The most important element to ensuring that your child grows up to be healthy and strong in their adult years is to make sure that they get the proper health care they need when they are infants and toddlers. For those with insurance that concern is easily taken care of by the insurance coverage that you are offered. However, many parents do not have personal insurance and do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. Luckily, for those parents there are clinics throughout the country known as well-baby clinics that will make sure your child is healthy and developing properly.
Well-baby clinics are governmental clinics that are funded through the use of tax payer dollars. This allows the clinic to take care of children of families that might not be able to pay or cannot afford the care of a private doctor. In most cases a sliding scale for services is provided and no infant will be turned away from the clinic.
Here is a look at some of the services that are provided by a well-baby clinic.
Immunizations. Immunizations are provided through a well-baby clinic. Parents can get their child immunized from all the typical childhood diseases such as chicken pox, measles, mumps, rubella and hepatitis B. The clinic will also notify the families when these immunizations need to be updated or shots are scheduled.
Preventative Care. The clinic will also offer some type of preventative care treatment. They will track the child’s growth, make sure there are no developmental delays or muscle growth problems. The child’s vision, hearing and other areas will also be checked for any potential problems. Check-ups will be scheduled for when the child reaches the ages of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and then at 9 and 12.
Referral Service. The clinic can also refer the parents to other community programs that can help with food, nutritional needs and other support that the family might need.