COPC Ohio Center for Pediatrics

• New Patients: If you are a new patient to us, we will establish care with you at your next annual visit or the next due follow-up of a chronic health condition.
• What to Bring: Please bring your current insurance information and co-pay to each visit.
• Sports and Back-to-School Forms: Bring completed forms to exams or request them 1–2 months ahead of time.
• Immunization Records: Be sure to get and keep copies of your child’s vaccine records at their 2, 5, 12, and 18 year visits.
• Same-Day Appointments: Call early to get the best available time. Phones open at 8:00 AM.
• Physicals and Well Exams: Book at least 2–3 months in advance. Your child should be scheduled at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, and 30 months, then annually from ages 3 to 18.
• Prescription Refills: Requests will be completed within 3 business days. Annual physical exams and timely medication checks are necessary for refills.
• Referrals: If your insurance requires a referral from your child’s pediatrician to see a specialist, please let us know in advance to receive maximum coverage and avoid being rescheduled.
• Urgent Care and Hospital Visits: Talk to one of our physicians on call after office hours. They may be able to save you a costly and inconvenient trip to the hospital or confirm the need for immediate medical care.

Services Offered

• Comprehensive Asthma Education Program
• Nutrition Counseling
• Behavioral Therapy
• COPC Pediatric Support Centers

Appointments & Referrals
We see patients by appointment only. If your child is ill and you wish to have them seen, it is best to call early in the morning so that we may accommodate your scheduling needs. Please advise the office staff regarding each child needing an appointment.

Prescription Policies and Information

We ask that you make sure to get all necessary prescriptions written at the time of your office visit. If your child is on daily medications for conditions such as ADHD/ADD, asthma, or allergies, we will prescribe the amount necessary until the next follow-up appointment (generally 3–6 months, depending on diagnosis).

Many of our patients have insurance changes every year. If you need new prescriptions because of a change in insurance, you will need to schedule a follow-up visit with the doctor.

Every insurance plan has its own formulary. If you would like a prescription with the lowest pharmacy co-pay, please bring your formulary and discuss this with the doctor at the time of each visit.

If there is a medical necessity for a prescription to be called in after hours, a $25 fee will be charged. This applies to:

• Prescriptions called in after hours or on weekends
• Prescriptions called in without an office visit
• Prescriptions called in or written due to formulary changes separate from an office visit

This fee will not be billed to your insurance company and will be your responsibility.

We Prescribe Antibiotics Wisely

Antibiotics are powerful medicines used to treat certain illnesses caused by bacteria. They do not cure everything, and unnecessary antibiotics can be harmful to your child.

Antibiotics can be an effective treatment for some bacterial infections and can kill certain types of bacteria.

Bacteria can cause:

• Most ear infections
• Some sinus infections
• Strep throat
• Urinary tract infections

What Are Resistant Bacteria?

Bacteria are killed each time you take an antibiotic, but sometimes bacteria causing infections may already be resistant or become resistant during treatment.

A common misconception is that a person’s body becomes resistant to medicines. In reality, it is the bacteria—not the person—that becomes resistant.

When antibiotics are taken improperly, the odds of developing medicine-resistant bacteria increase significantly. This is why it is important to only take antibiotics when absolutely necessary.

Viruses

Antibiotics cannot kill viruses or help your child feel better.

Viruses can cause:

• Colds and flu
• Runny noses
• Most coughs and bronchitis
• Most sore throats

When Are Antibiotics Needed?

Antibiotics are needed depending on the specific diagnosis. For example, several types of ear infections require antibiotics, while some do not.

Common viral infections, such as coughs and colds, can sometimes become complicated and a bacterial infection can develop. However, treating viral infections with antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections is not recommended because of the risk of bacterial resistance.

Remember that antibiotics should be taken exactly as prescribed and should never be shared with others.

Late Cancellation and No-Show Policy

We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, we're here to help.

To keep appointments available for all patients and reduce wait times, please contact us at least 24 hours in advance if you cannot make your scheduled visit.

What Counts as a Late Cancellation or No-Show?

Late Cancellation: Canceling or rescheduling your appointment less than 24 hours before the scheduled time.

No-Show: Missing your appointment without notifying us at least 24 hours in advance.

Fees for Missed Appointments

Appointments not canceled at least 24 hours ahead of time will incur a $25 fee.

Please note: This fee is not covered by insurance and will be billed directly to you.

How to Cancel or Reschedule

You may cancel or reschedule your appointment in any of the following ways:

• MyChart: If you're enrolled, you can cancel or reschedule anytime through your account.
• Call the office: If we're unable to answer, please leave a voicemail with your full name, date of birth, appointment date/time, and the reason for cancellation.

Helpful Reminder

Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to allow time for check-in and any necessary paperwork. This helps us stay on schedule and ensures your visit runs smoothly.