Frequently Asked Questions
Why a Pediatrician?
Think of your pediatrician as a specialist for infants and children. Children grow and change every day and so do their medical needs. A pediatrician undergoes special training in the health and wellness of infants through young adults; all of our pediatricians are board certified with the American Academy of Pediatrics.
How often should I see my Pediatrician?
As often as you want! It is important that your child sees their pediatrician for both sick and well care in order to get to know as much as she can about your child’s health.
For well care, we recommend well visits at newborn, 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, 15 months, 18 months, 2 years, 30 months, 3 years and then annually thereafter.
We also will see your child whenever they are sick or having any other issues outside of their well care. We keep time slots available on the schedule to ensure we can get you in on the same day.
Can I meet my pediatrician before my baby is born?
Absolutely. Call our office to set up a pre-consultation visit with Dr. Baszis or Dr. Kurtz or the staff can answer any questions you might have.
See Newborns
Do I have to sign up with your office as my pediatrician before my baby is born?
No, there is nothing you need to formally do with us until after the baby is born. When you go into labor, the nurses at the hospital will ask you if you have chosen a pediatrician. You can tell them you will be going to South County Pediatrics. If we are on staff at the hospital, they will call us to let us know you have delivered. Your doctor will then come to the hospital to do the initial newborn visit and give your further instructions on setting up office appointments. We are on staff at Mercy, Missouri Baptist, and Mercy South (formerly St. Anthony's). If you deliver at another hospital, one of the hospital doctors will see your baby until you are discharged. When you know your discharge date, call our office, and we will get you in to see your doctor within 24-48 hours after discharge.
Is your office accepting new patients?
Yes, all of our doctors are accepting new patients. Please call our office to inquire about setting up an appointment.
See New to South County Pediatrics
What Insurances do you take?
We take most commercial insurance plans. If your insurance is through an employer group, we most likely take it. We do not take any of the state medical plans. Please call our office to verify we accept your child’s insurance.
See Insurance and Billing
Child Immunization Schedule: Who decides what immunizations children need and when?
Please see the article below for more information on immunizations and the vaccination schedule.
Child Immunization Schedule: Why Is It Like That?
Does your office allow children that are not vaccinated?
No, for the safety of all of our patients, we do not see children that are not vaccinated or on a vaccination schedule. As Board Certified Pediatricians, we believe that the best course of action is to fully vaccinate your child and to follow the recommended vaccination schedule that was designed to be the safest and most efficient way for your child to receive all their vaccinations.
See Vaccine Schedule and Vaccine Information
Why not an Urgent Care?
Our pediatricians believe that continuity of care is one of the most important aspects of a child’s well-being. When you see your pediatrician instead of an urgent care, she is able to keep track of any patterns and can be quicker to diagnose a chronic issue or alter the course of action based on her knowledge of your child’s history. We do understand that sometimes an Urgent Care will be necessary, but we ask that you contact our office or after hours line first so we are aware of the illness and can guide you in the right direction.
Do you have sick and well waiting rooms?
We do have a separate waiting area for well babies 6 months and under that is divided from the main waiting room.
While our goal is for you not to have to wait long, sometimes being in the waiting room is necessary. For that reason, we try to schedule our patients so that the well kids are all here around the same time.
Do you prescribe antibiotics over the phone?
As your medical home we are committed to provide quality care medicine to all our patients. We DO NOT call in antibiotics over the phone. We would need to see the patients first to determine if medications are required. We have same day sick appointments available to accommodate our patient’s needs when they are sick. Please call our office at 314.849.3320 and press 1 for a same day acute appointment
At what age does my child need to transition to an adult doctor?
While some young adults like to transition sooner, we will see children through high school. While we hate to see them grow up and leave, we understand that with adulthood comes adult issues and those can be better addressed by a practitioner that specializes in adult medicine. We find the smoothest time to transition your child to an adult or family medicine doctor is before they leave for college. That way they can establish care with a physician before they are out of town. To have your child's records transferred to their new doctor, fill out the Medical Records Release and return it to us. We will send the records to the new doctor.
Who do you recommend as an adult doctor for my child?
There are many wonderful adult practitioners in the area! We suggest that they go to your doctor if you think that would be a good fit or check with your insurance to see what doctors in the area are accepting new patients.
