Sauguatuck Pediatrics Travel Consultation Policy
Traveling to a foreign country is an exciting and enriching endeavor. You’ll experience a different culture and have the opportunity to try different foods and meet new people. However, you may also be exposed to infections and diseases that are not common in the United States. At Saugatuck Pediatrics we offer travel consultations to help ensure your children are well protected and healthy during your trip.
Setting Up a Travel Appointment
Please fill out this travel consultation form and questionnaire and submit. Once your information has been received, we will contact you to set up a consultation appointment. Please allow at least five business days for us to review your travel form prior to your appointment. Your appointment should be scheduled at least 4 – 6 weeks before you travel so that there is adequate time for vaccines to be given and for the vaccinations to take effect.
What to Expect During Your Appointment
Travel consultations take approximately 15 minutes. During that time, your provider will discuss the conditions you may be exposed to during your trip, what you can do to protect yourself and your family, and what treatments are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other organizations. Vaccinations and prescriptions for malarial drugs and oral typhoid will be given if necessary. For vaccines not available at our office, we will refer you to a specialty travel clinic that administers the recommended vaccines.
Fees and Insurance
We will bill your insurance company for the consultation and for any vaccinations given, but please note that many insurance companies will not pay for travel consultations and non-routine vaccinations, such as those that are given solely for the purpose of travel (like Rabies and Typhoid). Please call your insurance before your visit if you have any questions about coverage.
You are responsible for paying any charges not covered by your insurance. In the event your insurance does not provide travel coverage, you will be responsible for payment of the following non-covered service at a discounted rate:
o Office consultation
o Administration fee for each non-routine vaccine given for travel
o Injectable typhoid vaccine (if available)
Vaccines:
Below are vaccines typically considered routine care that may be needed for travel. You can check your child’s current vaccine status via the patient portal:
· Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis (DTaP, Tdap, Td)
· Haemophilus Influenza Type B Conjugate (Hib)
· Hepatitis A (HepA)
· Hepatitis B (HepB) Influenza Vaccine
· Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
· Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV)
· Pneumococcal (Prevnar)
· Poliovirus (IPV)
· Rotavirus
· Varicella (Chickenpox)
Examples of Non-Routine Vaccines often required for travel which may not be covered by insurance:
· Typhoid (oral can be prescribed, injectable needs to be either ordered from a pharmacy or given at a travel clinic)
· Japanese Encephalitis*
· Rabies*
· Yellow Fever*
*These vaccines are not available at Saugatuck Pediatrics; if any of these vaccines are needed for your travels please contact one of the following specialty travel clinics:
PASSPORT HEALTH or WESTON/WESTPORT DEPT OF HEALTH
Prescriptions for Travel Medications
If indicated, a prescription for travel medications such as anti-malarial or oral Typhoid vaccine will be given at the time of your consultation. Please check with your insurance company to determine if you have coverage for these medications.