FAQs

Is West Side Pediatrics accepting new patients?

WSP is currently only accepting the following types of new patients while we work on hiring more providers: Newborns with private insurance and siblings of current patients who have private insurance. Once we have a full roster of providers, we will be open to more types of new patients again. Please call the office to make sure that we have a contract with your insurance plan.

Which insurances does West Side Pediatrics accept?
We accept most of the major insurance plans. However, there are constant changes with insurance, so please call the office to be sure.

What if I do not have insurance?
You can still be a patient without insurance with the understanding that you are responsible for your child’s medical bills. If you are interested in applying for insurance through the HealthCare Marketplace, go to www.healthcare.gov. Before choosing an insurance please contact us to make sure it is one that we accept.

Can I meet the doctors before my child is born?
Absolutely! Just call the office and tell the receptionist that you would like a prenatal appointment with one of our doctors. During this visit, we will answer any questions that you have about our practice or your new baby!

Can I see the same doctor every time?
Since well checks are scheduled in advance, you can request to see a certain doctor each time. Since sick visits are usually scheduled same-day, you may need to see a different doctor if the doctor you request is not available. At West Side Pediatrics, we work as a team to take care of our patients!

Is it easy to get an appointment for a sick child?
Yes! Our goal is that sick children be seen on the same day that you call for an appointment.  In addition to normal business hours, we offer evening hours Monday through Thursday in both offices, and weekend hours on Saturday in the Delhi office.

Are there any walk-in hours?

We are no longer able to offer walk-in appointments due to our COVID-19 related infection control policies. 

Can I see the same doctor every time?
Since well checks are scheduled in advance, you can request to see a certain provider each time. Since sick visits are usually scheduled same-day, you may need to see a different provider if the provider  you request is not available. At West Side Pediatrics, we work as a team to take care of our patients.

How often does my child need a well check?
Babies need well checks at birth, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, 24 months, and 30 months of age. After that, your child should be seen yearly from age 3 years to 21 years. Early on, children get immunizations at most visits, but as they get older, they only need periodic boosters.

The current checkup schedule with immunizations is:

Birth (most hospitals) – Hepatitis B #1
1 month – Hepatitis B #2
2 months – Pentacel #1 (DTaP, Polio, HIB), Rotateq #1, Prevnar #1
4 months – Pentacel #2 (DTaP, Polio, HIB), Rotateq #2, Prevnar #2
6 months – Pentacel #3 (DTaP, Polio, HIB), Rotateq #3, Prevnar #3
9 months – Hepatitis B #3
12 months – Prevnar #4, Hepatitis A #1
15 months – MMR#1, Varicella #1
18 months – Pentacel #4 (DTaP, Polio, HIB), Hepatitis A #2
24 months – Nothing unless catching up
30 months – Nothing unless catching up
3 years – Nothing unless catching up
4 years – MMR #2, Varicella #2
5 years – Quadricel (DTaP, Polio)
6 year – 10 year visit – Nothing unless catching up
11 year visit – Tdap, Gardasil, Menactra (meningitis) #1
12-15 year visit – Nothing unless catching up
16 and older – Menactra #2, Bexsero #1 (meningitis type B)

This seems like a lot of vaccines. Are they all really necessary?
The schedule above has been extensively studied and has been shown to be safe and effective in preventing serious illness and saving lives.

Can I get my flu shot at West Side Pediatrics?
Absolutely! We will let you know in the fall (through secure messaging) when our flu vaccine supply arrives.

I need my sports participation form signed. Do I need a well check?
If your well check was conducted within the past 12 months, but was not conducted within the time frame that your school or team requires, (ie, some programs require that the physical examination be completed after a certain date), we are providing Sports Physicals or Pre-Participation evaluations on a self-pay basis for $40.00.  Since insurances cover only one wellness exam in a 365 day period, we offer these sports physicals on a self-pay basis for your convenience. 

My child gets a physical at school. Is that enough?
NO. A sports clearance physical is done solely to determine if you can safely play sports, which is only one of the components of a checkup. Growth, development, vaccinations, nutrition, review of past and current health concerns, family history of illness, and a complete physical are all part of the annual checkup.

I need my work permit signed. Will I need a well check?
In order to have a work permit signed, you will need to have had a well check within the past 12 months.

How long can my child come to the pediatrician’s office?
We graduate our patients to an adult physician on their 21st  birthday. 

How do I reach the office with an after-hours medical problem?

We employ an after-hours Nurse Triage service. Call the main number (513-922-8200) and follow the prompts on our answering message to reach this service. The Nurse Triage service can provide medical advice for urgent medical questions, but do not have access to your child’s medical records and cannot schedule appointments. We also have a WSP doctor or nurse practitioner on back-up call every night for any concerns that the Nurse Triage service cannot answer sufficiently. If your concern is not urgent or you need to schedule, cancel or change an appointment, please wait until the office opens at 8:15 AM to call.

Can I email questions to the doctors or nurses?
Yes, through our secure, HIPAA-compliant patient portal, which can be accessed here. This portal allows you to electronically communicate securely with your provider or one of our nurses for non-urgent medical questions.

Why aren’t I getting text or email reminders?

We have migrated to a new electronic medical record system (EMR). You may need to re-set your notification preferences in the new patient portal (My Kid’s Chart). If you need help, please call the office to have one of our staff update this setting for you. We are also using a new text notification system. Please be sure to text: wspcincy to 622622. This will unblock our number so you can receive texts.

How do I get prescriptions refilled?
The best way to get a prescription refilled is to request a refill directly through the patient portal. If you do not have a portal account, you can call our office for assistance to set up an account.  If you choose not to use the portal, you can call our office or your pharmacy to initiate a refill request. The provider will review your chart to ensure that a refill is appropriate.  The provider will then approve the refill or contact you with further instructions.  In some cases, the provider may need to see you before refilling your medication.  In most cases, you will need to have had a well check within the last year to have medicines refilled.