Author: Anderson Hills Pediatrics

We are approaching the time of year in which many of our patients are needing forms completed for school registrations and sports. We want this process to go as smoothly as possible for you and your family this year. Below are a few tips to help you get your child’s visits and necessary forms completed timely this year.

Before we jump into our tips, we want to encourage you to sign up for our Patient Portal. It is a great way to communicate, send and receive your forms, access vaccine records anytime, update demographic information, and self-schedule appointments.

Scheduling:

We encourage you to be proactive and schedule your child’s annual checkup before the start of school and sports. Our schedules get filled very quickly in the summer for these appointments, so scheduling early helps to ensure you have an appointment when you need it.

One consideration to keep in mind is that insurance companies have policies regarding how often children can complete their annual check-ups. Most require the check-ups to be one year apart from one another. We encourage you to check with your insurance company on this guidance to ensure no surprise bills occur.

Did you know that your child’s checkup is good for 1 year? If you have forms that can be filled out prior to their next regularly scheduled check-up date, the information can be completed based upon their last visit with no additional trips to our offices.

Ways to Prepare for your Visit or Forms:

We encourage you to confirm with your child’s school or child care provider what required vaccines, health records, or forms are needed in advance of your child’s check-up. This will allow us to complete all information your child needs to have completed in one visit.

We ask that the parent or patient portions of the forms be fully completed prior to you submitting a form to us. This includes information such as the patient’s name, date of birth, and any other parent or student information. Also, please be sure to sign all applicable fields for parents and students. We will not complete forms for patients that have not had a check-up within the past 12 months.

Timelines:

Please allow 3-4 business days for our team to complete your forms. This will allow the physicians to have enough time to review, fill out, and complete the forms. If there is a need for a form to be completed sooner, the office policy is to charge a $5.00 expediting fee to have the form completed in 1-2 business days. The fee is due at the time the form arrives in the office. (Multiple forms can be filled out for the $5.00 fee as long as it is the same patient and the forms are dropped off and picked up at the same time.)

We look forward to helping you and your children get prepped and ready for their next daycare, school, or sports events!

Thank you for trusting us with your care!

Parenting can be overwhelming, especially when juggling multiple responsibilities alongside the well-being of your children. To help you navigate this journey with less stress, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of 51 proven stress reducers. From simple morning routines to effective relaxation techniques, these tips aim to empower you to cultivate a healthier and more balanced family life. We hope you find these strategies valuable in reducing stress and enhancing your parenting journey.

