How to choose a pediatrician

From CPCMG.wiki, a sourced reference on Children’s Primary Care Medical Group in San Diego and southwest Riverside counties

By the CPCMG Wiki editorial team · Published 31 October 2026 · Last updated 31 October 2026

Short answer: The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests asking trusted parents and your obstetrician for names, interviewing several pediatricians, and asking about training, hours, calls, coverage, hospitals, fees and specialist coordination^[13]^[12].

Disclosure: CPCMG.wiki is a reference compiled from public pages and records about Children’s Primary Care Medical Group (CPCMG). It is not the official website of CPCMG, and it is not written or reviewed by CPCMG, Rady Children’s Health, UC San Diego Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Board of Pediatrics or the Medical Board of California. Statements CPCMG makes about itself are attributed to CPCMG; hours, phone numbers and provider lists can change, so confirm them with the office. This page is general information, not medical advice, and it does not diagnose or recommend treatment. In an emergency call 911. Verify a license or board certification directly with the issuing body. See the editorial policy.

Where does the American Academy of Pediatrics say to start?

HealthyChildren.org, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) parent site, says the best way to start is to ask other parents you know and trust, and to consider asking your obstetrician, who will know local pediatricians^[12]. If you are new to a community, it suggests contacting a nearby hospital, medical school or county medical society for a list^[12]. Members of a managed care plan “probably will be required” to choose from the plan’s approved network^[12]. The AAP also runs a Find a Pediatrician tool; it lists only Fellows of the AAP (FAAPs)^[13]. If you are moving or your pediatrician is retiring, it suggests asking your present pediatrician for a referral^[13].

When should parents interview pediatricians?

For expecting parents the AAP suggests arranging a personal interview with each candidate during the final months of pregnancy, and notes that many pediatricians are happy to fit such preliminary interviews into their schedules^[12]. It advises both parents to attend if possible so that both agree with the pediatrician’s policies and philosophy, and says not to be afraid or embarrassed to ask any question^[12]. For an existing family, it says the interview may be more convenient by phone^[13].

Which questions does the AAP suggest asking?

The AAP’s How to Choose a Pediatrician page lists these key questions and things to consider at a first meeting^[13]:

What medical school did the pediatrician attend, and where did they do postgraduate and residency training?
Where are the doctor’s present hospital appointments, and where would your child be admitted?
Is the office conveniently located, by car or public transportation?
Are the office hours convenient, for example evening or weekend hours for a working parent?
What is the policy on taking and returning phone calls, and can a nurse in the office answer routine questions?
Is the doctor in a group practice, does another physician cover, and who handles calls when the office is closed or during vacations?
Do you sense genuine interest in your child’s problems, and do the doctor and staff seem courteous, compassionate and patient rather than rushed?
How are visits for acute illness handled, and can you be seen on short notice for a sore throat, cold or possible ear infection?
Does the doctor explain illnesses and treatments clearly and make sure your questions are answered?
In which managed-care programs does the doctor participate, and how does the office process insurance forms?
What fees will you owe for sick visits and routine examinations?
If your child develops a complex illness, will the pediatrician coordinate care among the specialists?

Before the interview, the AAP says office staff should be able to answer the more basic questions^[12]:

Is the pediatrician accepting new patients with my insurance or managed care plan?
What are the office hours, and do they include weekends and holidays?
What is the best time to call with routine questions?
Do the doctors answer secure e-mail or other HIPAA-compliant electronic communications?
Who answers the phone if my baby has an issue after the office has closed?
How does the office handle billing and insurance claims, and is payment due at the time of the visit?

Where can the answers for CPCMG be found?

CPCMG is a pediatric primary care group, and several of the AAP’s questions can be answered from pages CPCMG publishes. The table below pairs each topic with what CPCMG says and where this wiki covers it. It is not a recommendation of CPCMG or of any clinician; where CPCMG does not publish an answer, the table says so, and the right step is to call the office.

