By: Eli Nussbaum, M.D., chief of staff, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach
During the next few months, open enrollment will be taking place and it can be an overwhelming process for anyone. Determining if you want to keep your current plan or switch providers is an important decisions since it determines the health care coverage you and your family will receive for the next year.
If you have children, it is important to choose a plan that gives your child access to specialized pediatric care. Children and adults are different and so are their health care needs. Many children’s illnesses are rarely seen in adults or affect kids differently, so when a child needs hospitalization, choosing the right doctor, care team and hospital is important.
When reviewing plans, here are some things to consider if your child should ever need care in a hospital.
Board-Certified Pediatric Specialists
You should expect a kid friendly care team that includes board-certified pediatric specialists, nurses and other health care professionals, all extensively trained in pediatric medicine and who specialize in treating your child’s condition.
Pediatric specialists are specially trained to evaluate, diagnose and treat newborns, children and young adults.
Support for Patients and Families
A unique aspect of a children’s hospital is access to child life specialists. For children, hospitalization can be the most frightening experience of their life, especially if they’re in the early stages of their development. A child life specialist’s primary role is to normalize the unfamiliar environment of a hospital.
Child life specialists have degrees in child development and prepare children before they go into any medical procedure, surgery or test. Often called “medical play,” the preparation sessions are geared to the developmental level of the child.
Transitioning from Adult to Pediatric Care
Every pediatric patient will need to transition to an adult physician, so they remain in an
age-appropriate health care setting. Done abruptly, this can be overwhelming. Look for a hospital and care team that offers support and education that ensures young adults with chronic conditions understand their illness and can care for themselves independently once they become adults.
Open Enrollment Tip
During open enrollment, a helpful tip to consider is to first choose a hospital you would want your child to receive care at and then select a physician affiliated with that hospital.
Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach provides specialized pediatric care for children and young adults, with conditions ranging from common to complex – as well as maternity care for expectant mothers – all under one roof. Only five percent of all hospitals are children’s hospitals, making them unique not only to children’s health care needs in the community, but across the region.
It also is part of the MemorialCare Health System, which means that all of the adults in your family will have their entire plan of health care covered as well.
Choosing a health plan and physician associated with Miller Children’s ensures your child will receive the specialized care they need.
For a referral to a physician associated with Miller Children’s, call 800-MEMORIAL.