1.  Get up fifteen minutes earlier in the morning. The inevitable morning mishaps will be less stressful.
2. Prepare for the morning the evening before. Set the breakfast table, make lunches, put out the clothes you plan to wear, etc.
3. Don’t rely on your memory. Write down appointment times, when to pick up the laundry, when library books are due, etc. (“The palest ink is better than the most retentive memory.”-Old Chinese Proverb)
4. Doing nothing which, after being done, leads you to tell a lie.
5. Make duplicates of all keys. Bury a house key in a secret spot in the garden and carry a duplicate car key in your wallet, apart from your key ring.
6. Practice preventive maintenance. your car, appliances, home and relationships will be less likely to break down/fall apart “at the worst possible moment.”
7. Be prepared to wait. A paperback can make a wait in a post office line almost pleasant.
8. Procrastination is stressful Whatever you want to do tomorrow, do today; whatever you want to do today, do it now.
9. Plan ahead. Don’t let the gas tank get below one-quarter full. Keep a well-stocked emergency shelf of home staples. Don’t wait until you’re down to your last bus token or postage stamp to buy more, etc.
10. Don’t put up with something that doesn’t work right. If your alarm clock, wallet, shoe laces, windshield wipers, whatever are a constant aggravation, get them fixed or get new ones.
11. Allow 15 minutes of extra time to get to appointments. Plan to arrive at an airport one hour before domestic departures. Allow 15 minutes of extra time to get to appointments. Plan to arrive at an airport one hour before domestic departures.
12. Always set up contingency plans, “just in case.” (“If for some reason either of us is delayed, here’s what we’ll do..” Or, “If we get split up in the shopping center, here’s where we’ll meet.”)
13. Relax your standards. The world will not end if the grass doesn’t get mowed this weekend.
14. Pollyanna-Power! For every one thing that goes wrong, there are probably 10 or 50 or 100 blessings. Count’em!
15. Ask questions. Taking a few moments to repeat back directions, what someone expects of you, etc., can save hours. (The old “the hurrieder I go, the behinder I get,” idea).
16. Say “No!.” Saying “no” to extra projects, social activities, and invitations you know you don’t have the time or energy for takes practice, self-respect, and a belief that everyone, everyday, needs quiet time to relax and be alone.
17. Unplug your phone. Want to take a long bath, meditate, sleep, or read without interruption? Drum up the courage to temporarily disconnect. (The possibility of there being a terrible emergency in the next hour or so is almost nil). Or use an answering machine.
18. Turn needs into preferences. Our basic physical needs translate into food, water, and keeping warm. Everything else is a preference. Don’t get attached to preferences.
19. Simplify, simplify, simplify…
20. Make friends with non-worriers. Nothing can get you into the habit or worrying faster than associating with chronic worrywarts.
21. Get up and stretch periodically if your job requires that you sit for extended periods.
22. Wear earplugs. If you need to find quiet at home, pop in some earplugs.
23. Get enough sleep. If necessary, use an alarm clock to remind you to go to bed.
24. Create order out of chaos. Organize your home and workspace so that you always know exactly where things are. Put things away where they belong and you won’t have to go through the stress of losing things.
25. When feeling stressed, most people tend to breathe in short, shallow breaths. When you breathe like this, stale air is not expelled, oxidation of the tissues is incomplete and muscle tension frequently results. Check your breathing throughout the day and before, during and after high pressure situations. If you find your stomach muscles are knotted and your breathing is shallow, relax all your muscles and take several deep, slow breaths. Note how, when you’re relaxed, both your abdomen and chest expand when you breathe.
26. Writing your thoughts and feelings down (in a journal, or a paper to be thrown away) can help you clarify things and can give you a renewed perspective.
27. Try the following yoga technique whenever you feel the need to relax. Inhale deeply through your nose to the count of eight. Then with lips puckered, exhale very slowly through your mouth to the count of 15 or for as long as you can. Concentrate on the long sighing sound and feel the tension dissolve. Repeat 10 times.
28. Inoculate yourself against a feared event. For example, before speaking in public, take time to go over every part of the experience in your mind. Imagine what you’ll wear, what the audience will look like, how you will present your talk, what the questions will be and how you will answer them, etc. Visualize the experience the way you would have it be. You’ll likely find that when the time comes to make the actual presentation, it will be “old hat’ and much of your anxiety will have fled.
29. When the stress of having to get a job done gets in the way of getting the job done, diversion (a voluntary change in activity and/or environment) may be just what you need.
30. Talk it out. Discussing your problems with a trusted friend can help clear your mind of confusion so you can concentrate on problem solving.
31. One of the most obvious ways to avoid unnecessary stress is to select an environment (work, home, leisure) which is in line with your personal needs and desires. If you hate desk jobs, don’t accept a job which requires that you sit at a desk all day. If you hate to talk politics, don’t associate with people who love to talk politics, etc.
32. Learn to live one day at a time.
33. Every day, do something you really enjoy.
34. Add an ounce of love to everything you do.
35. Take a hot bath or shower (or a cool one in the summertime) to relieve tension.
36. Do something for somebody else. Make a meal for someone who is in need.
37. Focus on understanding rather than on being understood; on loving rather than on being loved.
38. Do something that will improve your appearance. Looking better can help you feel better.
39. Schedule a realistic day. Avoid the tendency to schedule back-to-back appointments. Allow time between appointments for a breathing spell.
40. Become more flexible. Some things are worth not doing perfectly and some issues are well to compromise upon.
41. Eliminate destructive self-talk; “I’m too old to…,” “I’m too fat to…,” etc.
42. Use your weekend time for a change of pace. If your work week is slow and patterned, make sure there is action and time for spontaneity built into your weekends. If your work week is fast-paced and full of people and deadlines, seek peace and solitude during your days off. Feel as if you are not accomplishing anything at work? Tackle a job on the weekend which you can finish to your satisfaction.
43. “Worry about the pennies and the dollars will take of themselves.” That’s another way of saying: take care of the todays as best you can and the yesterdays and the tomorrows will take care of themselves.
44. Do one thing at a time. When you are with someone, be with that person and with no one or anything else. When you are busy with a project, concentrate on doing that project and forget about everything else you have to do.
45. Allow yourself time-everyday-for privacy, quiet, and introspection.
46. If an especially unpleasant task faces you, do it early in the day and get it over with. Then, the rest of your day will be free of anxiety.
47. Learn to delegate responsibility to capable others.
48. Don’t forget to take a lunch break. Try to get away from your desk or work area in body and mind, even if its just for 15 or 20 minutes.
49. Forget about counting to 10. Count to 1,000 before doing something or saying anything that could make matters worse.
50. Have a forgiving view of events and people. Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world.
51. Have an optimistic view of the world. Believe that most people are doing the best they can.

