Truth be told, there’s no precise age for kids to stop seeing a pediatrician.
Pediatricians treat kids from birth to around 18 years of age, though some continue to see their patients through college and beyond. But just because a pediatrician can see patients into early adulthood, it doesn’t mean they’re the right long-term doctor for every child.
What factors do you need to consider before making the switch? And if you’re a parent or guardian, how do you help prepare your child for managing their care when they reach adulthood? Read on to get answers to these questions and more.
When it may be time to switch from a pediatrician to a family doctor
Pediatricians specialize in kids’ health. But as children get older, their medical needs start to change, and you may wonder when they should make the switch to a family doctor or another primary care clinician.
The right time to switch doctors depends on a number of things, including your child’s preference, their health needs and their development.
What to consider before switching from a pediatrician to a family doctor or another type of clinician
As their parent, you can help your child understand what they need from a doctor so they can confidently make their own health decisions as they grow into young adulthood. Here are some factors to consider when looking to make a switch.
1. Your child’s comfort and preferences
When it comes to personal preference, all kids are unique. There are 11-year-olds who can’t wait to escape the cartoonish or whimsical décor of the pediatrician’s office. And there are young adults who love their pediatricians so much that they want to see them for as long as possible.
While there isn’t a set age to switch from a pediatrician to a doctor that primarily sees adults, it’s a change that will happen eventually. So it makes sense for you, your child and your child’s pediatrician to start having the conversation around the biggest time of change in a kid’s life, puberty.
But if you feel like your child has outgrown their pediatrician, now may be the time to discuss seeing someone new. Even if they’re not 18 yet, it’s important to let your child lead the decision so they can feel empowered to manage their own health. Help your child weigh the pros and cons of switching to a new doctor. Do your best to answer their questions and provide the information they need so they can feel confident in their decision.
2. Convenience, ease of scheduling and care
Change can be overwhelming for people of all ages, especially kids! When they’re young, it’s easier for you to schedule your child’s appointments and handle their medical records. But as your child grows, so does their autonomy around health care. Things that will set them up for an easier transition into adulthood include helping them define which characteristics they value in a doctor, their health plan benefits and services, how to know if the care they need is in network, how to make an appointment, and where to get appropriate care for different health concerns.
3. Insurance coverage
Understanding what’s covered by your health insurance plan is important for every adult. As your child approaches young adulthood, make sure they know what common health insurance terms mean, including in-network vs. out-of-network, copays and deductibles. It can also be helpful to give them a tour of websites or other resources to identify in-network providers.
That way, when it comes time for your child to fully take charge of their health, they’ll have the know-how needed to learn what services are covered, what they’re expected to pay and how to choose the most affordable care options for them.
4. Whether your child has a chronic condition or disability
If your child has a chronic condition that they’re managing, such as asthma, it may make sense for your child to stay with their primary doctor beyond the age of 18 or to transition gradually to someone who cares for adults and kids. This is because their doctor is familiar with their condition, and a new doctor may take more time to understand your child’s history.
As your child gets older, you can ask their pediatrician to recommend a doctor like a Med-Peds that has experience treating adult patients with similar conditions. A Med-Peds doctor specializes in both pediatrics and internal medicine (adult medicine) and they often have a special interest in transitions of care for children and young adults with chronic conditions.
If your child has intellectual or developmental disabilities, it’s common to stay with their pediatrician into adulthood, but not necessary. As with any adult, the type of care they receive should be based on individual need, not determined by age.
Most primary care clinicians are experienced in routine care such as sexual health, pelvic exams and Pap tests. But when a girl gets her first period, you could choose to see a women’s health specialist in addition to a pediatrician or family doctor. Women’s health specialists like OB-GYNs are experts in female reproductive health, so they can go into more depth about these parts of the body and how to take care of health during and after puberty.
Your child might have questions about her health that she doesn’t feel comfortable asking a parent. A doctor can answer questions about her reproductive system, menstruation, pregnancy, birth control and how to best protect herself against sexually transmitted infections.
And because female reproductive organs are complex, there are other issues that your child may deal with, such as delayed menstruation and painful periods. A women’s health specialist is often the best type of doctor to manage these concerns. Your child’s pediatrician can connect you to a women’s health specialist if you aren’t sure how to choose one.
How to prepare your child for making their own health care decisions
You’re responsible for making health care choices for your child until they turn 18. After that point, they can legally make health decisions on their own.
Learning to be responsible for their health care is an important skill for every young adult. Getting your child ready for adult care starts well before their 18th birthday. Here are some ways to help them prepare:
- As your child moves into their teenage years, give them opportunities to talk about what care they need. During appointments try not to talk for them, unless your teen asks you to.
- Respect their opinions about treatment options whenever possible. That doesn’t mean letting them squirm their way out of necessary things like flu shots. But if your child says a medication makes them feel gross, encourage them to talk to the pediatrician about alternatives or ways to minimize the side effects.
- Support their growing independence by giving them private time to speak with their doctor. At our clinics, starting around age 12, we typically give children the opportunity to have one-on-one time with a doctor while their parents wait in the lobby.
When it’s time for your child to receive treatment as an adult, whether that’s at age 18 or after college, guide them through the process. Give them the chance to meet with potential doctors, help them understand insurance and coverage, and explain how to get care for their unique health condition.
Is it time to switch to another doctor or clinician? We can help you find one.
There isn’t a set age for your child to stop seeing their pediatrician. Every child is different. What’s most important is listening to what your child wants and empowering them to learn about their health, so when they reach adulthood, they’re set up for success.
