Are We a Good Fit?

Welcome to Pediatrics Professional Association!

It is essential that you have given careful consideration to how well our practice philosophies align with your own when choosing a pediatric practice for your children. Excellent care happens when the physicians and office staff are aligned with your family's priorities and philosophies regarding medical care. Only then can shared decision-making be based on mutual respect.

Pediatric Professional Association was started in 1964 by Dr. Russell Etzenhouser and Dr. John Nieman, followed by Dr. Edward Belzer and Dr. Donald Vannaman. They recognized the need for a collaborative approach to pediatric healthcare. Since then, we have been dedicated to partnering with families to emphasize the importance of preventative medicine and health education.

We are excited and honored that you are considering us for your child’s care. It is always special for us to be invited by parents to join in the care of a family member.

The continuity of care and the amazement of watching a child grow and develop is one of the primary reasons that we feel privileged to work in pediatrics. We are here for you and your family every step of the way!

Please read the following checklist carefully to be sure Pediatric Professional Association is the appropriate medical home for your children.

New Patient Checklist

Vaccines -  Our Vaccine Policy follows the schedule outlined by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Our office does require that our patients are vaccinated. For more information, please see our vaccine policy.

Antibiotics - We work hard to not overuse antibiotics. We educate families on appropriate use of antibiotics, but follow evidence-based guidelines and don’t automatically treat ear pain or a green snotty nose with antibiotics. We do not prescribe antibiotics over the phone as we do not believe that is good medicine. We will prescribe an antibiotic when we believe it is an appropriate treatment.

Medical Home -  We work hard to provide comprehensive medical care and serve as your medical home. To that end, we expect that you contact our office first before seeking specialty care or heading to another provider for urgent care. We want to be involved in providing care in our office where appropriate, or referring you to the most appropriate specialist. Whenever you do see a specialist, we ask that you request a report be sent directly to our office so we may stay informed and have the most up-to-date information in your medical record.

Technology - Our practice prides itself on efficiency through use of technology. You will be encouraged to consult our website, register for our patient portal and utilize appointment texts with the link to complete the questions provided before you arrive for your appointment.

Office Hours -  We make every effort to meet the needs of our patients, offering both routine well visits and sick visit appointments Monday through Thursday 8am-5pm and Friday 8am-4pm.

After Hours - If you have an urgent need while our office is closed, call our main number and our answering service will give your information to the Children's Mercy Nurse Triage line. A trained pediatric nurse will assist with your urgent need. If necessary, the triage nurse will relay your message to the physician on-call for our office. The fee for this service is $15. You may also utilize the "Is Your Child Sick?" section of our website for helpful information.

Insurance -  Make sure we participate with your insurance plan. It is your responsibility to know the limits and covered benefits of your particular health insurance policy. Our billing staff will do their best to assist you with insurance questions; however, questions about your coverage should be directed to your insurance company. We ask that you provide your insurance card at each visit and be prepared to pay any copays or balances at the time of service. Please read our Financial Policy for more information regarding insurance.

Billing - Insurance copays are expected to be paid at the time of service. If you are unable to comply, you must speak with the billing department prior to the visit. Our office does not want you to be surprised by a bill, but must always bill your health plan based on federal guidelines and the actual services provided.

Scheduled Appointments -  For sick child visits, call the office to speak with a nurse who will listen to your concerns, consult with a physician and schedule an appointment if needed. For well child visits, schedule in advance. Our physician's schedules are open up to one year in advance.

Timeliness & Missed Appointments -  We ask that you arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. We understand sometimes things happen beyond your control that may cause you to be late. However, we reserve the right to ask you to reschedule if you arrive 15 minutes late for your appointment. Any well check or medication check appointment missed, cancelled or rescheduled with less than 24-hour notice will be assessed a $50 fee, unless we agree that you were unable to attend due to circumstances beyond your control. A no call, no show sick visit may be charged a $50 fee. Appointment notifications are sent through text and email, but if these are not received it does not remove your responsibility. It is up to you to know your appointment time.