UPMC for Kids Access to Primary Care Providers
UPMC for Kids’ large provider network gives your children easy access to award-winning doctors and hospitals. You don’t need a referral to see in-network providers.
A Doctor You Can Trust
Having a primary care provider (PCP) is required with this plan—and it’s a smart idea to build a relationship with your child’s doctor. Your child’s PCP is the first person to call when your child gets sick or injured. The PCP knows your child’s health history and is the best person to treat your child.
Your child’s PCP will also:
- Provide well-child exams and preventive services.
- Direct your child’s care if your child needs tests or specialist care.
The PCP can be a pediatrician, a family practitioner, or an internal medicine doctor.
When your child is enrolled, you will have the opportunity to select a PCP for your child. The name of the group will appear on your child’s member ID card. Your child can see any PCP in that group.
You can change your child’s PCP at any time by calling our Health Care Concierge team. After you change your child’s PCP, your child will receive a new member ID card.
The UPMC for Kids provider network gives your child easy access to care. You don’t need a referral to see in-network providers. You can find information about our provider network by calling us at 1-800-650-8762 (TTY: 711) or visiting our Provider Directory.
When Your Child Needs Care
Your child’s PCP can provide routine care and see your child when they are sick. The PCP will help coordinate the care your child needs.
The PCP can help decide when your child needs to see a specialist. You do not need a referral from the PCP for your child to see a specialist who participates in the UPMC for Kids network.
Except in an emergency, your child must use a participating UPMC for Kids provider. This includes physicians, hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, and other providers.
If your child has an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room. If you aren’t sure it is an emergency and waiting will not harm your child’s health, contact your child’s PCP first.
24/7 Video Visits*
With 24/7 video visits, children can have virtual visits with UPMC providers over live video.
This service is perfect for problems such as a sore throat, cough, runny nose, sinus infection, cold or flu symptoms, back pain, and poison ivy. Simply sign in and describe your symptoms. You will be connected to a provider—often within minutes—who can provide a diagnosis and care plan. You can even get a prescription if needed.
Benefits of 24/7 video visits include:
- One more way to access health care
- Less serious conditions can be addressed before they become more serious
- Less time from your day because e-visits take minutes, not hours
- Peace of mind that you’re always covered when symptoms arise
Visit the 24/7 video visits page for more information or to sign up.
*UPMC for Kids members who are in Pennsylvania at the time of a virtual visit may select a UPMC-employed provider, subject to the provider’s availability and discretion. Members who are not in Pennsylvania at the time of service may receive care from a provider employed by or contracted with UPMC. A parent or legal guardian must be present during the video portion of the visit for children under age 18. It is at the discretion of providers employed or contracted by UPMC to choose whether to treat patients ages 0 to 2. 24/7 video visits for children ages 0 to 2 are unavailable from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. in Pennsylvania. Hours may vary for visits with children under age 18 outside of Pennsylvania, and 24/7 video visits may be unavailable in those locations. This service is not available to members in Puerto Rico.