As excitement builds for the upcoming solar Eclipse, we want to ensure your family’s safety during this extraordinary event. Here are five essential safety tips to keep in mind:

1. Eye Protection: You need special solar viewing glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standards. Regular sunglasses will not protect your eyes from the intense solar radiation. Welder’s goggles rated 14 or higher are also safe for viewing a solar eclipse.
2. Solar Filters: If you’re using binoculars, a telescope, or a camera to view the Eclipse, you must use a solar filter on the front of the lens. Do not look through these devices without proper solar filters, as they can magnify the sunlight and cause serious eye damage.
3. Indirect Viewing: If you don’t have access to solar viewing glasses or solar filters for your equipment, you can still enjoy the Eclipse indirectly. One method is to use a pinhole projector or eclipse glasses to project an image of the Eclipse onto a surface, such as a piece of paper or cardboard.
4. Skin Protection: Although the sun may be partially obscured during an eclipse, UV radiation can still be harmful to your skin. If you will be outside for an extended period during the Eclipse, apply sunscreen to any exposed skin to reduce the risk of sunburn.
5. Follow Official Recommendations: Pay attention to any official guidance or recommendations from local authorities or astronomical organizations regarding the safe viewing of the Eclipse. They will provide up-to-date information on the best practices for enjoying the event safely.

We will be open during regular business hours and appointments on April 8th, the day of the solar Eclipse. We also have a limited supply of NASA-approved glasses for patients who have appointments during the Eclipse.

PS… Remember to schedule a check-up or sports physical if your child is due this spring or summer! Appointments are going by quickly, and we want to ensure you get an appointment that meets your needs.

• Anderson Location
• Amelia Location

Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s care!

We hope you enjoy a wonderful spring break and Easter with your child/ children! We’ll be open for regular hours during spring and holiday breaks.

We know life can be busy. As a reminder, please schedule your child’s check-ups and sports physicals with us before our schedule availability is limited.

Regular check-ups are vital for your child’s health and development. Our experienced pediatricians provide comprehensive assessments and preventive care, ensuring your child stays healthy in their growth and development. For more information on check-ups, visit the Check-Ups section of our website.

Use the booking links below or call (513) 232-8100 to schedule an appointment  that fits your busy schedule.

• Anderson Location 
• Amelia Location

Thank you for choosing Anderson Hills Pediatrics for your child’s healthcare needs!

Some children may have been exposed to measles at the Disney on Ice performance last Friday, March 8, 2024. In light of this situation, we want to provide reassurance and guidance to help you navigate any concerns surrounding measles.

Understanding Measles:

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It presents symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, red eyes, and a distinctive rash. Measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and even death, particularly in young children and adults.

Importance of Vaccination:

The good news is that the risk of a fully vaccinated child catching measles is extremely low. The measles vaccine is typically administered as part of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, with the first dose given at 12-15 months and the second dose at 4-6 years. Vaccination protects your child and contributes to community immunity, preventing outbreaks and safeguarding those without immunity.

What to Do if Your Child Was Exposed:

If your child attended the Disney on Ice event and was potentially exposed to measles, monitor them for any signs of illness in the 7-21 days following exposure. Symptoms may include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, red eyes, and a distinctive rash. If your child develops symptoms consistent with measles, please call us immediately for guidance. Inform us about the potential exposure so that we can provide appropriate care and testing if necessary.

