Pediatric Telemedicine for The Birds Nest Children
Get StartedBefore You Start…
You must always check to see if the child has a completed telemedicine authorization form in their file. If the child does not have a completed telemedicine authorization form you cannot use this service for them. A visit with Montana Pediatrics is not in replacement of a primary care physician and in no way serves to make any healthcare decisions on behalf of any child at The Birds Nest.You can use this service any time the child is in The Birds Nest care during the hours of availability:Monday – Thursday8:30am – 3:30pmFriday8:00am – 5:00pm
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this used for?
When you have a true concern about symptoms or a behavior a child is displaying that makes you question whether a child can stay in school or not, you can connect with a pediatric provider for support.
What conditions/concerns can this help with?
Anything you feel might make you question if the child should stay in school or not. Common concerns include things like a cough, runny nose, eye discharge, vomiting, nausea, skin rash, bug bites, and minor injuries. If the child is experiencing a true medical emergency, follow The Birds Nest protocol.
Do I join the visit? Does the child’s guardian?
Yes! You will contact the child’s guardian based on the preference indicated on the child’s completed telemedicine authorization form. Some parents will want to be notified before a visit is requested, some may just want the link to join, and others will not want to be contacted until after the visit or only if their child needs to be picked up.
What are the intended outcomes of these visits?
To Support Parents
- By determining if the child truly needs to be picked up early from care
- With a healthcare provider’s lens in determining illness, injury, contagiousness, etc.
- With necessary prescriptions to advance the speed of care without requiring any additional forms of in-person care (when appropriate)
- With a “doctor’s note” should they need it to share with their employers
To Support Our Staff
- With measures to care for the child if they are able to stay at school
- With the support from a health care provider’s lens in determining if a child is well or if there is concern for illness, injury, contagiousness, etc.
- With support in communicating with the parent should the child need to be picked up and taken home early
- With true, evidence-based communication around when a sick child can return to childcare
Do we need to know if the child has health insurance to use this?
No! This service is run completely separate from health insurance. It is a service offered by, with, and through The Birds Nest while children are in your care.
Will a parent receive a bill from Montana Pediatrics if we use this service?
No! Families of The Birds Nest who’s children have a visit during school hours will never receive a bill for care from Montana Pediatrics or their individual health insurer because it is a service offered through The Birds Nest.
Can parents use this on their own?
YES! Any family in Montana can access care from Montana Pediatrics’ on-demand care program. If a parent accesses care directly through Montana Pediatrics when they are home with their child, they can include their health insurance information and may receive a bill for care. Montana Pediatrics also has a generous financial assistance policy for any family seeking care for their child, which can be found at montanapediatrics.org/financial-assistance. The $0 ability to request care during the day is only for The Birds Nest students when accessed by a member of The Birds Nest team.
Who are the providers?
Montana Pediatrics uses pediatric-specific providers, many of whom are from the Flathead Valley but who practice and live across the state. You can see all active providers here.
