With the birth of your baby comes an important decision: Who should care for your child’s health? At Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), we have pediatricians and family medicine clinicians ready to care for your newborn.
About pediatricians
You can choose a pediatrician, a family practice physician or a certified registered nurse practitioner who specializes in pediatrics. Pediatricians follow American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines and provide specialized care, such as developmental and growth assessments, and also give breastfeeding support to mothers and babies. They have expertise in providing care for children with developmental problems and chronic medical conditions. Pediatricians employ staff members who focus on caring for children. For teenagers with issues relating to transition to adulthood, an adolescent medicine specialist can be helpful too. Adolescent medicine specialists have specialized education in medical and emotional issues teens face.
About family medicine physicians
Family medicine physicians have specialty education in the comprehensive health care of individuals and families of all ages (infants, children, teens, young adults, adults and geriatrics), all genders, and also provide care in a broad range of areas including pediatrics, women’s health, office procedures, musculoskeletal medicine and behavioral health. Family physicians can care for both parents and children in the same setting, and can provide care for your child into adulthood. They employ staff members who are educated in the care of children and adults. Like pediatricians, family physicians also provide developmental assessments and breastfeeding support to mothers and babies, and follow national guidelines in the care of children.
Health insurance for your new baby
As you get closer to your delivery date, it is time to start thinking about health insurance for your new baby. Questions you may ask about health insurance:
Will my health insurance company cover my new baby?
- You will need to call your health insurance company to find out if it will cover your baby.
- The phone number for your health insurance company can be found on the back of your insurance card. If you are under age 26 and covered by your parents’ health plan, your baby may not be covered. You will need to find another health plan for your baby.
- If you are covered by the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP), it may not cover your baby. You will need to find another health plan for your baby.
What if my insurance plan will not cover my new baby or will only cover my baby for 30 days?
You can do the following:
- Buy an individual insurance plan for your baby. This is private insurance you buy yourself and is not the kind you get through a job.
- Based on your family size and income, your baby might be covered under Medical Assistance or the CHIP program. For more information about these programs, contact the Department of Public Welfare in your county. You also may obtain information and apply on the internet by searching CHIP (chipcoverspakids.com).
- Get more information on health care insurance by going to healthcare.gov or call a private insurance company.
Where can I find health care for my baby?
You can take your baby to a pediatric or family practice office, or a clinic.
- Call the office before you deliver to make sure the practice is taking new babies.
- Ask if the office accepts the insurance plan your baby will have.
- Call your insurance company to get a list of health care clinicians that will accept your baby’s insurance.
Raising a Family
From classes about labor to hospital tours for children awaiting the arrival of a new sibling, LVHN offers virtual and in-person classes to help you and your family.
See available classesImage
