We understand that family changes like separation or divorce can be challenging. While we empathize with the difficulties these transitions bring, our primary focus remains solely on your child’s medical needs. To best advocate for children, we will remain impartial and will not engage in parental disputes.
Parents must communicate directly with each other regarding their child’s care. Our office will not discuss legal issues or mediate disagreements between parents.
Our Policy
Metropolitan Pediatrics follows all legal orders and requires official documentation of such, especially concerning parental rights related to medical care and information sharing.
- Unless court documents state otherwise, we will presume parents share joint custody of their children and have equal rights to access medical records and make decisions about care.
- We will not mediate or participate in disputes between parents.
- We reserve the right to discharge families from our practice if disagreements interfere with the delivery of care for the patient or become hostile toward Metropolitan Pediatrics employees or providers.
General Expectations
We encourage parents to prioritize their child’s well-being. We know these situations are difficult, but cooperation is essential to support a child’s health and emotional needs. Our shared priority is ensuring children receive the care they deserve.
- Any restrictions on parental involvement in your child’s care must be clearly presented via a court-issued document supplied to Metropolitan Pediatrics.
- Before appointments, parents are expected to make decisions regarding their child’s treatment (e.g., vaccinations, medications, circumcision).
- Either parent or legal guardian can schedule an appointment, be present for the visit, access records, and/or sign for the release of your child’s medical records, unless legal documentation specifies otherwise.
Billing & Copays
- Payment (copays, deductibles, etc.) is due at the time of service, regardless of which parent is responsible for medical expenses.
- We will collect payment from the parent who brings the child to the visit.
- If a divorce decree requires the other parent to pay all or part of the treatment costs, it is the authorizing parent’s responsibility to collect from the other parent. Metropolitan Pediatrics will not bill or collect from the other parent.
Accompanying Your Child to Visits
Parents are responsible for coordinating who is authorized to accompany their child to appointments.
- Either parent may authorize a non-parent (such as a stepparent, grandparent, or partner) to accompany their child to an appointment.
- Without legal documentation stating otherwise, we cannot restrict an authorized adult from attending.
Document Signing
- Either parent or legal guardian can sign Metropolitan Pediatrics documents, including permission to treat, financial policy, genetic research consent, and more.
Medical Information
- Unless specifically stated otherwise in legal documentation, either parent can access their child’s health information/medical records following applicable privacy rules.
- We recommend both parents have their own patient portal account to access their child’s medical information.
- After age 14, the teen may decide if they wish to grant proxy portal access to either parent.
Communication
- Metropolitan Pediatrics is not responsible for sharing visit information with each parent separately and will not contact the non-attending parent after visits.
- Appointment reminders will be sent to the primary phone number and/or email address on file. This automated process cannot be customized per appointment or withheld at a parent’s request.
- Either parent may communicate with our teams through the patient portal; however, those communications will likely be visible and accessible to any other parent/proxy with portal access.
- Portal messages should relate to the medical treatment or medical questions about the child. They should not be used to send disparaging information about the other parent or to dispute care. Parents should use alternative communication methods (outside of the medical record) to address and resolve any disagreements about their child’s medical care.
Parental Disputes
- Our providers and staff will not mediate or participate in disputes between parents.
- If disagreements interfere with care or disrupt our office, we reserve the right to discharge a family from our practice.