Financial & Office Policies

Updated May 2026

Welcome to our practice. We are pleased that you have chosen us to care for your children. Please take a moment to review our office policies.

Payment Policy

Discovery Pediatrics accepts patient payments via cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the time of service. We require a valid credit or debit card to remain on file. Card information is stored securely by our payment processor and is not accessible to office staff once entered.

Insurance Participation

We participate with many insurance carriers and will submit claims as a courtesy. If we do not participate with your insurance plan, or if you do not have insurance coverage, payment is due at the time services are rendered.

After your insurance company processes your claim, any remaining patient responsibility, including deductibles, coinsurance, or non-covered charges, may be charged to the payment method on file.

Copayments

Copayments are due at the time of service. Any unpaid copayment may be charged to the card on file. Insurance contracts prohibit routine waiver of copayments.

Medical Records

Written requests for medical records require 5–7 business days for processing. A $20 fee applies for standard records requests. Additional fees may apply for complete chart requests.

After-Hours Telephone Consultations

Our providers are available for urgent medical concerns after regular office hours. Certain insurance carriers reimburse telephone consultations and may be billed when appropriate. Patients are not directly billed for these services.

Referrals

Please allow at least three business days for referral processing. Referrals cannot be backdated. Patients are responsible for understanding referral requirements under their insurance plans.

School, Camp & Sports Forms

Forms are typically completed within 5–10 business days. An annual form-processing fee of $40 applies. Expedited completion within 24 hours is available for an additional $15 fee.

Non-Covered Services

Certain services may not be covered by insurance, including administrative fees, missed appointment fees, ear piercing, travel consultations, and select vaccines. Fees for these services will be discussed prior to treatment and are due at the time services are provided.

Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective January 1, 2025

Federal and state laws require us to maintain the privacy and security of your health information. This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can access this information.

Our Commitment to Privacy

All physicians, providers, and employees of Discovery Pediatrics maintain the confidentiality of your personal and medical information. Information may be shared when necessary for treatment, payment, healthcare operations, or as otherwise permitted or required by law.

How We May Use or Disclose Information

• To coordinate care with specialists, therapists, hospitals, laboratories, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers.
• To obtain payment from insurance companies and healthcare benefit administrators.
• To comply with state and federal reporting requirements.
• To support healthcare operations and quality improvement activities.

Communications

We may contact you regarding appointments, test results, referrals, billing matters, or other aspects of your care using the phone numbers, email addresses, or mailing addresses you provide.

Insurance & Billing

We may contact your insurance carrier to verify eligibility, benefits, deductibles, coinsurance obligations, or authorization requirements. Information necessary for payment collection may be provided to collection agencies or credit reporting entities when permitted by law.

Your Rights

• Request access to your medical records.
• Request corrections or amendments to your medical record.
• Request an accounting of certain disclosures.
• Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures.
• Revoke prior authorizations in writing when permitted by law.

Changes to This Notice

We reserve the right to modify our privacy practices and update this notice as necessary to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

Questions or Complaints

If you have questions about our privacy practices, please contact our office at (301) 681-7020.

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.