Updated: June 24, 2020
Dear Parents,
This page is our central resource center for our patient families as we deal with the current situation with COVID-19. Our new programs and efforts are detailed below, and additional resources from the CDC and AAP are also included for you.
Please Note: PHCA is an essential business. Our clinical sites will remain open and ready for all patients during weekdays and weekend morning hours.
These efforts are to help make our offices as safe as possible for our patients and our team. We continue to provide our full range of patient care as Your Child’s Medical Home. Please do not hesitate to call for any questions or concern, or for any visit needs.
We are here if you need us.
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Facial Mask Policy
Effective Wednesday, June 24
We have upgraded our policy to require facial masks for all visitors to our offices, in compliance with local ordinances throughout the tri-county area of Tampa Bay. Please review our full policy at the link below.
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Office Hours
Effective Wednesday, June 24
Weekdays: All offices are now open regular weekday hours for appointment scheduling.
Weekend Mornings: All weekend morning hours locations will be open for listed hours starting Saturday, June 27. Weekend mornings are available to all patients from any PHCA offices to meet your child's urgent needs, and it is necessary to call ahead for an appointment.
Evening Hours: Evening Hours remain temporarily closed. We anticipate this temporary closure to extend through June, and we will send further communications to all patients when we plan to re-open.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work through these changes. All of our efforts are to help ensure we can provide care when needed for our patients.
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Telemedicine
Effective April 2020
PHCA is now offering telemedicine for select visit types, where patients remain at home and connect with a provider online in a HIPAA-compliant video conference. Telemedicine is available from all PHCA offices for weekday appointments. During scheduling calls, our staff will determine if your visit needs are eligible for telemedicine, and let you know what to expect for a telemedicine appointment.
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Dedicated Block Scheduling
Effective Monday, March 23
We now have dedicated blocks in our schedule based on appointment type. The dedicated block for well patients only includes wellness checkups, newborns, and other non-illness visits. All illness visits will be scheduled in a separate scheduling block.
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Curbside Check-In
Effective Monday, March 23
Curbside check-in is being used for ALL patient visits at all locations, including evening and weekend hours. Patients check-in by phone and remain in their cars, then our staff comes out to escort you directly to your exam room.
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Financial Assistance for Patient Debt
Effective Immediately as of March 26
If a patient’s family has experienced a layoff, furlough, or similar economic hardship due to COVID-19 and has outstanding patient medical debt with PHCA, they will be eligible for newly instituted extended-payment terms. PHCA will extend payment terms for up to 12 months in length, for payment plans beginning in any period through June 30, 2020. PHCA does not charge interest or fees on any patient debt.
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Social Distancing Request
Upcoming Office Visits
As part of social distancing needs, we are kindly requesting that visits to our office are limited to the patient being seen (and caregiver) as much as possible.
We understand that child care concerns or other needs may require that siblings or other caregivers come with you to patient visits, and of course we will accommodate those needs.
We are just asking that if it isn't necessary for your family, please do not bring additional children or adults with you for scheduled appointments.
Thank you so much for helping us manage social distancing at our facilities.
Our pediatricians have curated the following resources to help guide parents:
> What to Do if You Are Sick (CDC)
> Frequently Asked Questions: Coronavirus and Children
> Talking to Kids about Coronavirus
> Talking to Teens and Tweens about Coronavirus
> Stop the Spread of Germs (CDC)