Office Policies

Tell the front desk about insurance changes before the visit and bring a current insurance card every time. MAPP verifies coverage before the visit. If active coverage cannot be verified, the family is responsible for the visit. See Insurance & Billing for participating plans and more detail.

Copays and any unpaid balance are due at the time of service. Coinsurance, deductibles, and unpaid copays are billed to the guarantor. Statements are sent monthly by USPS and are also available in the patient portal. Any unpaid balance is due before an office appointment.

Families experiencing financial hardship may call the shared billing department to discuss an individualized payment plan. A valid credit card is required, and payment plans cannot be made by cash or check. Uninsured or self-pay patients may request a good-faith estimate for scheduled care. Federal law also provides protections from certain surprise out-of-network bills. See Insurance & Billing and the CMS consumer guide.

MAPP requires at least 24 hours’ notice when rescheduling or cancelling an appointment. The practice reserves the right to charge a $75 fee for a missed appointment or a cancellation with less than 24 hours’ notice, particularly when there is a pattern of missed visits. Call the office if an unforeseen circumstance arises. See Appointments for scheduling options.

A current well-child visit may be required before a form can be completed. Please plan ahead and allow 7–10 business days. Expedited availability differs by practice, so review the Metro and THH details below. Current forms are available in Patient Forms.

Vaccinating your child is one of the most important responsibilities we share in preventing serious illness and promoting health and wellness throughout your child’s life.

We firmly believe in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines and recommend following the schedule adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics. These vaccines have been developed through many years of research and scientific study. Because vaccines have been extraordinarily effective at preventing diseases such as polio, tetanus, measles, bacterial meningitis, and chickenpox, most parents have never witnessed the consequences of these illnesses. Declining vaccination can allow serious infections to return.

Based on available data, scientific research, and evidence-based medicine, we believe there is no association between vaccines and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other developmental disabilities. Thimerosal, a preservative used in vaccines for decades and still present in only a few vaccines, has not been shown to cause ASD or other developmental disabilities.

Although we strongly recommend timely vaccination according to the AAP schedule, we recognize that parents and guardians make decisions for their children. We welcome questions and seek to discuss concerns respectfully. We must also follow evidence-based medicine and public health guidance to protect your child, other patients, and people who are especially vulnerable to serious illness.

For these reasons, MAPP cannot accept families who do not intend to vaccinate their children according to the recommended schedule. Delaying vaccines or separating them into additional visits is not supported by scientific evidence, can create unnecessary delays and errors, and may put children and adults at risk of serious illness. It is therefore against our medical advice. If a family ultimately chooses not to follow timely vaccination recommendations after discussing concerns with us, they may be asked to establish care with another healthcare provider.

We share this policy with compassion because we believe vaccination is deeply important. We are always available to discuss questions or concerns. Visit Vaccines & Immunizations for additional information.