Policies

At Priority Care Pediatrics, we work hard to use antibiotics responsibly and only when they’re truly needed.

We take time to educate families on the appropriate use of antibiotics and follow evidence-based guidelines for every condition. Not all ear pain or green nasal drainage requires antibiotics — in many cases, these symptoms are caused by viruses that get better on their own.

For your child’s safety, we do not routinely prescribe antibiotics over the phone, as an in-person evaluation is often necessary to make the best decision. We will prescribe antibiotics only when we believe they are the most appropriate treatment for your child’s illness.

At Priority Care Pediatrics, we value your time — and the time of every family we serve. We make every effort to run on schedule and appreciate your help in keeping appointments timely and efficient.

Please plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. New patients and those who have not completed pre-registration should arrive no later than 15 minutes before the appointment. 

We understand that unexpected delays can happen, but if you arrive late, we may need to reschedule your visit to avoid delays for other patients.

You’ll receive appointment reminders by phone, text, or email to help you stay on track with upcoming visits.

Missed and Canceled Appointments

Broken or missed appointments create gaps that could have been used to care for another child. We kindly request at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment.

• A fee may be charged for a missed appointment.
• Three consecutive missed appointments may result in discharge from the practice.
• For new patients, a fee may be charged if the first appointment is missed.

We truly appreciate your cooperation — it helps us provide the best care possible to all of our patients while respecting everyone’s time.

At Priority Care Pediatrics, we believe every child deserves compassionate, high-quality care — no matter who they are or where they come from.

We proudly welcome patients and families of all backgrounds, races, ethnicities, religions, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. Our practice is built on respect, kindness, and understanding. We celebrate the diversity of the families we serve and are committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and supported.

Because at Priority Care Pediatrics, every child’s health matters — and every family belongs.

To help us stay on schedule and respect the time of all our patients, Priority Care Pediatrics has a 10-minute late policy. If you arrive more than 10 minutes after your scheduled appointment time, you may be asked to reschedule or wait until the next available appointment.

We understand that unexpected delays happen, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you when possible — but keeping appointments on time helps ensure that every child receives the care and attention they deserve.

Efficiency through the use of technology

You will be encouraged to consult our website, register for and use our patient portal, and effectively use automated reminders for appointments and for routine care/immunizations that are due.

Use of Ambient Listening and AI Technology

At Priority Care Pediatrics, we use ambient listening technology during some visits to help our providers accurately document medical information. This technology securely captures the conversation between the provider and patient and uses AI assistance to generate clinical notes, allowing our providers to focus more on you and your child rather than typing on a computer.

All recordings are HIPAA-compliant, used only for documentation purposes, and are not stored or shared once the note is complete. Your privacy and trust are extremely important to us, and this technology helps us enhance care while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality.

At Priority Care Pediatrics, the health and well-being of our patients, their families, our staff, and our community are our highest priorities. We care for newborns, children with cancer, children with weakened immune systems, and many other medically vulnerable patients who depend on those around them for protection from serious infectious diseases.

Vaccines are one of the safest and most effective tools in modern medicine. They have helped prevent countless hospitalizations, disabilities, and deaths, and they remain an essential part of keeping children and communities healthy. For this reason, our providers follow the immunization recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which are based on decades of scientific research and real-world experience.

Because we believe vaccination is one of the most important ways we can protect children from serious preventable illnesses, all providers at Priority Care Pediatrics have adopted the following immunization policy.

Our Vaccine Policy

To maintain a safe environment for all patients, Priority Care Pediatrics requires patients to receive recommended childhood immunizations according to the AAP schedule.

• Immunizations should begin at the first well-child visit.
• Patients are expected to remain reasonably up to date with recommended vaccines and well-child visits.
• Families with questions or concerns about vaccines are encouraged to schedule a dedicated visit to discuss them with their provider.

Medical Exceptions

We recognize that some children have legitimate medical reasons that may prevent them from receiving certain vaccines. Our providers will review these situations individually and may approve medical exemptions when appropriate.

Examples may include:

• Severe allergy to a vaccine or vaccine component
• Certain immune system disorders or treatments
• Temporary illness requiring vaccine postponement
• Vaccine supply shortages or availability issues
• Other medical conditions recognized by established vaccine guidelines

When vaccines are delayed for medical reasons, we will work with families to safely resume immunizations as soon as appropriate and follow recommended catch-up schedules.

Influenza, COVID-19, and HPV Vaccines

Influenza, COVID-19, and HPV vaccines are strongly recommended by our providers because of their proven ability to prevent serious illness. At this time, these vaccines are not required for continued care within our practice.

Alternative Vaccine Schedules

Priority Care Pediatrics does not follow alternative or delayed vaccine schedules. We believe the recommended immunization schedule provides the best protection for children and is supported by extensive scientific research and decades of clinical experience.

If a child falls behind on immunizations, we will work with the family to develop an appropriate catch-up plan based on AAP recommendations.

Religious, Personal, and Philosophical Exemptions

We respect that families may have different personal, philosophical, or religious beliefs regarding vaccines. However, because our practice is committed to protecting all patients—especially newborns and medically vulnerable children—we do not accept religious, personal, or philosophical exemptions to our immunization policy.

Families Choosing Not to Follow This Policy

We respect the rights of parents and guardians to make healthcare decisions for their children. However, families who choose not to follow this policy may need to establish care with another healthcare provider whose vaccination policies better align with their preferences.

Our goal is always to provide a safe environment for every child entrusted to our care. We understand that families may have questions, and we are committed to discussing vaccine concerns openly, respectfully, and without judgment.

Revised May 2026