A Parent’s Guide to Pediatric Care

As many parents know, kids tend to get sick a lot — especially if they are in daycare or at school. That’s because their immune system is still developing, and they are exposed to many germs every day. The good news is, with each infection, their immune system is building up protection for the future.

That said, it can still be scary when your child is sick if you don’t know where to take them for care. Understanding your options ahead of time can make those stressful moments a little less overwhelming.

Helping Children Stay Healthy as They Grow

When children are young, there are many well-child visits in a short period of time, which can be overwhelming for parents — and the kids, too! However, these routine preventive care visits are a crucial way to support your child’s growth and development.

During these visits, your child's pediatrician will conduct a head-to-toe exam, monitor their health, and address questions about sleep, nutrition, mental health, behavior, learning, and other concerns that may arise as your child grows. Plus, it’s important to build a trusting relationship with your child’s pediatrician to help track changes over time and make it easier to coordinate care if specialists are needed.

Make the Most of Your Child’s Checkups 

Vaccinations are an important part of preventive pediatric care. In partnership with their provider, many families choose to follow the recommended childhood vaccine schedule, which is designed to provide protection when children are most vulnerable to certain illnesses. The American Academy of Pediatrics publishes a childhood vaccine schedule and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also provides recommended immunization schedules.

The Importance of Childhood Vaccines 

Preventive care, including routine well-child visits and recommended vaccinations, is covered at 100% under the Compass Rose Health Plan when visiting a network provider.

Knowing Where to Go When Care is Needed

Pediatrician or Primary Care Provider

Your child’s pediatrician should be the first stop for routine care and most non-emergent health concerns. They know your child and their medical history and can provide personalized care.

For sick visits, your pediatrician may have a walk-in clinic for same-day care. Many pediatricians also have a nurse line for questions, or a portal for telehealth or quick questions via message.

Common reasons to contact your pediatrician include symptoms such as:

• Diarrhea or vomiting

• Cold or flu

• Sore throat

• Fever

• Ear pain

• Changes in behavior or mood

• Sleep concerns

• Growth or developmental concerns

• Questions about medications

When in doubt, contact your pediatrician for guidance.  They can help determine whether your child should be seen in the office, use telehealth, seek urgent care, or recover at home.

Choosing a pediatrician is an important decision. Search our provider directory to find an in-network provider who is accepting new patients and whose office location, hours, and communication options work for your family's needs.

Find a Provider

Telehealth

Telehealth can be a convenient option for many common concerns, allowing you to connect quickly with a provider, from the comfort of home. Your child’s pediatrician may offer telehealth options. In addition, Compass Rose Health Plan members can utilize Doctor On Demand® for 24/7 virtual visits for urgent care and mental health needs.*

Common treatable conditions include:

• Mild cold or flu symptoms

• Rashes  

• Allergies

• Upset stomach, nausea, or diarrhea

Depending on your child's symptoms, the telehealth provider may recommend an in-person visit for further evaluation or treatment.

If your child receives telehealth care for an ongoing concern or needs follow-up care, be sure to discuss with their pediatrician at their next visit to ensure they have a full picture of their health.

Urgent Care

If your pediatrician is unavailable and your child cannot wait for the next available appointment, urgent care may be a good option. They are designed for situations that need care quickly but are not life-threatening. Urgent care often has shorter wait times than the ER and can provide services such as lab tests, x-rays, and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses.

Use urgent care for things like:

• Cold or flu symptoms that are worsening or not improving

• Ear infection

• Rash

• Strep throat

• Minor burns or cuts

• Sprains

Some communities may have pediatric urgent care centers that specialize in treating infants, children, and teens. Search our provider directory to find in-network options near you.

Emergency Room (ER)

If your child is having severe symptoms, take them to the emergency room or call 911 immediately.

ERs are designed to treat serious medical emergencies that require immediate care. Because of this, they are not the best place to go for routine care, due to long waits and higher costs.

Go to the ER if your child is experiencing:

• Seizures

• Difficulty breathing  

• Signs of severe dehydration  

• Severe abdominal pain

• Major injuries, deep wounds, uncontrolled bleeding

• Bluish lips or face

• Extreme lethargy or irritability

• Any other symptom that appears life-threatening or requires immediate medical attention

If your child receives care from an urgent care center or emergency room, consider following up with their pediatrician to discuss any ongoing concerns or next steps.

Cost of Care

Choosing the right place for care can help you manage out-of-pocket costs. In-network preventive care, including well-child visits and recommended vaccinations, is covered 100% under the Compass Rose Health Plan. For non-emergency concerns, your pediatrician or telehealth may be a lower-cost option than urgent care or the emergency room.

See Standard Option Costs 

See High Option Costs   

Find a Provider

Find network providers, specialists, urgent care centers, and other care in your area at compassrosebenefits.com/UHC — no referrals required.

If you have additional questions about the health plan or your care options, call us toll-free at 888-438-9135, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. E.T.