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Insurance & payment 

 

  • The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) launched Florida Health Price Finder, a new health care transparency tool for consumers.  The new website allows consumers and caregivers to look up the average amounts paid by Florida insurance plans for a specific service, giving them a better estimate of their total out-of-pocket expenses. The average amounts paid by insurance plans are based on billions of lines of claims data from three Florida health plans.  Claims data from additional health plans are expected to be added to the database in 2018.

  •  The website lists the services as “care bundles”.  A care bundle includes the steps and procedures that are part of a typical treatment plan for that specific care bundle.  For example, the care bundle for Knee Replacement includes an office visit with a specialist, surgery, outpatient physical therapy/rehabilitation and follow-up visits.  

 

  • Since 2007, Floridians have been able to use floridahealthfinder.gov to look up undiscounted hospital charges, however, this is rarely the amount that individuals or insurance companies are expected to pay. Now, with this new tool, and in conjunction with working with their respective insurance plans, Floridians have the opportunity to get a much better estimate of out-of-pocket costs for specific services.

Click here for a list of names and web addresses of health insurers and health maintenance organizations (HMO) contracted with the hospital as a network provider or participating provider. 

  • How do I know if Pediatric Surgery Centers accepts my insurance?
  • Do you accept Medicaid?
    • We do accept Medicaid.
  • When is payment due?
    • Payment is due on the day of the procedure.
  • Financial Assistance Policy

    • If Pediatric Surgery Centers believes that you have health insurance and/or HMO coverage(s) that may cover some or all of the Services, Pediatric Surgery Centers may initiate contact with them to determine your cost-sharing responsibilities for Pediatric Surgery Center’s bill. You may contact them directly as well for additional information concerning your cost-sharing responsibilities. If Pediatric Surgery Centers determines that you have cost-sharing responsibilities for Pediatric Surgery Center’s bill, in accordance with Pediatric Surgery Center's financial assistance policies, you will be required to pay your cost-sharing responsibilities in full on or before the date that Services are provided. Pediatric Surgery Center’s financial assistance policies are that if you are unable to pay your cost-sharing responsibilities in full on or before the date that Services are provided, because you believe you are medically indigent or you are not covered by any health insurance or HMO, then upon request Pediatric Surgery Centers, in its sole discretion, may offer you a discount on the amount due and/or offer a payment plan. Any such discount is considered by Pediatric Surgery Centers to be “charity care.” There is no formal application process for obtaining “charity care” at Pediatric Surgery Centers. Pediatric Surgery Center's standard collection policy is to produce and send one or more bills to patients for their cost sharing amount.

  • Good Faith Estimate

    • Upon your request, and before the provision of non-emergency care at Pediatric Surgery Centers, you can receive a good faith estimate of anticipated charges for the treatment of your condition at Pediatric Surgery Centers. This estimate must be provided to you within seven (7) days of the request being received by Pediatric Surgery Centers. You should contact your insurer or health maintenance organization regarding your cost-sharing responsibilities. You may request and obtain a Good Faith Estimate by calling Pediatric Surgery Centers at 813-490-6100

  • Itemized Bill

    •  Upon request and after discharge from Pediatric Surgery Centers we will provide a statement within 7 working days of your request. 

  • Provider Disclosure

    • Services may be provided in this health care facility by Pediatric Surgery Centers as well as by other health care providers who may separately bill the patient and who may or may not participate with the same health insurers or health maintenance organizations as Pediatric Surgery Centers.  You may request a more personalized estimate of charges from these other health care providers by contacting the health care providers directly. Pediatric Surgery Centers  may contract with providers for pathology and anesthesiology services; these services are billed separately from Pediatric Surgery Centers for their services.  You may contact these providers through their contact information provided below.

  • Pediatric Surgery Centers Providers:

  • Before surgery 

  • How can I find a surgeon for my child’s procedure?
    • You can see all of our surgeons on our Meet the Staff page. In order to schedule an appointment for your child’s procedure, you will need to contact your surgeon’s office directly.
  • How is the schedule determined?
    • Typically operations start at 7:30 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. We consider several factors when scheduling procedures: type of procedure, medical conditions, age of child, developmental delays, etc. We will do our best to work with you, but please note that special requests may not be accommodated.
  • Why do we have to arrive earlier than our procedure time?
    • There are some paperwork and financial aspects that need to be taken care of the day of surgery. Once you are called back into our preoperative area we will need to take vital signs and review your child’s medical history. In order to ensure that the schedule runs smoothly for all our patients we ask that you please arrive at the time given to you by the preoperative nurse.
  • Will my child have an IV?
    • Certain procedures do require an IV. If your child does require an IV it will be placed after your child has been given anesthesia and is asleep. There are no shots or “ouchies” prior to anesthesia.
  • Will I see my child’s surgeon before they go into the operating room?
    • Yes, you will have a chance to speak with both your child’s surgeon and anesthesiologist prior to surgery. When the procedure is finished, the surgeon will speak with you again about the results of the surgery.
  • What does “no food or drink” before surgery mean … really?
    • We do everything in our power to ensure your child has the safest experience possible, for this reason the preoperative nurse will tell you when on the day before surgery your child will have to stop eating and drinking. It is important that you follow these instructions or your surgery could be delayed or rescheduled to ensure your child’s safety.
  • What should I do if my child is sick the day of the procedure?
    • If your child is ill, please call the surgery center and speak with your preoperative nurse. They will be able to best advise you whether your child’s procedure will need to be rescheduled.
  • What should we bring the day of surgery?
    • In accordance with new state mandates, our facility is required to obtain your child's social security number and include it in data reports. If you did not provide it online, please bring the number and/or card with you on your child's day of surgery, along with your Driver's license and insurance card.
    • In most cases, we have children go back to the operating room in their own clothing. Please bring any comfort items your child may have (blanket, pacifier, stuffed animal, “lovey,” etc.,) as these will be allowed to accompany them throughout the entire process. Please bring your regular diaper bag with extra diapers and formula for when the procedure is over. If your child has any specialty medical equipment please speak directly with medical staff the day prior to surgery to ensure you bring all appropriate items.
  • Who can bring my child for surgery?
    • A biological or adoptive parent must accompany the child the day of surgery. In cases where neither are available, appropriate court documentation must be provided. It is the responsibility of the legal guardian to ensure these documents are available on the day of surgery. In certain cases, a signed and notarized medical power of attorney may be accepted. If proper documentation is not provided we will be unable to operate on your child.

