Policies

I acknowledge that during my wellness visit, there may be a problem-oriented service performed by a Blue Moose Pediatric practitioner in addition to the wellness services. In this case, I understand that two separate charges may be submitted to my insurance company and that, when applicable, a co-pay/deductible/co-insurance may be required for charges generated pertaining to problem-oriented services.

Alternatively, I understand I may choose to return for a separate visit to address problem-oriented issues, at which time, my co-pay/deductible would still apply.

When our office is closed overnight and you have an urgent issue that cannot wait until morning, you can visit the on call group of Montana Pediatrics at montanapediatrics.org for telehealth consults from Montana pediatric providers. Create a free account and speak with a provider after hours (6pm-7:30am on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends)" The provider on-call will give you advice regarding your child's problem.

You may wish to check the "Is Your Child Sick?" section of our website for helpful information before using this service. 

IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL 911 AS THIS IS NOT AN EMERGENCY LINE.

Emergencies are considered to be those conditions that are life-threatening: loss of consciousness, severe bleeding, seizure, etc. In the case of minor emergencies (lacerations, cuts, mild fractures, sprains), please call our office first for instructions.

SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE

HELP IS AVAILABLE 24/7 - CALL 988

To help provide timely service to our patients, we prefer to schedule all visits. If you are later than 10 minutes for your appointment, we will try to work you back into the schedule, or perhaps offer an appointment to you with another provider.

Out of courtesy to our other patients, we may be forced to ask you to reschedule your appointment.

• We firmly believe in the effectiveness of vaccines to prevent serious illness and to save lives.

• We firmly believe in the safety of our vaccines.

• We firmly believe that all children and young adults should receive all of the recommended vaccines according to the schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP).

• We firmly believe, based on all available literature, evidence, and current studies, that vaccines do not cause autism or other developmental disabilities.

• We firmly believe that thimerosal, a preservative that has been in vaccines for decades and remains in some vaccines, does not cause autism or other developmental disabilities.

• We firmly believe that vaccinating children and young adults may be the single most important health promoting intervention we perform as health care providers, and that you can support as parents/caregivers.

The recommended vaccines and the schedule of administration are the results of years and years of scientific study and data-gathering on millions of children by thousands of our brightest scientists and physicians.

The vaccine campaign is truly a victim of its own success. It is precisely because vaccines are so effective at preventing illness that we are even discussing whether or not they should be given. Because of vaccines, many of you have never seen a child with polio, tetanus, whooping cough, bacterial meningitis, or even chickenpox, or known a friend or family member whose child died of one of these diseases. Such success can make us complacent or even lazy about vaccinating. But such an attitude, if it becomes widespread, can only lead to tragic results.

Over the past several years, many people in Europe have chosen not to vaccinate their children with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine after publication of an unfounded suspicion (later retracted) that the vaccine caused autism. As a result of under-immunization, there have been small outbreaks of measles and several deaths from complications of measles in Europe over the past several years. The United States experienced a record number of measles cases during 2019, with 1282 cases from 31 states reported to CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases(NCIRD). This is the greatest number of cases since measles elimination was documented in the U.S. in 2000.

As medical professionals, we feel very strongly that vaccinating children on schedule with currently available vaccines is absolutely the right thing to do for all children and young adults. We are making you aware of these facts not to scare you or coerce you, but to emphasize the importance of vaccinating your child. We are more than willing to discuss any questions you may have about vaccines, but do require all new patients to our practice to adhere to the vaccination schedule endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP).