Philosophy

We believe in preventive health care, immunizations, and stress the importance of routine health visits as well as sick visits to help detect any possible growth problem or disease process in your child. We also believe that you, as the parent, know your child best, and we respect and value any concerns or worries that you may have. At the foundation of the relationship we hope to develop is one of mutual trust. We have only the best interests of your child’s health in mind.

Hospitalization

Our newborns at Northside are seen by Neonatal Associates. If your baby is born at a different hospital the staff pediatrician there will check your baby. We will see your new arrival at our office at one week of age. Children requiring hospitalization will be admitted to ChiIdren’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston or Scottish Rite through Doctor Direct. These Physicians specialize in hospital care and assist us in providing the best care for your child.

Prescriptions

To avoid misdiagnosis and to ensure your child’s safety, it is our policy not to call in antibiotic prescriptions for patients who have not been recently seen. For patients who do not appear to be responding to prescribed medication for all routine prescription refills, we request that you call during regular office hours, when we can best take care of you.

Financial

Due to frequent changes in health insurance coverage, we require that you provide proof of insurance coverage at each visit. If you do not have insurance, are unable to provide proof of insurance coverage, or are on a plan in which we do not participate, full payment is required at the time of your visit.

All co-payments are due at the time of service. These fees cannot be waived. All co-pays not collected at the time of service will incur a $15 billing fee. Please be aware that some services provided may be non-covered services and not reimbursable by your insurance. You are personally responsible for these services. For your convenience we accept cash, check, Visa/Master Card (including debit cards), and Discover.

If we are a participating provider, we will file your insurance for each visit. Should there be a dispute with your insurance company, our insurance department will attempt to resolve it for you. During this time, the balance may be transferred to your responsibility. Please note that your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company, therefore, your balance is your responsibility.
Financial arrangements for large balances can be made through our payment program. Failure to resolve any past due accounts, including returned checks will result in referral to a collection agency. Any family whose account is forwarded to a collection agency will be dismissed from our practice.

Cancellation Policy

Missed appointments for routine/preventive care are very disruptive to our office and deprive others from an appointment to see the doctor. Twenty-four (24) hour cancellation notification is required to avoid the $50 charge.

Medical Records

Requests for transfer of medical records will incur an administrative fee of $20 for paper and $15 for CD. An immunization record can be provided at no charge for active patients.

Referrals

Because of the large number of referral requests, it has become necessary to request that you provide us at least 72 hours prior notice to complete the referral. This extra time will provide for the prolonged turnaround time in obtaining the approval from the insurance company and ensure payment to the specialist.

Telephone Triage

Telephone consultation is a very important aspect of pediatrics - it can prevent unnecessary visits to the office and provide you much needed comfort and help in caring for your child. During office hours, we ask that you leave a message on the nurse line. if you feel that you have an urgent problem, you may want to indicate this in your message. Otherwise the nurse will return these calls by the end of the business day.

Please be advised that after hour phone calls to the nurse or physician that are of a non-urgent manner may incur a 10 dollar charge which may not be paid by your insurance company.  We urge you to utilize our nurse phone line during normal business hours for non-urgent matters: refills of medicines, dosages of over the counter medicines, what to do for non-emergent medical issues.

Vaccine Policy

We believe in the effectiveness and safety of vaccines to prevent serious illness and to save lives.

We believe that all children and young adults should receive all of the recommended vaccines according to the schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

We believe, based on all available literature, evidence and current studies, that vaccines do not cause autism or other developmental disabilities. 

Please see our full vaccine policy and more vaccine sources.

Forms for Dr. Vincent Ho

Please download and fill-out these forms prior to your first visit with Dr. Vincent Ho. It will provide you more time to spend with our doctor during the appointment. Click here to download forms.