked to schedule an additional visit on a different day so we are able to adequately address all of your questions and concerns.
Our billing staff will do their best to assist you with insurance questions; however, If you have questions about your coverage, it is best check with your specific insurance company.
Timeliness & Missed Appointments
Our practice makes every effort to run on time with appointments, as we believe everyone’s time is equally valuable. As a courtesy, we will remind you of your upcoming appointments via phone/text message/email.
We ask that you arrive strictly on time at your scheduled appointment time.We understand sometimes things happen beyond your control that may cause you to be late. However, we reserve the right to ask you to reschedule if you arrive 15 minutes or later for your appointment.
Missed appointments ("no show") are costly to our office, to you, and to other patients who could have been seen in the time set aside for you.
We will assess a fee for canceled or missed appointments. We request 12 hours notice for cancellation of appointments.
The third consecutive missed appointment will result in discharge from the clinic.