While the news of a measles exposure may be concerning, we want to reassure you that by staying up to date on your child’s vaccinations, you provide them with the best possible protection. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to support you.

Anderson Hills Pediatrics is proud to be a locally owned and operated pediatric practice, striving to provide you with the highest level of care and service that is both personalized and affordable. Here is a list of our most frequently asked billing questions.

I received an additional charge for a check-up appointment. My insurance fully covers check-ups. Why am I being billed?

Sometimes, a child needs a service that is not considered preventative on the same day as a well-child visit. In other words, if there is a medical concern that would have normally prompted a separate appointment, it can be added to the check-up visit rather than requiring you to schedule a separate visit. By adding the appointment to a well care visit, our patients save both time and money (as the cost of this type of visit is lower).

Examples of services that may be billed in addition to preventative services include:

• ADHD or asthma follow-up with medication management
• Work-up for fever or illness at the time of the check-up
• Any procedure such as wart treatment, foreign body removal
• Mental health concerns that require extra time to discuss

My bill for a check-up included several screeners that were billed separately from the visit. Why is that not included in the visit, and why am I getting a separate charge for these?

The screeners billed separately from your check-up serve to provide a more thorough evaluation of your child’s health as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Some insurance companies require that we bill for all screeners completed during your child’s visit as separate charges, while others bundle them into the visit charge.

My bill for a COVID, RSV, Strep, or Flu test seems high. Why is that?

Anderson Hills Pediatrics is proud to offer in-office molecular testing for flu, strep, COVID-19, and RSV. Apart from its superior accuracy and comprehensive detection capabilities, molecular testing also offers timely results and is considered the gold standard in pediatric medicine. When other providers offer cheaper testing, it is because they utilize antigen testing instead of molecular testing. An example of an antigen test is the over-the-counter COVID test.

Anderson Hills believes in matching the tests we offer to the highest standard of care to ensure your child receives the correct treatment. This is also the type of testing that Cincinnati Children’s uses. For many patients, these tests are relatively inexpensive. Still, the cost can vary significantly depending on the contractual rate of your specific insurance plan.

If you have any concerns or preferences regarding testing during illness visits, feel free to discuss them with your child’s pediatrician.

I took my child to urgent care for illness, and the visit cost appeared cheaper. Why is that?

While it may seem cheaper to seek treatment at an urgent care center, it’s important to consider the differences in the standard of care provided. Urgent care centers often utilize antigen testing, the over-the-counter type of tests as mentioned above, which tends to be less expensive compared to other molecular testing. Additionally, they commonly employ advanced practice providers (APPs), such as nurse practitioners or physician assistants, who can provide care at a lower cost than physicians.

Additionally, we prioritize comprehensive care that includes a thorough understanding of your medical history. Our detailed pediatric knowledge allows us to tailor treatment plans specifically to your child’s needs, ensuring better medical decision-making. This emphasis on personalized care and utilizing a full patient history results in a higher level of care and, ultimately, better outcomes for our patients.

My child was billed for a “detailed” visit, but they were with the physician for 15 minutes. Is this correct?

Billing for medical services involves more than the duration of the face-to-face visit. It also considers factors such as the complexity of care provided, documentation requirements, risk of treatment, and time spent on a patient’s care outside of the visit itself. Even if face-to-face time seems brief, assessments, medication management, care coordination, follow-up on labs or imaging, and counseling contribute to the overall billing level.

How can I know beforehand how much I can expect to pay for care?

Since the cost of care varies significantly by individual insurance plan, it is important to speak with your insurance carrier about your allowed amounts for visits.

These are common medical codes used:

• Most used Office Visits Codes – These codes are generally used during illness, medication, and follow-up appointments. These codes may also be billed if an additional concern is discussed at an annual check-up.
  • 99213 (Expanded)
  • 99214 (Detailed)
  • 99215 (Comprehensive)
• Flu Test – 87502
• COVID Test – 87635
• Strep Test – 87651
• RSV Test – 87807

Who Should I Call with Questions?

If you have any questions regarding billing or coding for services, please don’t hesitate to contact our billing team at (513) 232-8100 option 5.

As always, it is a privilege to provide care for the children of this community.   We sincerely appreciate your trust and loyalty over the years.

