What Age Do You Stop Seeing a Pediatrician?

There is no exact age at which your child should stop seeing a pediatrician, but most doctors agree that the recommended age is between 18 and 21 years of age. There are no official rules for this age limit, even with most insurance providers. Pediatric doctors are specially trained to understand the physiological differences in children – from infants to teenagers – as well as monitoring growth patterns, recommending age-appropriate immunizations and even offering mental health counseling.

After age 18, certain illnesses or conditions may occur that would be better handled by a family medicine physician or specialist who is trained to diagnose and treat a broader range of issues. These may include type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, pregnancy, etc. In addition, the idea of sitting in a pediatrician’s waiting room at age 18+ may not be appealing for some people – especially if the office is decorated for younger children.

It is important to note that there are situations where it may be advisable to keep seeing a pediatrician:

• Your child has a congenital disease that has been monitored by your pediatrician for years.
• Special needs children may feel more comfortable seeing the same doctor.
• Your child is in college and doesn’t have time to search for a new doctor while away at school.

An alternative is to choose a medical practice that offers both pediatric services as well as family medicine – all in the same location. The team at Westgate Family Physicians offers pediatrics in Spartanburg, SC, as well as adult medicine; so you can visit one medical office for the whole family. The doctor/patient relationships are very strong at Westgate Family Physicians which is why so many people trust this office to provide medical care. If you would like to schedule an appointment to meet our team in person, please call (864) 574-0070 or click here.