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 |  | With Insurance: Copays typically $10-$30 per visit |  | Without Insurance: Averages $668 the First Year |
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Well baby doctor visits are regular exams during the first years of life, in which a pediatrician checks a baby for proper development and addresses the new parents' questions and concerns. During the first year, six visits are recommended: first at two to four days, then at one, two, four, six, nine and twelve months of age. The National Institutes of Health[1] offers an overview of well baby doctor visits.
Typical costs: |
- Without health insurance, a full year of the recommended seven well baby visits costs an average of $668 total -- or just over $95 per visit -- according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Immunizations for the first year cost at least $620 extra and usually are covered by health insurance.
- Well baby visits are almost always covered by group health insurance -- in 97 percent of cases with PPOs and 99 percent of cases with HMOs -- according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation[2] . However, some insurance policies require that the baby be added to the insurance plan within a certain time frame -- usually by one month after birth, so check with your provider.
- For patients covered by insurance, out-of-pocket costs, usually copays, typically range from $10 to $30 per visit, depending on the plan.
Related articles: Baby Immunizations, Postpartum Maternity Checkup, Prenatal Care, Ultrasound, Baby Delivery
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What should be included: |
- During the first well baby visit, the doctor will weigh and measure the baby to check growth; check eyesight and hearing; check for common problems such as diaper rash or the flaky scalp known as "cradle cap"; and look at umbilical cord stump or wound and, if necessary, administer a hepatitis shot. Subsequent visits will include immunizations, measurement of the head to check brain growth, addressing concerns about child safety and common health issues such as colds, croup, ear infections and diarrhea.
- At well baby visits, the doctor usually will ask about the baby's sleeping, eating and bowel habits and development markers, such as whether the baby can hold its head up or quiets at the sound of the parent's voice. The answers allow the doctor to make sure the baby's development is progressing on schedule.
- BabyCenter.com[3] has detailed lists of what to expect at each well baby visit.
Additional costs: |
- It is not uncommon for a baby to become ill in the first year of life, so additional doctor visits might be necessary.
Discounts: |
- The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services[4] offers information on low-cost or free health insurance for uninsured children in qualifying families. This insurance can be used for well baby visits.
Shopping for a well baby doctor visit: |
- Most parents choose a doctor who is a pediatrician, which means they have graduated from medical school and had an additional three years' residency in pediatrics. It is recommended to find a pediatrician before the baby is born.
- To find a pediatrician, ask a friend or family member for a referral. Or, the American Academy of Pediatrics offers a pediatrician locator service by state.
- When you find a prospective pediatrician, check credentials to make sure the doctor is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics or the American Board of Family Medicine[5] .
- It also is a good idea to meet your prospective pediatrician face-to-face. Observe the waiting room and ask questions about background, areas of interest, how the doctor can be reached after-hours in an emergency, how many doctors are in the office, whether the child will be able to see the same doctor for well and sick visits and how long a typical appointment lasts. WebMD.com[6] offers a guide to selecting a pediatrician.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. For medical decisions, always consult your physician for the right course for your infant or child.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: Adam W in Castro Valley, CA. | Posted: July 23rd, 2023 08:07PM |
1 year check-up with standard immunizations. Lapsed plan in-between jobs and the hospital was not willing to schedule a couple of weeks earlier to avoid the issue..
$274 appointment alone, then rest for less than 30 minutes of measurements, wellness discussions and shots. |
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| Posted by: Momof1 in Elkhorn, WI. | Posted: March 14th, 2020 03:03PM |
3 shots and standard 15 month check in.
Hib-$100
Pneumococcal-$365
Dtap- $88
Preventative visit-$422
It costs over $400 to weigh, and measure height and head?
