A Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) is a painless breathing test that can help the doctor determine if your child's lungs are working properly. A PFT can also help the doctor decide if different kinds of medicines are effective.
The pulmonary function technologist will teach your child a few different ways of breathing. During the test, your child will blow into a tube with force, a lot like blowing out birthday candles. After this test, a bronchodilator (a medicine that opens the small airways in the lungs) will be given either as an inhaler or nebulized solution. The breathing test will be repeated to check for any changes.
Tell your child that the test does not hurt. Explain how the test is done and answer as many questions as you can. If your child is already taking a bronchodilator (inhaler or nebulizer) try not to use it 2 hours before the PFT. This is helpful to the test but not necessary. If your child is wheezing, coughing, or in any respiratory distress, go ahead and give the medicine as prescribed. Side effects of the bronchodilator are short lived and may include trembling and fast heartbeat.
If you have questions about why your child is being tested or the results, please ask the doctor during your visit.
We need a written request to process all medical record requests. Please include:
- your child's name
- date of birth
- where you would like the records to be sent (including the mailing address or fax number)
- the date the records are needed by
- parent or legal guardian's signature
- daytime contact number where we can reach you if any questions
Requests can be mailed, faxed, or hand carried to our office. Please allow 5 business days once we receive your request.
If your child needs a medication refill, please call your pharmacy. If you have additional refills left on the prescription, they can fill it for you. If they need more refills authorized, they will contact our office. If you have any problems, please call our office for assistance. Please allow 48 hours to process all refill requests.
Forms for school, camp, daycare, etc.
If you need a form completed for school, daycare, camp, etc, please mail, fax, or hand carry the form to our office. Please include where you would like to form to be sent including mailing address or fax number. Please allow 5 business days once we receive your request.
For Minneapolis & Minnetonka & St. Cloud offices, please fax to: (612) 813-3349
For St. Paul office, please fax to: (651) 220-7025
We have centralized nurse triage for all our physicians and clinic locations. A registered nurse is available to answer questions Monday-Friday during clinic hours.
The phone nurse will return calls in the order they are received giving priority to calls regarding sick patients. We strive to return all calls by the end of the day received.
In the evenings and on weekends & holidays, our phones roll to our answering service. The operator will take a message for our on call physician who will return your call.
How do I schedule an appointment?
We have centralized appointment scheduling for all our of physicians and clinic locations. Schedulers are available Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to assist you in scheduling future appointments. You can reach them directly at (612) 813-3325 or by choosing the scheduling option from our main office number's phone tree.
New Patients: New patient visits can be scheduled by a parent or referring clinic. Please allow 2-3 hours for your child's first visit in our office. Your visit will include a visit with one of our pediatric pulmonologists and may also include testing such as a chest x-ray and breathing test (also called a PFT). To assist in your child's care, we also ask you to request your child's medical records and/or copies of x-rays.
Returning or Follow Up Patients: Follow up appointments can also be scheduled by a parent or referring clinic. Please allow 1 hour for most follow up visits. Your child may need additional testing such as a chest x-ray and/or a breathing test. We routinely schedule breathing tests for most of our patients over the age of 5.
Billing or Insurance Questions
Registration: When you arrive for your appointment, we will require signatures authorizing us to treat your child; to share our findings with your child's other physicians; and to process your insurance for you. The parent or guardian accompanying the child will be responsible for providing our office with complete and accurate registration information. They will also be responsible for any charges not covered by insurance.
Cost: Your child's initial visit will consist of a comprehensive evaluation by a physician who is board certified in pediatric pulmonary medicine. Depending on the complexity of your child's evaluation, the cost will range from $300-700. Additional testing such as Pulmonary Function Testing and x-rays are often necessary. You may be billed from Children's Hospital for these tests.
Insurance: Please bring your insurance card to each appointment. A copy of your card is required in order for us to file the charges to your insurance company. Filing of your insurance will also require the subscriber's date of birth so please provide us with this information when scheduling or when checking in with our front office staff.
If you are covered by one of the following insurance plans, you are responsible for obtaining a referral from your primary care physician. The referral must include the consult, lab tests, x-rays, and pulmonary function tests which may be done during your visit. If there is no referral obtained, the charges will become your responsibility.
Blue Plus, Paitent Choice, Healthpartners(**), Metropolitan Health Plan, Group Health of Eau Claire/Compcare, Medica Elect, Medica Premier, Medica Advantage Plan, Atrium and Security Health Plan (WI MA).
**Attention: There may be certain Healthpartners Clinics that will still require a referral. Please check with your primary clinic to see if a referral is needed.
Copays: Copays are due at the time of service. For your convenience we accept cash, checks, and most major credit cards.
Business Office: Medical care can sometimes be unexpected and costly. Please talk with us not only about your health, but also your financial concerns. Our billing office staff can be reached at (612) 813-3340 or toll free 1-888-242-3327.
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