Think of your pediatrician as a specialist for infants and children. Children grow and change every day and so do their medical needs. A pediatrician undergoes special training in the health and wellness of infants through young adults; all of our pediatricians are board certified with the American Academy of Pediatrics.
How often should I see my Pediatrician?
As often as you want! It is important that your child sees their pediatrician for both sick and well care in order to get to know as much as she can about your child’s health.
For well care, we recommend well visits at newborn, 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, 15 months, 18 months, 2 years, 30 months, 3 years and then annually thereafter.
We also will see your child whenever they are sick or having any other issues outside of their well care. We keep time slots available on the schedule to ensure we can get you in on the same day.
Can I meet my pediatrician before my baby is born?
Absolutely. Call our office to set up a pre-consultation visit with Dr. Baszis or Dr. Kurtz or the staff can answer any questions you might have.
See Newborns
Do I have to sign up with your office as my pediatrician before my baby is born?
No, there is nothing you need to formally do with us until after the baby is born. When you go into labor, the nurses at the hospital will ask you if you have chosen a pediatrician. You can tell them you will be going to South County Pediatrics. If we are on staff at the hospital, they will call us to let us know you have delivered. Your doctor will then come to the hospital to do the initial newborn visit and give your further instructions on setting up office appointments. We are on staff at Mercy, Missouri Baptist, and Mercy South (formerly St. Anthony's). If you deliver at another hospital, one of the hospital doctors will see your baby until you are discharged. When you know your discharge date, call our office, and we will get you in to see your doctor within 24-48 hours after discharge.
Is your office accepting new patients?
Yes, all of our doctors are accepting new patients. Please call our office to inquire about setting up an appointment.
See New to South County Pediatrics
What Insurances do you take?
We take most commercial insurance plans. If your insurance is through an employer group, we most likely take it. We do not take any of the state medical plans. Please call our office to verify we accept your child’s insurance.
See Insurance and Billing
Child Immunization Schedule: Who decides what immunizations children need and when?
Please see the article below for more information on immunizations and the vaccination schedule.
Child Immunization Schedule: Why Is It Like That?
Does your office allow children that are not vaccinated?
No, for the safety of all of our patients, we do not see children that are not vaccinated or on a vaccination schedule. As Board Certified Pediatricians, we believe that the best course of action is to fully vaccinate your child and to follow the recommended vaccination schedule that was designed to be the safest and most efficient way for your child to receive all their vaccinations.
See Vaccine Schedule and Vaccine Information
Why not an Urgent Care?
Our pediatricians believe that continuity of care is one of the most important aspects of a child’s well-being. When you see your pediatrician instead of an urgent care, she is able to keep track of any patterns and can be quicker to diagnose a chronic issue or alter the course of action based on her knowledge of your child’s history. We do understand that sometimes an Urgent Care will be necessary, but we ask that you contact our office or after hours line first so we are aware of the illness and can guide you in the right direction.
Do you have sick and well waiting rooms?
We do have a separate waiting area for well babies 6 months and under that is divided from the main waiting room.
While our goal is for you not to have to wait long, sometimes being in the waiting room is necessary. For that reason, we try to schedule our patients so that the well kids are all here around the same time.
Do you prescribe antibiotics over the phone?
As your medical home we are committed to provide quality care medicine to all our patients. We DO NOT call in antibiotics over the phone. We would need to see the patients first to determine if medications are required. We have same day sick appointments available to accommodate our patient’s needs when they are sick. Please call our office at 314.849.3320 and press 1 for a same day acute appointment
At what age does my child need to transition to an adult doctor?
While some young adults like to transition sooner, we will see children through high school. While we hate to see them grow up and leave, we understand that with adulthood comes adult issues and those can be better addressed by a practitioner that specializes in adult medicine. We find the smoothest time to transition your child to an adult or family medicine doctor is before they leave for college. That way they can establish care with a physician before they are out of town. To have your child's records transferred to their new doctor, fill out the Medical Records Release and return it to us. We will send the records to the new doctor.
Who do you recommend as an adult doctor for my child?
There are many wonderful adult practitioners in the area! We suggest that they go to your doctor if you think that would be a good fit or check with your insurance to see what doctors in the area are accepting new patients.