What really gets me is that billing is refusing to negotiate at all. |
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| Posted by: Constantine Makro in Fairfield, CT. | Posted: June 12th, 2018 02:06PM |
I paid over 10,000 without insurance due to my baby having to visit an specialist for his first year of life ! |
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| Posted by: Mimi7 in Topeka, KS. | Posted: February 7th, 2018 10:02AM |
Well child visit and 6 shots. I am trying to see what insurance did cover and am not happy how high this bill is just because of the shots. $155 just for the visit alone. |
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| Posted by: Marisa santos in Highland, NY. | Posted: October 30th, 2017 05:10AM |
It's for sick vitsts chargers and immunization |
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| Posted by: LV Mom in Las Vegas, NV. | Posted: June 10th, 2014 12:06PM |
Scary looking at the cost ! $160 for so called professional services. Immunization drugs(6) and the $30 per each .. ( rediculous fee considering the doc just put a few drops in the baby mouth for one imm. ). So far 2 visits @ 750 each. Glad I do have insurance that covered the visits. But the costs are just scary . |
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| Posted by: Lo-lo in Port Arthur, TX. | Posted: August 3rd, 2013 06:08AM |
Just ran across this.
As a former Pedi Nurse I have to say that Pediatricians Offices are preparing your child for the real world and monitoring them during the early stages. It probably was cheaper back in the day, but medicine is much more different. Early Childhood monitoring and prevention is priceless. |
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| Posted by: Angelo in College Park, MD. | Posted: April 18th, 2013 09:04PM |
Visit with 5 vaccines cost $845. Looks like there is a fee to administer the vaccines included, plus an additional fee for extra vaccines. One of the more expensive vaccines was the oral rotovirus. |
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| Posted by: Sara-Mom of 2 in Granger, IN. | Posted: January 16th, 2013 11:01AM |
We have good Insurance, but we still have to meet a deductable at the beginning of the year. I switched doctors for our son, who was born last April. We have been paying $600-$800 per visit with shots, and $134 for just a visit. I think it's nuts! We end up paying about $90 of it, but it's still crazy! I can't get shots at my local health department anymore, because I have insurance and they charge almost as much as my office. My kiddo has asthma and allergies, so we are constantly at the doctor. I paid $60 in one week for 3 appointment, and that was with my insurance... |
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| Posted by: jc from hacienda heights, ca in Hacienda. Heights, CA. | Posted: April 6th, 2012 09:04AM |
It's true, you can get free immunization shots at a local community center. I had a lapse in coverage for my two-month old, and did not realize that he was not insured at his two month check up. The doctors office did not do an eligibility check, so I was charged $945 by this pediatrician. Outrageous! If I would have known he was not insured, or if the staff would have known, we would have refused service that day gone or gone to the local health center for the four
free shots. I tried to fight it or get it reduced but to no avail. |
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| Posted by: Mock Rock Star in Atlanta, GA. | Posted: February 11th, 2011 09:02AM |
@old in Dallas, TX
First off it's not 1845 when U raised your children Grandmother, so the medicines, the environment and yes even the way our bodies are structured has "evolved" somewhat. Now the doctors do overcharge at times and matter of fact, Grandma, it was during Nixon times when the Health Insurance business began their raping of the American system so when it gets down to us new parents who were born in the 70's, well things have gotten screwed up. In the future Grandma, if U are going to give some advice try to do it in a non-condenscending way...ok |
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| Posted by: mom of 2 grown children, grandmom of a 1 year old in Dallas, TX. | Posted: July 21st, 2010 10:07AM |
This is truly insane. Why didn't you get the shots at your local health department for about $20.00? As far as the check-up, only take the child when you suspect a problem or the child is really sick. Use some common sense. |
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| Posted by: Rinda in Topeka, KS. | Posted: October 1st, 2009 07:10PM |
I think my doctor is billing me for tomuch. My 5 yr old last visit with 5 shots was $825. Both of my kids have never had a wcc for less than $525. i have complained to my doctor and BCBS of Ks. It outrageous! |
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External Resources: |
- www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001928.htm
- kff.org/medicaid/report/struggling-with-financing-the-recession-and-national-healt...
- www.babycenter.com/0_doctor-visits-for-your-babys-first-year_66.bc
- www.insurekidsnow.gov/
- /www.theabfm.org
- www.webmd.com/baby/shopping-for-a-pediatrician
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