The AAP’s questions, matched to what CPCMG publishes
Question	What CPCMG publishes	Page
Insurance and new patients	CPCMG says it accepts most HMO, PPO, EPO, indemnity, fee-for-service and Medi-Cal plans and asks families to verify with their insurer that a CPCMG pediatrician can be designated as the child’s primary care physician^[1]. Whether an individual clinician is taking new patients is not published on the pages this wiki used.	Insurance and billing
Office hours and weekends	For appointments CPCMG lists Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm by phone, and Saturday 8am to noon for sick visits^[2]. Its appointment-only CPEC clinics run Monday to Thursday 5:30pm to 8:30pm and Sunday 8:30am to 12pm^[3].	Appointments, after-hours care
Phone calls, nurses and portal messages	CPCMG describes Nurse Care Connect, telephone advice from registered pediatric nurses, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm^[4], and a MyChart portal for messaging the pediatrician^[5].	Services, MyChart
After-hours calls	CPCMG says its nurse triage line is staffed by registered nurses and is reached through the pediatrician’s office phone options^[3].	After-hours care
Group practice and coverage	CPCMG describes itself as having more than 170 pediatric primary care providers in 29 locations^[6]; its directory lists 172 provider profiles^[7]. Which clinician covers a given pediatrician is not stated on the pages this wiki used.	Provider directory
Hospital	CPCMG says its patients can use Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego and that a CPCMG pediatrician can provide a referral^[8]. Where an individual pediatrician has admitting privileges is not stated here.	Affiliations
Training and background	Provider profiles repeat the fields CPCMG publishes, such as medical school and languages where listed. This wiki does not verify them^[7].	Credentials guide
Fees and billing	CPCMG states co-payments are due at the time of service and that Patient Financial Services answers account questions at 858-502-1100, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm^[1].	Insurance and billing
Specialists	CPCMG says behavioral health treatment plans may include referrals within CPCMG and the Rady Children’s Health Network^[9]. CPCMG does not describe, on the pages used here, how it coordinates every specialty.	Behavioral health
Meeting the doctor first	CPCMG offers a free meet and greet with a CPCMG pediatrician, requested through an online form^[10]; the Welcome Center says it will call within 24 hours, Monday to Friday^[11].	New patients

What do the training and certification details mean?

HealthyChildren.org says pediatricians graduate college, attend medical school and then train in pediatrics for three or more years in residency^[14]. After residency they are eligible for a written exam given by the American Board of Pediatrics; passing it earns board certification^[14]. The AAP says most pediatricians are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics^[13]. “FAAP” after a name means the pediatrician has passed the board exam and is a Fellow of the AAP^[14]. The credentials guide explains the other abbreviations CPCMG prints and how to verify a license.

What should expecting parents ask about the first days?

The AAP suggests asking how soon after birth the pediatrician will see the baby, noting that hospitals usually ask for a pediatrician’s name at admission and that a routine newborn examination can take place any time in the first 24 hours^[12]. It recommends a checkup within 48 to 72 hours after the newborn leaves the hospital, which it calls especially important for breastfed babies, to evaluate feeding, weight gain and jaundice^[12]. CPCMG says its first newborn appointment happens within three to five days of birth^[11]. The well-child visit schedule lists the visits that follow.

What if a family needs to change pediatricians?

The AAP says it is best to stay with a pediatrician once chosen, but that situations change. All plans allow you to choose another doctor from those participating, you must tell the plan about the change, and some plans allow changes only during a specific period^[15]. That AAP page was last updated in 2017, so confirm the rules with your own plan^[15].

What can this wiki not tell you?

This wiki does not rate or recommend any pediatrician, carries no reviews, and does not verify any clinician’s license or certification. It cannot say whether a particular CPCMG pediatrician is accepting new patients or what the office feels like. The AAP’s own advice is that the most important test comes after the baby arrives: how the pediatrician cares for the child and responds to concerns.

Frequently asked questions

When should I look for a pediatrician?

The AAP suggests interviewing pediatricians during the final months of pregnancy.

Should both parents attend the interview?

The AAP says both parents should attend if possible.

Does CPCMG offer a meet and greet?

CPCMG describes a free meet and greet with a CPCMG pediatrician, requested through an online form.

Can I change pediatricians later?

The AAP says all plans allow you to choose another participating doctor, and some limit when you can change; check your plan.

References

^ ^a ^b Insurance & Billing. Children's Primary Care Medical Group (cpcmg.net). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
^ All About Appointments. Children's Primary Care Medical Group (cpcmg.net). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
^ ^a ^b After-Hours Care. Children's Primary Care Medical Group (cpcmg.net). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
^ Nurse Care Connect. Children's Primary Care Medical Group (cpcmg.net). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
^ MyChart. Children's Primary Care Medical Group (cpcmg.net). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
^ Home page. Children's Primary Care Medical Group (cpcmg.net). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
^ ^a ^b Find a Provider. Children's Primary Care Medical Group (cpcmg.net). Retrieved 28 October 2026.
^ Children's Primary Care Medical Group, affiliated with the Rady Children's Hospital. Children's Primary Care Medical Group (cpcmg.net). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
^ CPCMG Behavioral and Mental Health. Children's Primary Care Medical Group (cpcmg.net). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
^ Request a free meet and greet. Children's Primary Care Medical Group (cpcmg.net). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
^ ^a ^b Newborns. Children's Primary Care Medical Group (cpcmg.net). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Finding a Pediatrician. HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f How to Choose a Pediatrician. HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
^ ^a ^b ^c A Pediatrician's Training. HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
^ ^a ^b Primary Care Coverage: Information for Parents (page last updated 2017). HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics). Retrieved 31 October 2026.