It was brought to our attention that Molina sent letters to Woodcreek Pediatrics - Mary Bridge Children’s patients in error.  The letters indicated that our contract with Molina ended April 30, 2018, but that information is incorrect.  Woodcreek Pediatrics – Mary Bridge Children’s is contracted with Molina as a part of MultiCare Health System.  You do not need to select a new PCP as directed in the letter; we are working with Molina to correct their records.  We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.  

While we are still investigating this issue, we believe this mistake originated because of a change to our Tax ID which occurred in January during our affiliation with Mary Bridge Children's Hospital.  If you have questions about  your Molina coverage, we recommend you contact Molina Healthcare Customer Service at (800) 869-7165 or visit their website at www.molinahealthcare.com/members for more information.

​So, what's the value in taking your teen into the pediatrician for their annual well child visit you ask?  Isn't a sports physical the same thing as a well child check? We get asked these questions routinely and we hope this article provides the answer you are looking for.

Why are Well Child visits important?
First off, your teen is going through many changes at this time - physical changes like puberty as well as emotional, cognitive and social changes that can have a lasting impact on their lives.  Did you know that almost 1 in 4 adolescents will engage in at least one risky behavior such as drinking alcohol, smoking, vaping, unprotected sex, poor eating habits and drugs during this time?  In addition, the lifestyle choices made during this period play an important role in determining their risk for developing chronic disease during adulthood.  In other words, the habits made now may last a lifetime.
 
We recommend annual well child visits for all children 12-17 years of age.  While well child visits for younger children focus on physical development, age-appropriate milestones and vaccinations - the adolescent well visits begin to focus on social and academic competence, sexual development and identity, emotional and cognitive health screenings, and violence and injury prevention.
 
Isn't a Sports Physical the same as a Well Child Visit?
Nope. Sports physicals are not the same as a well child visit.  The sports physical is like the tip of a iceberg - it is designed to simply clear your child to play a sport. Sports physicals do not include an evaluation of your child's development, immunization history, current concerns, risk factors, emotional well-being and advice for developing a healthy lifestyle.  However, the well child visit looks at the entire iceberg - both the parts seen above and below the waterline. During adolescent well child visits our staff will have you fill out the required sports physical paperwork – so there is no need for two separate appointments.
 
Well Child visits may save you money
While it may seem easier just to obtain a sports physical, consider this: many insurance companies will pay for annual well child visits whereas sports physicals most likely will require out of pocket expenses (please check the details of your personal insurance plan). Woodcreek Pediatrics - Mary Bridge Children's highly recommends scheduling you child an annual well visit rather than simply stopping in for a sports physical.
 
Communication is key
At Woodcreek Pediatrics - Mary Bridge Children's we are your partner in the development and health of your teenager.  We feel that first and foremost, communication between youth, families and their pediatrician are essential to ensure effective and high-quality care. 
 
The adolescent well child visit introduces some key changes to how your pediatrician will communicate with you and your child. Our goal is to ensure your child can discuss sensitive topics such as gender identity or risky behaviors in a safe and comfortable environment.  This may lead to the provider asking permission to explore some of these topics with (or without) the parent in the room. By promoting open and honest communication early, we find youth are more likely to seek assistance from adults and professionals as their life becomes more complicated in later years.  The trust we help establish now sets the foundations for a lifetime.
 
To schedule a well child appointment, please contact our office at 253-848-8797 option 2, or login to the YourAccess patient portal and send us a secure message.

We are excited to announce several new tools that will make appointment scheduling, appointment reminders and appointment check-in more secure and efficient across our Pediatric offices. 
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These new tools and features are part of the CareNotify platform and you will start to see them in action as early as early June 2018. While we work to implement these features, you can expect to start seeing the CareNotify logo in communications, messages and on our website.  Our organization has been going through a lot of changes lately - including our partnership with Mary Bridge Children's - which brings new logos to the mix.  The CareNotify logo is part of our new brand and product offering - so please be expecting to see it in our electronic communications to you. 

CareNotify is a comprehensive set of tools which will help to manage the care you receive.  CareNotify is a service that allows you to connect with us through the convenience of mobile technology. It is quick, convenient and secure - with no apps to download. Specifically, we will be offering the following systems which will address your requests and help us partner with you to manage your child's healthcare.

• Appointment Reminders - coming June 2018
  Starting in the next several weeks, we will be sending our appointment reminders via text message, email or automated voice calls 48 hours before your appointment.  In these messages, you will be able to confirm your attendance by simply replying to the message - just follow the prompts.  
  
  
• Proactive Outreach - coming mid-summer
  Let's face it - you are busy.  Rather than having to remember to make an appointment with us, CareNotify works with your pediatrician to identify when you are due for well child visits or other appointment types and will notify you - giving you the assistance you need to contact us and make your appointment. Gone are the days of forgetting to schedule your appointment. With CareNotify and the WPMB healthcare team, let us do the heavy lifting for you.
  
  
• Online Scheduling - coming mid-summer
  Sometimes you just want to schedule your own appointment but don't want to have to call in and risk being placed on hold for what seems like forever.  We hear you loud and clear. If you happen to miss the CareNotify message to schedule your appointment, do not worry.  You can simply login to our website and self-schedule for the majority of our visit types.  Please keep in mind that some appointment types (med checks and new patient appointments for example) may not be available for online scheduling due to their complexity. Online scheduling with CareNotify makes scheduling with us a snap - from any internet connected device.
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• Paperless Check-in - coming mid-summer
  We are so excited about the CareNotify paperless check-in feature and are sure you will love it also!  We have re-invented the check in process with you (and your children) in mind.  Why wait in a long line when you can check in from the comfort of your couch up to 24 hours before your appointment.  With CareNotify, you will receive a message from us. After a simple identification process, you can review your demographic and insurance information, make corrections or updates, pay any co-pays or balances on your account and complete the required paperwork - all from your mobile device.  Voila! You are ready to go; simply walk into the office and notify the reception desk you have arrived.  The CareNotify paperless check-in is instant, personal and convenient.
  
  

Our goal is to improve your healthcare experience by allowing you to be more connected to your care team.  The CareNotify system helps us connect with you wherever you are.  It is time the healthcare experience changes in a way that fits with your busy lifestyle. We will begin rolling out these products in the next several months.  Look at our frequently asked questions page for additional information. As we prepare to launch each new feature we will update our website and provide you with the valuable information.