Well Exams Are Important for a Child’s Healthy Development
Well-child exams monitor developmental milestones and screen for any physical or emotional concerns. They provide an opportunity for your pediatrician to check your child’s growth and development and to partner with you on ways to keep them healthy. Staying on track at every age with regularly scheduled well-child visits is the best way to ensure you stay ahead of any concerns.
Book a Well Visit
Metro patients can schedule a well-child appointment online. New patients are also welcome to book their first visit online, and we’ll contact you to complete a few forms before you arrive. If you prefer to talk with one of our friendly schedulers, give us a call at 833-PDX-KIDS.
What to Expect at a Well-Child Exam
- You may be asked to complete health screeners so your pediatrician can better understand your child’s developmental progress.
- A physical exam may include checking weight, height, head circumference, heart rate, blood pressure, and reflexes. Your provider will also examine your child’s eyes, ears, nose, throat, and other areas of the body.
- Your healthcare provider may ask questions about your child’s eating and sleeping habits, as well as any concerns you have about their development.
- Topics related to behavioral health and mental wellness may also be discussed.
- Some health insurance plans do not cover certain well-child screenings recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Please check your coverage benefits and call us if we can answer any questions.
Learn more about Metro Pediatrics’ optional medical chaperone program for sensitive exams.
What to Expect by Age Group
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends specific screeners and vaccinations for each age. Stay up to date on immunizations, which are the best way to prevent common but serious childhood illnesses.
What is Routine Well-Child Care?
We follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Bright Futures recommendations for pediatric preventive care, which include:
- Newborn state screening: Checks for 40+ rare disorders that can cause serious health issues or death if not treated early. Learn more at the Northwest Regional Newborn Screening Program.
- Dental varnishing: Topical application of fluoride to help prevent tooth decay.
- Developmental screening: Checks whether your child’s development is typical for their age.
- Lipid panel: Checks cholesterol and fat (triglyceride) levels.
- Hearing screening: Checks for hearing problems.
- Hemoglobin: Checks for anemia (low iron).
- Immunizations: Routine vaccinations to protect against serious illnesses.
- Lead level: Checks for lead exposure.
- Reproductive health: Health education surrounding the reproductive system.
- Resilience: Discussion and support for emotional and social well-being.
- STI/HIV screening: Checks for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
- Vision screening: Checks for vision problems.
What preventive care is covered by my insurance?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires most health insurance plans to cover a set of preventive services at no cost to patients. These services for children include:
- Alcohol, tobacco, and drug use assessments for adolescents
- Autism screening for children at 18 and 24 months
- Behavioral assessments for children
- Bilirubin concentration screening for newborns
- Blood pressure screening for children
- Blood screening for newborns
- Depression screening for adolescents beginning routinely at age 12
- Developmental screening for children under age 3
- Dyslipidemia screening for all children once between 9 and 11 years and once between 17 and 21 years, and for children at higher risk of lipid disorders
- Fluoride supplements for children without fluoride in their water source
- Fluoride varnish for all infants and children as soon as teeth are present
- Gonorrhea preventive medication for the eyes of all newborns
- Hearing screening for all newborns; and regular screenings for children and adolescents as recommended by their provider
- Height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) measurements taken regularly for all children
- Hematocrit or hemoglobin screening for all children
- Hemoglobinopathies or sickle cell screening for newborns
- Hepatitis B screening for adolescents at higher risk
- HIV screening for adolescents at higher risk
- Hypothyroidism screening for newborns
- PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) HIV prevention medication for HIV-negative adolescents at high risk for getting HIV through sex or injection drug use
- Immunizations for children from birth to age 18 – doses, recommended ages, and recommended populations vary:
- Chickenpox (Varicella)
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP)
- Haemophilus influenza type b
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Inactivated Poliovirus
- Influenza (flu shot)
- Measles
- Meningococcal
- Mumps
- Pneumococcal
- Rotavirus
- Rubella
- Lead screening for children at risk of exposure
- Obesity screening and counseling
- Oral health risk assessment for young children from 6 months to 6 years
- Phenylketonuria (PKU) screening for newborns
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention counseling and screening for adolescents at higher risk
- Tuberculin testing for children at higher risk of tuberculosis
- Vision screening for all children
- Well-baby and well-child visits
To receive these services at no cost, you must see a healthcare provider who is part of your insurance network. If you choose a provider outside your network or receive preventive care that isn’t 100% covered, you may be responsible for some or all of the costs. For more details on your plan’s coverage, please contact your insurance company.
Your Primary Care Provider and Medical Home
When you enroll with Metro Pediatrics for an initial well-child visit and continue with scheduled visits, your insurance plan considers our clinic your medical home. This is where you will see your primary care provider for the continuity of care needed to stay healthy.
We also provide you with 24/7 access to your health records, including visit summaries and immunization history.
Sports Physicals
Oregon schools require a physical exam and a provider-signed OSAA form before an athlete can play team sports. Annual well-child exams meet these physical requirements and are 100% covered by most insurance plans.
If your child has had a checkup at Metro Pediatrics within the last year, we will complete the OSAA form for you at no additional charge.