Your Child's Visit: Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral from my primary care clinician?

• We strongly prefer that you have a referral from your primary care clinician. You may need a referral for insurance purposes. The referral helps us coordinate your treaetment If your primary care clinicians are in the Stanford network, please ask them to refer you either via the MD Portal or Stanford Medicine Children's Health Referral Center: Referrals

I received a referral from my child's primary care cinician. What happens next?

• An Intake Coordinator will reach out to you within two weeks via MyChart, phone, or email to discuss your child’s referral.  If we do not connect with you, please call us at 650-725-8995.  If we are unable to connect with you within 30 days, the referral may be cancelled. 

Does my child qualify for your services?

Here are the criteria for becoming a patient within our clinics:

• Age: New patients should be less than 13 years of age at the time of the referral.
• Previous evaluations: We offer initial evaluations or first opinions of your child. Given our long wait list, we do not provide second opinions.
• Location: We limit our services to patients and families living in California, and prefer patients from Central and Northern California. We may be able to help you find a qualified clinician if you live in another part of California, another state, or another country. 
• Special circumstances:
  • We evaluate children over the age of 6 with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) after the primary care clinician begins the evaluation and treatment plan. We evaluate children without a primary care clinician's initial evaluation if the child has special circumstances, such as age less than 6 years, another developmental or behavior condition (Autism, Learning Disorders, anxiety, or depression). We evaluate children for whom the primary care clinician's plan is not successfully treating the condition.
  • We do not evaluate children of any age with learning disabilities unless their learning condition is based on a medical condition or an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) is in place and academic goals have not been met. 
  • Children under the care of a psychiatrist: We do not evaluate children under the care of a psychiatrist without advance communication between the treating psychiatrist and the DBP department.
  • Children with conditions such as severe depression, severe mood disorder, or suicidal thoughts or attempts. These children should get their help and care from a child psychiatrist.
  • We do not offer second opinions if another physician has diagnosed a child with autism. We evaluate children who have not yet receieved a medical diagnosis or a child with a diagnosis with specific issues or questions. 

Will I be asked to complete any questionnaires or surveys prior to the visit?

• Yes. Parent and teacher questionnaires help us schedule your child with the right clinician. The information also helps us prepare for your visit. 

Why do I need to obtain information from my child's school or teachers?

• Educational feedback gives us valuable information about your child's development and behavior outside the home. This information allows the clinicians to plan a better visit. If your child has had any educational testing, we must know which tests were given to be sure we can complete an assessment.

How long do I have to wait for an appointment?

• Depending on your child's age, you will be placed on a waitlist. Wait times are generally 4 to 6 months. We will then contact you with an appointment date that is normally scheduled within a 4 to 8 week period. 

Will my child be seen in person or by video?

• We offer in clinic and video visits. Video visits allow the clinician to collect information in the child's natural environment. In-clinic visits allow physical examinations if necessary. Children under age 6 may start with a video appointment, followed by an in-person appointment if medically necessary. Children over age 6 will be seen both in person and by video visit. 

Preparing for in-clinic visit

• Bring copy of insurance card and ID
• Arrive 15 minutes in advance for check in
• Please bring your child's favorite toys so that the child can play while the adults talk. Consider bringing snacks.
• Medications- please check with the Intake staff about whether yoour child should attend the visit on medication.
• We appreciate when both parents can attend the visit. 

Preparing for a telehealth visit

• Click here for how to prepare for your child's video visit: Telehealth Instructions

Will I receive a written report?

• Yes. You may receive an After Visit Summary with the major diagnoses and recommendations within 1-2 days of the visit. Your clinicians will prepare a detailed written report within approximately 2 weeks of the visit.

How will I get the written report of my visit?

• If you have MyChart for your child, the report is sent through MyChart.
• If you do not have MyChart, you will receive the report by the US Postal Service. Please allow 1 to 2 weeks for the report to arrive by mail. 

What do I do if my child was referred to other services at Stanford Medicine Children's Health?

• Your doctor will submit an internal referral to the other services. The specialty service will contact you directly. If you have not heard from them within 2 weeks, please give them a call. Contact numbers can be found here: General Phone List

What do I do if my child is referred to other clinicians who are not affiliated with Stanford Medicine Children's Health?

• If your doctor refers you to a community-based specialty, the specialty will then contact you. If they have not called you after three weeks, please call them directly. Their contact information can be found on your diagnostic report. We may ask you for permission to share your diagnostic report with them. 

Can I choose my own provider for the recommended referral?

• Of course. You may contact your chosen provider directly for services. Please give them a copy of your diagnostic report and the treatment prescriptions so they can prepare for your visit. 

If I am referred for further diagnositc testing, such as genetic testing, will I need insurance authorization?

• Most insurance plans require you to get permission in advance (called "prior authorization") for diagnostic testing, such as genetic testing. Genetic tests are very expensive without insurance coverage. We will submit a request for prior authorization to your insurance company. Once the tests are approved (this can take 1-3 months) you will get instructions from our team on what to do next.

How do I get the results of diagnostic or genetic tests?

• Once the clinician has reviewed the results, you will recive the final report electronically or by mail. If the results are positive, you will receive a call from the clinician directly. If this call is unssuccessful, a message will be sent to you via MyChart.

Will my child have a follow-up visit?

• The decision to have a return visit is made by your doctor based on what they think is best for you and your family.

How can I make a follow-up appointment?

• You can call us at 650-725-8995 or you can send a MyChart message.