Well-child visits

Making every
visit count

We follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) recommendations for well-child visits to ensure we can effectively monitor your child’s growth and development from birth through through the last year of high school.

Immunization

Well-child visits are the only way to stay current on your child’s scheduled and suggested immunizations. This is also a good time to ask your pediatrician about other diseases that you cannot be vaccinated against and what you can be doing at home and at school to protect your child from them.

Growth tracking

It’s important to keep track of your child’s development, both mentally and physically. A well-child visit allows you to discuss your child’s behaviors and learning progress with your pediatrician to determine and measure their progress.

Early detection

Regular visits allow you, as a parent, to discuss daily observations such as sleep patterns, dietary concerns, social interactions, and more with your pediatrician. This helps to ensure the detection of early warning signs that your child’s development may be hindered.

Developmental screening

The physicians of Children’s Medical Group recognize the importance of early detection and intervention in treating developmental delays. Based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) we include developmental screening tools for all well-child checkups for children 9 months of age through 24 months of age.

Ages and Stages Questionnaires

Children’s Medical Group uses Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) at the 9, 12 and 24 month well-child checkups and the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) at the 18 month well-child checkup to identify children who would benefit from a more comprehensive developmental evaluation.

Here are samples of questions for each age level:

9 months questionnaire sample
If you ask your baby to, does he play at least one nursery game even if you don’t show him the activity yourself (“bye-bye”, “peek-a-boo”, “clap your hands”, “so big”)?
After one or two tries does your baby pick up a piece of string with her first finger and thumb? (The string may be attached to a toy.)
Does your baby successfully pick up a crumb or Cheerio by using her thumb and all of her fingers in a raking motion?
Does your baby poke at or try to get a crumb or Cheerio that is inside a clear bottle (plastic drink bottle or baby bottle)?
Does your baby drink from a cup while you hold it?
12 months questionnaire sample
Does your baby throw a small ball with a forward arm motion?
Does your baby help turn the pages of a book? (You may lift a page for him to grasp.)
After watching you completely hide a small toy under a piece of paper or cloth, does your baby find it?
If you put a small toy into a bowl or box, does your baby copy you by putting in a toy, although she may not let go of it?
Does your baby roll or throw a ball back to you so that you can return it to him?
18 months questionnaire sample
At your child’s 18 month well child checkup we will ask you to complete the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT). The M-CHAT is a screening tool to help pediatricians with the early identification of children with autism. The M-CHAT does not provide a diagnosis, but can identify a child at risk.
24 months questionnaire sample
Does your child say two or three words that represent different ideas together, such as “See dog”, “Kitty gone” or “Mommy come home”?
Does your child jump with both feet leaving the floor at the same time?
Does your child stack seven small blocks or toys on top of each other by herself?
Can your child string small items such as beads, macaroni or pasta onto a string or shoelace?
After watching you draw a line from the top of the paper to the bottom does your child copy you by drawing a single line on the paper in any direction?
After a crumb or Cheerio is dropped into a small, clear bottle does your child turn the bottle upside down to dump out the crumb or Cheerio? (Do not show him how.)
Does your child pretend objects are something else? For example, does your child hold a cup to her ear, pretending it is a telephone? Does she put a box on her head, pretending it is a hat?

Developmental milestones

All children do not develop on the same schedule. If you have any concerns about your child’s development, please speak with your physician. For general information about what to expect at different ages, click on the appropriate link below:

Immunizations

We review your child’s routine immunizations at each wellness visit. This gives them the protection they need to live long, healthy lives and ensures they meet the school readiness requirements for vaccinations!

