New Parents

Welcome to Natural Pediatrics!

We’re excited to partner with you in your child’s healthcare journey

Get Started in 4 Easy Steps

Read Our Philosophy

Understand our approach to care

Check Insurance

Verify we accept your plan

Complete Forms

Download and fill before visit

Schedule Visit

Call to book your appointment

📞 Call 972-618-3547 to Schedule

Our Philosophy of Care

“By training, I am an American Board-Certified Pediatrician. But in my younger years, I grew up with simple natural alternatives for common ailments. As a mom, I have incorporated them for my kids, and it has worked wonders. Hence, we take an integrated and holistic approach to help you raise a healthy, smart, and energetic child.”

– Dr. Lata Shridharan, MD, FAAP

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PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

We recommend vaccination. The safety and benefit from these vaccines far outweighs the tragedy of not vaccinating, which we have experienced first-hand.

Important: To protect our immune-compromised children, we request you to choose a different practice if you are unwilling to vaccinate. We strive to use only preservative-free vaccines where available.

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NATURAL ALTERNATIVES FIRST

We suggest natural alternatives as the first line of treatment for simple and chronic conditions. Natural alternatives include:

Natural and home remedies
Diet and nutrition changes
Exercise and yoga
Behavioral and parenting changes

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AAP GUIDELINES FOR ACUTE ILLNESS

We follow the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for acute ailments. When your child needs medical intervention, you can trust our board-certified expertise and 25+ years of experience.

Our Views on Vaccination

⚠️ IMPORTANT: We believe in vaccination!

Why We Require Vaccination

We have a strong, unwavering position on vaccination because:

We’ve witnessed the tragedy firsthand: We have seen children suffer and even die from vaccine-preventable diseases. These are heartbreaking situations that could have been avoided.
Protecting vulnerable children: Some of our patients have cancer, immune deficiencies, or are too young to be vaccinated. They depend on community immunity for protection.
Science and evidence: Decades of research and millions of safely vaccinated children prove the overwhelming benefit and safety of vaccines.
Dr. Lata’s own children are vaccinated: We practice what we preach.

Our Commitment to Safety

✓ We use preservative-free vaccines whenever available
✓ We follow the CDC and AAP recommended schedule
✓ We’re happy to discuss any concerns and provide evidence-based information
✓ We can adjust timing within medical guidelines if needed for your comfort

If You Have Concerns

We understand that vaccine hesitancy often comes from a place of love and wanting to protect your child. We’re here to:

Answer your questions with evidence and compassion
Share real experiences we’ve seen in our practice
Provide reliable, scientific resources
Address specific concerns about ingredients, timing, or side effects

Please Note: If you are firmly opposed to vaccination and unwilling to discuss it, we respectfully ask that you seek care elsewhere. This policy is non-negotiable as it protects the most vulnerable members of our patient community.

Read Our Full Vaccination Policy →

Insurance & Payment Options

✓ We Accept Most Insurance Plans

Private Insurance (PPO & HMO)

Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)
Cigna
UnitedHealthcare (UHC/UMR)
Humana
Tricare (Military)
Centivo
Surest
Molina Exchange/Marketplace
Most Affordable Care Act (ACA) Plans

Government Insurance

Texas Medicaid
CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program)
Parkland Health & Hospital System
Parkland CHIP Perinatal
Amerigroup
Superior HealthPlan
STAR & STAR+PLUS
Children’s Health Medicaid

Note: We do NOT accept Cook’s Medicaid or Molina Medicaid

Self-Pay Options

We offer one of the lowest self-pay rates in the area to help uninsured families access quality care.

Payment accepted:
• Cash
• Visa, Mastercard, Discover
• Payment expected at time of service

Don’t see your insurance listed?

Call us at 972-618-3547 to verify

📋 New Patient Forms

Save time! Download and complete these forms before your first visit.

📄 Required Forms for All New Patients

Patient Registration Form – Basic information about your child and family
Medical History Form – Past illnesses, surgeries, medications, allergies
Insurance Information Form – Insurance card details (front and back)
Consent for Treatment – Authorization for care
HIPAA Privacy Notice – Understanding of privacy practices

📄 Additional Forms (If Applicable)

Developmental Screening (ASQ) – For well-child visits
Autism Screening (MCHAT) – For children 18-30 months
Records Release Form – To obtain records from previous doctor
School/Sports Physical Form – If needed for school or sports

⏱️ How to Submit Forms

Option 1: Complete forms and bring them to your appointment
Option 2: Fax completed forms to: (972) 618-3547
Option 3: Email to: Appointment@TxNaturalPediatrics.com

Completing forms ahead of time reduces your wait time and allows us to spend more time with you and your child!

Download All Forms

What to Expect at Your First Visit

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Before You Arrive

Complete all forms
Bring insurance cards (front & back)
Bring photo ID
List current medications
Arrive 10 minutes early

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During Your Visit

Check-in at front desk
Brief health screening
Meet your provider (30-45 min)
Comprehensive health review
Time for all your questions

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We’ll Discuss

Complete medical history
Growth & development
Nutrition & sleep habits
Vaccination schedule
Any current concerns

⏰ Typical Visit Duration

First visit: 45-60 minutes
Wait time in reception: Usually 5-10 minutes
Time with provider: 30-45 minutes (we don’t rush!)

New Patient FAQ

Q: How do I schedule my first appointment?

A: Call us at 972-618-3547 Monday-Friday 8am-6pm. Let us know you’re a new patient and we’ll find a convenient time for your family. We recommend scheduling well-child visits 2-3 weeks in advance.

Q: Can I bring both my children to one appointment?

A: We prefer to schedule separate appointments for each child so we can give them individual attention. However, if your children need the same type of visit (like well-checks), let us know and we’ll try to schedule them back-to-back.

Q: Do I need a referral from my previous doctor?

A: For most insurance plans, you do NOT need a referral to see us. However Medicaid, Wellpoint, Parkland, and some HMO plans may require that you select Dr Lata Shridharan as your child’s PCP. Call your insurance company to check, or we can help you verify.

Q: How do I transfer medical records from my previous doctor?

A: Fill out our Records Release Form and we’ll request records from your previous provider. You can also request records directly and bring them to your appointment. We especially need immunization records!

Q: What if my child needs to be seen urgently?

A: For same-day sick visits, call before 9am and we’ll do our best to fit you in that afternoon. For true emergencies (difficulty breathing, severe injury, high fever in infants under 3 months), go to the ER and call us after.

Q: Which location should I choose – Plano or Frisco?

A: Both locations offer the same excellent care! Choose based on convenience. Our Plano location serves more patients, while our Frisco location often has more availability and shorter wait times.

Q: Will I see Dr. Lata or a nurse practitioner?

A: You may see Dr. Lata Shridharan, Ms. Charmaine Banze (FNP-C), or Ms. Courtney Crew (CPNP-PC). All are excellent providers with years of pediatric experience. You can request a specific provider when scheduling.

Q: Do you see newborns?

A: Yes! We see newborns and can schedule your baby’s first appointment before you leave the hospital. We recommend scheduling the first visit within 3-5 days after hospital discharge.

Q: What if I need to cancel or reschedule?

A: Please give us at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. This helps us offer your slot to another family in need. Call 972-618-3547 to reschedule.