 

Day of surgery

 

  • Should I give my child their medicine before surgery?
    • If your child takes medicine daily please speak with the preoperative nurse the day before about your child’s medicine. The nurse will be able to advise you which medicines to give and which ones should be postponed until after surgery.
  • Can I go back with my child until they are asleep?
    • When your child is taken to the O.R. by our caring team, caregivers will be shown to the Family Waiting Room, where the surgeon will come and speak with you once the surgery is over. Once your child is awake and comfortable and it is deemed safe, you will be taken to Phase 2 Recovery and reunited.
  • Can I leave the building and return during my child’s procedure?
    • At least one caregiver to remain in the building throughout your child’s procedure. (Yes, this includes going out for lunch or a smoke break.) Please bring a second adult if necessary.
  • How many people are allowed in the Phase 2 recovery room?
    • In order to maintain a quiet, calm and safe environment for your child, we limit recovery room visitors to two guardians at a time. No other children or siblings are allowed at this time.
  • How long will we need to stay after my child’s procedure?
    • It is our top priority to make sure your child is discharged safely. Each surgery has a required length of stay and a discharge criteria. The preoperative nurse will discuss discharge criteria for your child’s procedure during the preoperative call.
  • There’s blood in my child’s IV. Is that normal?  
    • A small amount of blood visible in the IV is normal. It usually means that the nurse has “turned off” the IV drip. The IV remains in place until discharge in case the child needs further fluids.
  • Is his penis supposed to look like that?
    • Yes, some swelling of the tip of the penis is normal. Bleeding that soaks into the diaper is not normal. Please call your surgeon’s office is this occurs.
  • Why are my child’s eyes all red?
    • To prevent injury or drying of the eye, your child’s eyes are gently taped shut during most surgeries. This may cause skin around the eye to appear red and puffy. It is normal and will not last.
  • Why are my child’s eyes puffy?
    • Many of our surgeries involve the head and neck and swelling may occur. Puffiness around the eyes may also be caused by extra fluids from the IV or from the protective tape we use to close a child’s eyes before surgery.  
  • Can my child talk after tonsillectomy?
    • Yes! Tonsil surgery does not affect the vocal cords and your child can talk.
  • Why is my child crying?
    • Children of different ages cry for different reasons, but the majority of children are crying due to separation from primary caregivers and anxiety. You can reassure your child by staying calm and letting them know that you are there and that they are safe.
      Some age groups may become emotional or tearful from the effects of anesthesia on our emotional centers of the brain.
  • Why is my child acting funny?
    • Your child may seem “glassy-eyed” or be crying differently than usual in recovery. This is normal and is usually due to anxiety or the effects of anesthesia. Your calm reassurance will help your child feel better.
  • Can my child eat immediately after discharge?
    • We do not recommend stopping for food on the way home. Motion and anesthesia may cause nausea and vomiting. If you plan to fast with your child, we recommend you enjoy a bagel or snack in our Family Waiting Room to keep your strength up.
  • May we take this blanket home?
    • We’re so glad families like our blankets, but please leave them here. Our linens are cleaned and reused.

 

After surgery

  • Can you fax my child’s prescription?
    • No, we cannot fax prescriptions. If your child needs continued medication, you will receive a prescription on prescription paper. This can be filled at the pharmacy of your choice.
  • Will there be special instructions to care for my child after surgery?
    • You will receive instructions from the surgeon after your child’s procedure. If you have questions once your child is home, please contact your surgeon’s office.
  • How long before my child can return to school?  
    • Your doctor will recommend time off from school. The usual time off can be found on your child’s discharge instructions, and we will provide a school/daycare/work note.
  • Does my child need ear plugs to shower?
    • No, after surgery involving the ears children will need ear plugs only when swimming or if immersed in a bath.

 

General questions about Pediatric Surgery Centers

  • Do you have phone chargers on site?
    • No, we do not have phone chargers.
  • Where are you located?
    • We have two locations, and with our helpful Google Maps feature they’re both easy to find.  
  • How can I make an appointment?
    • All appointments are made through your surgeon’s office. To find a surgeon for your child’s upcoming procedure, see our Meet the Staff page.

 

 

 

 

In order to schedule an appointment for your child’s procedure, you will need to contact your surgeon’s office directly.

Contact our office today