Primary Care
Primary Care Doctors Make a Difference
Primary Care
A primary care office is a place where doctors and nurses know you and your child’s health.
Our Primary Care Centers are in your neighborhood with expert doctors and nurses who care only for children, from birth to age 21. Adults age 21 and older can be seen only at the South High Primary Care Center.
Checkups. Vision and hearing checks. Shots. We offer the pediatric expertise every child needs to stay healthy.
In addition, the Same-Day Sick, Walk-In Appointment Clinic allows patients who are sick to walk in for an appointment at the Downtown Primary Care Center or the Hilltop Primary Care Center. This clinic is only available to Nationwide Children’s Primary Care Center patients. More information is available in the “Sick Visits” tab below.
To schedule an appointment, call (614) 722-6200.
Sick Visits
When your child is sick, it's comforting to get help from a pediatrician you already know and trust.
The Call a Nurse Line at (614) 722-5751 is also available 24/7 for help with your sick child.
If you need to schedule a sick visit, please call (614) 722-6200.
Same-Day Sick, Walk-In Appointment Clinic
The Same-Day Sick, Walk-In Appointment Clinic allows patients who are sick to walk in for an appointment at the Downtown Primary Care Center at the Livingston Ambulatory Center, 380 Butterfly Gardens Drive, or at the Hilltop Primary Care Center, 2857 W. Broad St. We see patients on a first-come, first-served basis, and on the severity of the illness. No appointment is needed. This clinic is only available to Nationwide Children’s Primary Care Center patients.
Downtown Primary Care Center Same-Day Sick, Walk-In Appointment Hours (No Appointment Needed)
Available Monday through Friday
Morning clinic: (You must arrive by 10 a.m.)
Monday through Friday: 7:45 to 10 a.m.
Afternoon clinic: (You must arrive by 3 p.m.)
Monday through Friday: 12:45 to 3 p.m.
Hilltop Primary Care Center Same-Day Sick, Walk-In Appointment Hours (No Appointment Needed)
(You must arrive by 3 p.m.)
Monday through Friday: 12:45 to 3 p.m.
Primary Care Versus Urgent Care or Emergency
Remember to call your child’s doctor before getting care in an emergency department or urgent care center unless your child’s doctor is unavailable or your child is experiencing a medical emergency. Primary care with your child’s doctor will always be the least expensive option, and they will know your child best.
When you have a question about if you should go to Urgent Care, the Call a Nurse Line can help you decide which option is best. Call (614) 722-5751. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Well Visits
It’s just as important to get regular checkups when your child feels well in addition to when they are sick. We call these checkups well visits.
Well visits may include physical exams, general development checks, shots and more depending on your child’s age.
When your child goes to his or her well visits, the doctor follows your child’s health closely. Any slight changes or problems can be looked at and talked about early. This relationship makes many conditions easier to treat.
To schedule your child’s next well visit, call (614) 722-6200.
When To Call a Nurse
When you’re concerned about your child’s cough or the rash that appeared, talking to an expert can give you peace of mind. Our highly trained pediatric registered nurses (RNs) can help anytime.
Nationwide Children’s Primary Care Center patients can call (614) 722-5751 24 hours a day, seven days a week to talk to a nurse.
Call a Nurse if:
- Your child is ill or injured
- You are considering taking your child to urgent care or the emergency department
- You have questions about your child’s health
- You need assistance when the Primary Care Center is closed
Primary Care Locations
With locations across Columbus and neighboring suburbs, our primary care locations are just a bus ride or quick drive away.
Resources
Payment
No child will be denied care due to inability to pay for services.
We accept most insurance plans, including Medicaid. For all other patients, Nationwide Children’s has financial assistance programs for those who qualify.
For more information, contact Financial Services at (614) 722-2070 or access Financial Services.
Primary Care Network Earns National Recognition for Patient-Centered Care
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Primary Care Network has received NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term, participative relationships the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) announced.
Nationwide Children’s achieved Level 3 standards, the highest level of achievement issued by the NCQA. Nationwide Children’s is one of the largest hospital-owned primary care networks in any children’s hospital. Nationwide Children’s is focused on quality patient care and are following best practice standards within a national model of care.