FAQ

Q: Will my child be seen by a pediatrician at NightLight?

All of our doctors have a minimum of three years of pediatric training after medical school. Every child is seen by a pediatrician on every visit.

Q: Does NightLight accept insurance?

Unlike some local urgent care centers, we are on most major insurance plans and will file the claim with your insurance company. We do not accept Traditional Medicaid or Tricare programs.  However, we do accept Texas Children’s Health Plan STAR and CHIP.

Q: Do I need an appointment at NightLight?

No appointment is necessary. All children are seen on a walk-in basis in the order they arrive unless their primary care physician calls them in. Exceptions will be made for infants under 2 months, critically sick or injured children who will be seen immediately.

Q: What hours are you open?

We are open on weekdays from 5pm to 11pm, and on weekends and holidays from noon to 7pm.

Q: Can I get advice over the phone?

No, we do not provide advice over the phone.  Our staff will not make a determination about the condition of your child.  We will refer you to call your primary care physician’s after hours phone line for assistance.

Q: How is NightLight different from an emergency room?

NightLight is less expensive, more efficient, and more fun. Your total bill and copay are typically one third the cost of an emergency room visit. Turn around times at NightLight are 3-4 times faster than an average emergency room visit. An average visit at NightLight is about 30 minutes. In addition, most local emergency rooms do not have pediatricians available to examine your child.

Q: How much will a visit cost?

At the time of service, you will be charged your urgent care copay (if you have one) or your office visit copay.  The remainder of the charges are submitted to your insurance. We will bill your service as an urgent care visit, not an emergency room visit.

If you have are a self-pay patient or have a high deductible, you will be charged for the office visit.

Q: What services do you provide at NightLight?

We provide a full range of pediatric services including lab work, fracture care, laceration care (stitches, skin glue or staples), antibiotic injections and breathing treatments. We can also remove foreign bodies from the nose, ears or skin.  We will conduct a sports or camp physical if referred by your primary care physician.  We do not provide well child checks or routine immunizations.

Q: Where are x-rays taken?

Once the doctor determines an x-ray is necessary, NightLight will generally refer you to nearby hospital for Xray only.  X-rays are typically available online before the patient returns to NightLight.  The patient does not pay emergency room co-pay.  A claim will be sent to your insurance provider for the Xray and paid based on your plan coverage.

Q: Will my pediatrician know about this visit?

A summary of the evaluation, diagnosis and care provided is faxed to your pediatrician’s office within 24 hours of your visit. If your child’s condition requires a call to the pediatrician for consultation or follow up, then we will call while your child is in the office.

Q: What if my child needs to be admitted to the hospital?

NightLight will call your physician and arrange for your child to be admitted to the hospital chosen by you and your pediatrician. Most children go to the hospital by private vehicle, but we can arrange ambulance transport if necessary. Depending on your child’s condition and the pediatrician’s management, you may be directed to the hospital emergency room.

Q: Do I need a referral from my doctor’s office?

Because we are an urgent care facility, no referral is necessary to be seen in the clinic. 

Q: When should we go to an emergency room?

You should always go to the emergency room if instructed to do so by your primary physician. Some problems such as ingestions, severe trauma, fever in the first 8 weeks of life, or possible meningitis are better handled in an emergency room. Otherwise, NightLight will save you time and money compared to an emergency room visit.

Q: Do you perform vaccinations or well child check-ups?

No, we do not. These are services performed by your primary care physician, and NightLight strongly believes that every child should have a primary care physician. If you do not have a primary care physician in the area, we can provide a list of local physicians.

Q: How long will my child wait to see a doctor at NightLight?

Almost all kids are seen by a pediatrician with less than a 30 minute wait. During peak hours on the weekend or during flu season, wait times may increase.  During long wait times, you will have the option to leave and receive a call when a room is available.

Q: How long will my visit take?

The average visit at NightLight takes 30 - 60 minutes from arrival to walking out the door. Visits take a little longer during peak hours, or if tests and x-rays are necessary, but most children are in the office for less than an hour.

Q: Where will I get my prescriptions filled?

We will call in or fax the prescription to the pharmacy of your choice prior to your leaving the clinic.  We have all of the local 24 hour pharmacies on speed dial to allow you to pick up your medicine on the way home.  During peak hours, there may be a delay in faxing or calling in your prescription.

Q: What age patients do you see at NightLight?

We see newborns up to 18 years of age.