RESOURCES

Frequently asked questions

How do I make an appointment?
Please call one of our offices to make an appointment:
Airport Location: 251-342-3810 (option 2)
Providence Location: 251-639-1300 (option 2)
Each physician at Children’s Medical Group has their own pediatric registered nurse to answer any questions you may have, refill prescriptions, give test results and offer advice regarding your child. We begin answering our phones at 7:30 AM on weekdays and 7:00 AM on weekends.
What insurance(s) do you accept?
Medical Insurance:
Our office accepts most insurance plans. We do not accept Medicaid. Please check with your insurance plan to determine if the providers of Children’s Medical Group are listed as participating (in-network) providers with your insurance plan. You are responsible for all applicable copays, co-insurance, annual deductibles and any non-covered services. Please understand that we cannot waive any patient balances. All copays are due at the time of service.
In the event you have an insurance plan that Children’s Medical Group does not contract with, you will be responsible for payment of all charges not paid by your plan. Most insurance plans refer to this as “out-of-network”. If you have an insurance plan that requires a primary care physician, you must specify your selection to your insurance plan prior to being seen at Children’s Medical Group. For newborns, parents have a period of 30 days to contact their insurance company and enroll the baby on the insurance plan.
Verification of Insurance:
Proof of insurance is required by providing your insurance card at each visit. This is done to ensure that we are a participating provider in your plan and that all information and/or changes have been documented correctly. Please inform our receptionist of any changes in your insurance coverage, address, phone, etc. To avoid appointment delays and to expedite your visit, please bring your insurance card with you and present it at each visit.
Methods of Payment:
Check, cash, debit. MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express are accepted for your convenience.
Return of Check Charge:
If your check is returned for any reason, a thirty-five dollar ($35) return check charge will be assessed to your account. Cash or credit cards are accepted to pay for these charges and is expected upon notification. After two returned checks we will no longer accept checks as payment for services.
Do you offer ear piercing?
We offer medical ear piercing for children and babies over 4 months of age to 12 months of age and older than 5 years of age.  Please call the office to make an appointment.
 We use the Blomdahl Medical Ear piercing system which is available ONLY to physicians. The Blomdahl Medical Ear piercing system uses single-use cassettes which minimizes chances for infection.  It uses medical grade plastic and medical grade titanium studs which eliminates the risk of nickel allergy.  Using this system also eliminates the possibility of patient-to-patient cross-contamination because the single use part of the equipment never comes in contact with the skin of the patient at the piercing site.
Children’s Medical Group recognizes that by offering these services, your child will have a professional service, a sterile system, and better outcome than at a mall or tattoo parlor. 
Age restrictions:
CMG will do ear piercing for infants aged 4 months to 12 months and for children 5 years of age and older. This ensures that infants have received the first two sets of vaccines, including the DTaP, and allows the ear to grow big enough for more accurate placement of the earring. After 12 months of age, children are more active making the actual piercing experience more difficult and less safe. For children over 5 years of age, it is important that the child has requested to have their ears pierced and the Parent/Guardian has agreed. The child needs to be able to sit still during the procedure and has to allow or participate in responsible after-care to ensure a good outcome. The child will sit beside the parent and will lean against the parent’s shoulder. Teens will simply sit quietly on the own. 
Piercing location:
We only pierce earlobes and will only do one piercing per earlobe. We do not pierce cartilage or other body parts. 
Cost:
The cost for medical grade plastic is $100.00 to pierce both ears and $50.00 for one ear only. The cost for medical grade titanium is 120.00 to pierce both and $60.00 for one ear only. Payment is due in full when you check in for your ear piercing appointment. Since this is a cosmetic procedure, it is not covered by your insurance and will not be billed to your insurance.The payment includes the ear piercing stud made of medical grade plastic or titanium, and the cost of the ear piercing procedure by the Provider. 
Ear Piercing Appointments:
You may schedule an Ear Piercing Visit with our providers which would be to solely perform the medical ear piercing procedure.  Ear piercing will not be performed during any other Well Check or Sick/Problem Visits.
What do I need to bring to an appointment?
Bring with you a valid photo ID, immunization records, social security numbers, and insurance card.  If you have records from another physician please bring these also.
For medical records release forms click here.
What is your immunization policy?
Children’s Medical Group has done its best to support families who are concerned about vaccinating their children. Our philosophy has been that it is our role to provide reasoned, scientific information that can help alleviate those concerns. Unfortunately, there is a growing group of parents that insist they will not vaccinate their children or they have found a schedule of vaccination that they feel is safer than the schedule recommended by the CDC and the AAP. Around the country, the actions of relatively few parents have put many of the most vulnerable at risk. Whooping cough and measles are now in full resurgence. These diseases are life-threatening, especially to our youngest patients.
The physicians of Children’s Medical Group will no longer accept new families that do not vaccinate their children. Established patients that are behind the State of Alabama required vaccines will be given sufficient notice and time to bring their children up to date.
Parents or caregivers who refuse to vaccinate their children will be given a one month grace period to find another healthcare provider who shares your views. We do not maintain a list of these providers nor would we recommend any such physician. Please recognize that by not vaccinating you are putting your children at unnecessary risk for life-threatening illness and disability, even death.
As medical professionals, we feel very strongly that vaccinating children on schedule with currently available vaccines is absolutely the right thing to do for all children and young adults. The physicians of Children’s Medical Group are always ready to discuss any concerns or answer any questions about vaccines. 
Learn more
What if my child is sick and the office is closed?
When our office is closed, pediatric nurses from Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, AL are available to return calls and offer advice regarding your child.
For medical emergencies, the physicians of Children’s Medical Group recommend USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital. With a new, expanded children’s wing including state-of-the-art equipment and pediatric subspecialists, it is the best place along the Gulf Coast if your child requires an emergency room visit or hospitalization. Although we do not have hospital privileges, we will work closely with the physicians there to make sure your child receives the best care.
What should I do if I am late?
Patients are expected to arrive on time or a few minutes early for their scheduled appointment time.  If you will be late, please call and let us know and we will try to accommodate you; however, this may require waiting until all other scheduled appointments have been seen.  If we are unable to accommodate you, we will reschedule your appointment.
Our office policy is that an appointment for a sick visit be cancelled with a minimum of 2 hours prior notice. Cancellation of checkup/ADD/ADHD appointments require 24 hours prior notice. If appointment for existing patient scheduled for Monday – Friday is missed without adhering to our policy, your account will be billed $25. If appointment for new patient is missed without adhering to our policy, your account will be billed $50. If appointment scheduled for night, weekend, or holiday is missed, your account will be billed $50. If ADD/ADHD appointments are missed, your account will be charged $50. 
I am expecting a baby. When should I call?
The physicians of Children’s Medical Group, P.A. are excited to welcome your family to our group. If you have chosen Children’s Medical Group to care for your baby, please let us know by calling 251-342-3810 ext. 6298 and leave your name, telephone number and choice of pediatrician. We will return your call promptly.
Your baby’s first appointment should be 1 – 2 days after hospital discharge.

CONTACT US

Here for you
7 days-a-week

Monday - Friday | 7:15 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday | 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Airport office:

251-342-3810 (P)
251-344-6752 (F)

3920 Airport Blvd
Mobile, AL 36608

Providence office:

251-639-1300 (P)
251-639-1380 (F)

610 Providence Park Dr
Mobile, AL 36695

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