We’ve noticed a rise in flu cases lately and received more flu vaccine requests from our patients. Your health is our priority, and we’re here to meet your needs!

We have released new Flu Vaccine Clinics for the next few weeks. We also have a new opportunity for parents and loved ones to get their flu shot alongside their children!

Clinic Dates:

Amelia Clinic:
January 23rd and 31st: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Anderson Clinic:
January 24th and 30th: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
January 27th: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Seamlessly Secure Your Flu Shot

Use our  web scheduling links for our Anderson and Amelia locations. Parents and family members should choose “New Patient” when scheduling appointments. Alternatively, you can request a flu shot during your child’s upcoming check-up without needing a separate appointment. If you encounter any difficulty finding an ideal appointment slot, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (513) 232-8100, and we’ll gladly explore additional options tailored to your family’s schedule.

As flu cases rise, getting vaccinated safeguards you and your loved ones, including your children. Anderson Hills Pediatrics remains dedicated to your family’s health, prioritizing accessible preventive care.

It appears there may be a chance for winter weather in the Cincinnati area this weekend.  We love that this time of year often leads to building snowmen, sledding, and other fun-filled outdoor activities.

Since inclement weather may occur soon, we wanted to share information on how our offices handle these conditions.

• Communication: We will contact you if we need to cancel your visit due to weather. You may receive notice from us by phone call, text, or email, depending upon the time of day and the number of appointments needing to be canceled. Rest assured, a team member will communicate with you to find an alternative time to visit your pediatrician safely. It is safe to assume we are open if you do not hear from us.
• Social Media Updates:  We will post on our social media sites as soon as we decide to cancel appointments. Please follow our Facebook or Instagram accounts for this and additional health-related information.
• Telemedicine Alternatives: If you are scheduled for select appointments such as behavioral health visits, medication follow-ups, and simple ill appointments, we may offer a virtual visit as an alternative form of care from the comfort of your home. Unfortunately, visits that require a physical exam or testing are not always appropriate for telemedicine.
• Patient Cancellations: Should you have issues traveling to your visit due to inclement weather, we offer the option to cancel at no charge.

Excellent Links for Winter Tips and Fun:

• Playing Outside in Winter: Tips to Keep Kids Warm & Safe
• Winter Car Seat Safety Tips: Keeping Kids Safe & Warm
• Avoiding Dry Winter Skin in Babies and Toddlers

Anderson Hills Pediatrics wants to inform parents about the voluntary recall from Reckitt/ Mead Johnson Nutrition on select batches of Nutramigen Powder, a specialty infant formula for managing Cows Milk Allergy (CMA). This recall is due to potential contamination with Cronobacter sakazakii, though extensive testing showed no presence of the bacteria. Cronobacter can cause severe infections, but no illnesses have been reported.

The affected Nutramigen in 12.6 and 19.8 oz cans were manufactured in June 2023 and distributed mainly in June, July, and August 2023. The recall applies to specific batch codes and can sizes, with UPC Codes of 300871239418 or 300871239456 and a “Use By Date” of “1 Jan 2025”.

If you’ve purchased this product, check the batch number on the can and dispose of it or request a refund. For more information, contact Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition at 866-534-9986 or consumer.relations@rb.com.

For more information, visit the FDA’s summary of the Reckitt/ Mead Johnson Nutrition posting here.

As the holidays approach, we want to express our deepest gratitude for entrusting Anderson Hills Pediatrics with your family’s healthcare needs throughout the year. It has been our privilege to serve you, and we look forward to providing the best care to you and your family in the coming year.

Holiday Hours:

Anderson Location:

December 23rd – 25th & December 30th – January 1st: We will be closed except for a limited number of appointments for urgent needs. Please call our office between 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM to schedule.

Amelia Location:

December 23rd – January 1st: Closed

We understand that medical concerns can arise, even during the holiday season. Please be assured that our dedicated physicians and clinical team will be available by phone at 513-232-8100 for urgent needs 24/7, even when our office is closed for the holidays.

Once again, thank you for choosing Anderson Hills Pediatrics as your healthcare partner. We wish you and your loved ones a joyful and heartwarming holiday season filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments!

Sincerely,

Anderson Hills Pediatrics