Category: News

Dear Valued Patients,

We hope this message finds you in good health. At Anderson Hills Pediatrics, we appreciate your trust in us as your pediatric healthcare provider. Our commitment is to provide you with the highest level of care and service.

We wanted to inform you about an important update regarding our billing and payment process. Starting June 1, 2024, we are implementing a change in our card-on-file policy. This change is designed to streamline and simplify the payment process.

What does this mean for you? It means that we will securely store your credit card information on file, and any applicable charges related to your healthcare services will be automatically billed to this card after your insurance company has processed the claim. This change will eliminate the need for you to provide payment information for each bill, making your experience with us more convenient.

Please rest assured that your sensitive payment information will be stored securely and in compliance with all industry standards for data security. Your privacy and security are of utmost importance to us.

If you have any questions or concerns about this change, please do not hesitate to contact our Practice Administrator at (513) 232-8100.  We are here to assist you and address any inquiries you may have.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we implement this change. We look forward to serving you and meeting all your healthcare needs.

Sincerely,

Anderson Hills Pediatrics

Commonly Asked Questions

Practice Financial Policy

Dear Anderson Hills Families,

I hope this email finds you well and enjoying May, whether it be the many events, celebrations,  or the conclusion of school and the transition to summer.

As we approach that time of year when many patients need sports physicals or sports forms completed, I want to emphasize the importance of scheduling your child’s annual check-up or sports physical with your primary care doctor here at Anderson Hills Pediatrics.

Did you know the sports physical examination is part of your child’s yearly well-care visit or check-up? Your health insurance covers these exams and rarely requires any out-of-pocket expense. Seeing your primary care doctor allows for a deeper understanding of the medical history, facilitates effective monitoring of certain health conditions, and provides screening for important behavioral and mental health concerns. Beyond that, we carefully monitor your child’s growth and pubertal development, conduct a thorough physical examination, update required immunizations, and provide necessary screening tests, including labs or referrals. The quality of care provided by your primary care physician at Anderson Hills Pediatrics exceeds that of a group sports physical, a free school physical, or a quick physical performed at a retail-based clinic. Visits performed in this manner are rarely thorough, often lacking complete histories, parental involvement, communication with the primary care doctor, and consideration of other important aspects of a child or teen’s health.

Again, as a pediatrician, I underscore the importance of an annual check-up or sports physical at your medical home. At Anderson Hills Pediatrics, we strive to provide and believe in quality preventive care that is accessible to your family. In addition, we hope to instill a habit of health maintenance in your child or teen that will last a lifetime. As we approach our check-up and sports physical season, ensure that your child or teen is scheduled for or has completed a yearly check-up at Anderson Hills.

Sincerely,
Dr. Jaime Grubert

Need to schedule? You can schedule online using the links below, your patient portal, or by calling (513) 232-8100.

• Anderson Location 
• Amelia Location 

Understanding & Managing ADHD: A Group Program for Parents of Children Ages 6-12

Join us for our new program that focuses on educating parents about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and its effects on children’s daily behavior. Vanessa Sinclair, LPCC-S, provides parents with current information and specific strategies to tackle common challenges faced by children with ADHD. Additionally, the program teaches parents how to advocate for their children effectively. The overall aim is to enhance parent-child interactions, reduce family stress, and empower parents to better manage their child’s ADHD, helping the child succeed. This approach is beneficial alone or alongside medication management, leading to improved outcomes for the family.

Program Details:

• Dates: Every Monday for 8 weeks (July 1- August 19, 2024)
• Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• Location: Anderson Hills Pediatrics, 7400 Jager Ct., Cincinnati, OH 45230

Who is This Program Designed For:

The program is designed for parents of children aged 6 to 12 years who are diagnosed with ADHD. Your child will not attend the parent group session.

It focuses on real-world strategies that parents can use to help their child succeed in various settings, including home, school, and public places. It equips parents with the tools they need to manage their child’s behavior effectively, acknowledging that children with ADHD may understand what is expected but struggle to consistently follow through.

Topics Covered:

• Understanding ADHD and its impact on a child’s day-to- day functioning
• Principles to guide the effective management of ADHD
• Using positive attention to promote desired behaviors
• Promoting child compliance to instructions and rules
• Prompting and promoting desired behaviors
• Structuring Homework for success
• Working with a child’s teacher to address problems in the classroom
• The appropriate role of punishment in managing ADHD-related behaviors
• Managing child behavior in public places
• Maintaining positive change over time

What’s Involved in Attending?

This program consists of eight 90-minute group sessions which are held on the same day each week at our Anderson location. We have limited space, and can accept the caregivers of 12 patients.

Will my Insurance Cover It?

Most health plans cover multi-family group therapy services, but families may still be responsible for any deductible or co-payments. After you sign up, a member of our billing team will contact you with information about your insurance coverage. If you would like to contact your insurance company in advance, the CPT codes that will be billed are 96202 and 96203.

Register Today!

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and strategies from a seasoned professional in a supportive group setting.

Space is limited, so we encourage you to sign up ASAP to request your spot! Request to join by completing this REQUEST FORM.

This program was developed by and is in partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. 

As trusted healthcare providers, we at Anderson Hills Pediatrics are dedicated to the well-being of your children, and we wanted to take a moment to emphasize the importance of infant immunization.

In observance of Infant Immunization Awareness Week, we aim to reaffirm the critical role that vaccines play in safeguarding the health of our youngest patients. Immunizations are a shield against preventable diseases and a cornerstone of modern medicine’s success in protecting children from serious illnesses.

Check out this brief video about infant immunization from Dr. Renuka Jain.

Ensuring that your child receives their recommended vaccines on schedule is one of the most important steps you can take to protect their health. By following the vaccination schedule recommended by our pediatricians, you protect your child and contribute to our community’s overall health.

We understand that, as parents, you may have questions or concerns about vaccines. Please know that we are here to address any doubts or uncertainties you may have. Our team of experienced healthcare providers is committed to providing you with accurate information and guidance to help you make informed decisions about your child’s health.

At Anderson Hills Pediatrics, we are deeply grateful for your trust and partnership in the health of your children. We believe in the power of prevention, and vaccination is one of the most effective preventive measures available. By working together to ensure that all children receive their recommended vaccines, we can create a safer and healthier environment for our community.

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.