Free What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff

and you’re on duty at home alone … in a snowstorm.
    Call-ins. There will be times (probably more than you’ll want to count in that first year) when questions and concerns come up, and you just don’t feel comfortable waiting for an answer or some reassurance until baby’s next scheduled visit. Enter the phone call—or in more and more practices, email or text. Different offices handle parent calls differently, so be sure to ask about this very important protocol. One approach is the call-in hour: A particular time is set aside each day for the doctor to field calls and/or texts or emails—which means you’re pretty much assured of getting the advice you need, if you call at the designated time. Other offices use a call-back system—the doctor (or PA or PNP) will call back to answer questions when there’s a free moment between patients or at the very end of the day (questions are usually screened and prioritized by the staff). This approach may work better than a call-in hour if you suspect you’ll be the type of parent who can’t confine concerns to between 7 and 8 in the morning or 11 and noon, or can’t contemplate waiting until tomorrow’s call hour for relief from today’s worries. Still other pediatric offices use on-call nurses to answer common questions and dispense advice, passing only urgent or complicated medical issues to the doctor. Nurses can also “triage” the situation, helping a parent decide whether the baby should be brought in for an office visit and how soon. This system usually yields a prompter response (and faster relief for parental stress).
    Protocol for emergencies. Emergencies happen—and as a soon-to-be parent you’ll want to know how they’re handled by a doctor you’re considering. Some instruct parents to head to the ER for care in case of an emergency (though your insurance plan may require that you call the doctor first). Others ask you to call their office first and, depending on the nature of the illness or injury, will see your baby in the office or meet you at the ER. Some physicians are available (unless they’re out of town) days, nights, and weekends for emergencies. Others use colleagues or partners to cover for them during off-hours, and some may refer you to Urgent Care as appropriate.
    Financial matters. Some offices ask that you make any necessary payments or co-payments at the time of a visit, others will issue a bill. Some will bill insurance for you or submit paperwork, others won’t. Some offer an optional package deal for first-year care that covers any number of visits. Though the packagecosts more than the sum of fees for the year’s scheduled number of checkups, it’s usually a good bet: Two or three sick visits, and you’ll likely come out even or ahead (plus you’ll stress less about the cost of extra appointments). Insurance reimbursements for sick visits, package deal or no, will be handled according to the terms of your coverage.
    Payment schedules are also available in some offices, either routinely or under special circumstances, such as financial hardship. If you think you might need such an arrangement, discuss this with whoever is in charge of billing.
    You might also want to ask whether routine lab work is done in the office, which can save time and money.
    Practice style—and personality. When you’re in the market for a doctor, as when you’re shopping for baby furniture, the style that’s right will depend on your style. Do you prefer a doctor who’s laid-back and casual (maybe even a hugger)? Or one who’s buttoned up (and in a dress shirt, at that)? One who’s a kidder (even with parents) or one who’s all business? A doctor who likes to call all the shots or one who treats you as a full-fledged partner in your little one’s care?
    No matter what your style in doctor styles, chances are you’ll want to pick a