Whether you’re young, or just young at heart, it’s time to plan for your flu shot.

Pediatrics

A message to our UHS Pediatrics families

In light of recent events, UHS has instituted changes to our daily practice in our outpatient offices in order to ensure the safety of our patients and their families. Things are changing daily and we appreciate your patience as we make the necessary changes in order to keep your child and our community safe from contracting an infection.

UHS Pediatrics is now offering In-person visits.

Virtual visits are now available with pediatric providers, Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call your pediatrician's office to schedule a virtual visit.

We have put strategies in place, including implementing policies to separate sick visits and well visits to allow more time for cleaning of the office and also to make sure if your child is well, they will not be exposed to a child who may have a contagious illness.

If your child is sick we encourage you to please CALL YOUR CHILD'S PROVIDER FIRST. We have dedicated staff to help answer your questions.

UHS Binghamton Pediatrics Dr DeGuardi — Dr. Mary DeGuardi of UHS Pediatrics - Binghamton

Please avoid bringing siblings to any visits if possible or people over the age of 65 years of age unless ABSOLUTELY necessary.

It is still VERY IMPORTANT to bring your child under the age of 2 for their well child visits. The vaccinations they receive at these visits are very important in protecting them against serious illnesses.

Call your Primary Care Provider or Pediatrician with any questions.

At UHS we are very dedicated to the health and well-being of your child. Telehealth at our Virtual Walk-In is also available to help with questions about your child's health.

The best way to be a healthy adult is to get off to a good start in life. Making sure your child has regular well visits with a pediatrician will go a long way toward growing into a healthy adult. Your pediatrician will help make sure your child get the vaccinations he or she needs, tracks their growth and development and can help head off many future health problems before they develop.

A pediatrician is your health partner in your child's life. They get to know your child, which helps in their development and can also help diagnose and treat when your child is sick.

Pediatricians diagnose and treat diseases in infants and children, as well as monitor the growth, development and well-being of pre-adolescents.

Child & Adolescent Immunization Schedule

School-based Health Centers

In conjunction with the Binghamton City School District, UHS operates school-based health centers at Franklin Elementary School and Roosevelt Elementary School.

These centers provide:

Primary and preventive health care services
Counseling, emotional and behavioral support services
Annual physicals if requested; a physical is required by the New York State Department of Education for children in grades K, 1, 3, 7 and 10

The staff of our school-based health centers (which includes a full-time, board certified pediatrician) works closely with school nurses and coordinates care with the child’s primary care provider to ensure communication and continuity of care.

Who can get care?
Care is available to all students who attend a participating school. However, for your child to be seen by center staff, an enrollment form that gives us permission to see your child must be on file. These forms must be updated each year.

What about costs?

There is no out-of-pocket cost for services delivered at the center, regardless of whether you have insurance or not.
The center will bill your insurance or Medicaid (if applicable). To do this, we must have a copy of the front and back of your insurance card.
When your insurance company is billed, they may send you an Explanation of Benefits form. Even if this form shows an amount in the patient responsibility column, there is no cost to you for services provided at the school-based health center.
You are not responsible for a co-pay.
You are responsible for the cost of any services provided outside the center, such as X-rays or prescriptions that may be ordered.

When is the center open and how do I get an appointment for my child?
School-based health centers are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. following the school schedule. This means we’re typically open on teacher conference and staff development days, when the school is open but students aren’t present. The centers are closed on holidays and vacation days when schools are closed. Parents may call for an appointment to have their child seen even if the student is not well enough to attend school that day. Parents are welcome to accompany their child to the center and are encouraged to communicate with center providers.