Answers to Common Questions for Urological Conditions and Treatments
The pediatric urology team at Cincinnati Children’s provides these responses to questions commonly asked by parents.
Frequently Asked Questions
A surgeon devoted to the care of children. He or she has completed a residency in an approved urology training program, has completed a formal fellowship in pediatric urology and is board-certified / eligible in urology.
If you think your child needs surgery or your primary care doctor has referred your child to urology for surgery, call to schedule a preoperative evaluation with one of our urologists. You can reach the call center at 513-636-4975, option 1, or 1-800-344-2462, ext. 4975, option 1.
Before a surgery is scheduled, the pediatric urologist must examine your child to evaluate the need for surgery and the best procedure for your child. Once the pediatric urologist has examined your child, he will explain the surgery procedure and the benefits and risks.
If you decide to go ahead with the surgery, the pediatric urologist’s surgery scheduler will arrange a date and time with you. Once you have been given a surgery date, you may call that surgery scheduler if you need to change the date or you have questions. The scheduler will give you a packet of information with phone numbers to reach the scheduling office directly.
We will need to register your child at his or her first appointment. Please arrive a few minutes early for registration and bring your insurance cards, BCMH letter (if applicable) and co-pay with you.
When it is your child’s turn to be seen, a nurse or patient care assistant will record your child’s weight, height and blood pressure. Your child may be asked to urinate in a cup privately in a bathroom. In an exam room, the nurse will ask you questions about your child’s history and medications. The urologist or nurse practitioner will meet you and your child in the exam room. The urologist or nurse practitioner will review your child’s history and your concerns.
Next, the urologist or nurse practitioner will examine your child, focusing on the abdomen, pelvic and outer genital area. The examination will be gentle and non-invasive with respect for your child’s emotional concerns. Once the exam is complete, the urologist or nurse practitioner will discuss recommendations and options for treatment with you and your child. You will have a chance to ask questions and make your own decisions about the best treatment.
Please be aware that many caregivers from other services see patients in our office, so your child may not be called in the order of arrival. You will be seen in order of your appointment time with your care provider.
To schedule an appointment with the Division of Urology at Cincinnati Children’s, phone our call center, 513-636-4975, option 1, or 1-800-344-2462, ext. 4975, option 1.
Some insurance companies require a referral to a specialist from your primary care physician. It is your responsibility to arrange the referral before your child’s appointment.
Depending on your child’s diagnosis, we may require testing before your child’s first pediatric urology appointment. These tests should be ordered by your child’s primary care physician. If testing is needed, your primary care physician will be contacted.
Our physicians think it is better to give the baby time to grow before doing surgery that is not urgent.
Yes. We commonly treat patients from across the nation and international locations.
You will need to make arrangements with your insurance company for authorization. Our office can assist you with these insurance and financial arrangements.
Yes. Online second opinions are available to families and patients outside the Greater Cincinnati area (southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana). A specialist from the urology team will review your case and answer specific questions about a diagnosis or treatment options. It’s easy, convenient, and secure. Our case manager will collect your medical records and guide you through the process.
Online second opinions are typically not covered by insurance and cost $850. There may be additional fees if a radiology or pathology specialist needs to review your records. The program is not available in all areas or for every patient, we will work with you to make sure it’s appropriate for you.
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