What Insurance Do You Take?

We take all major insurances, however, it is the parent’s responsibility to make sure we take your child’s insurance. If there are any questions please see the “Insurances Accepted” section of our website. If there are still questions about coverage please call the office so that one of our staff members can assist you. It is up to you to understand how your insurance works including, copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. It is required that you provide up-to-date insurance information at every visit. Any additional practice fees (forms fees, missed appointment fees ,etc.) can be found under Billing Policies and Procedures.

What happens if I have a pediatric Medical Emergency?

Atracare Pediatrics is open Monday through Friday from 9:00AM – 5:00 PM. If your child happens to be sick or you need information after we close, our Walk-in Care center has providers located inside the same building that can see your child. Being part of a combined group allows for after-hours coverage when care is needed. Our Walk-in Center is staffed by providers that have experience with pediatrics. Your pediatric provider will review your visit and follow up with you if necessary. Atracare Pediatrics offers a 24-hour nurse line when the Walk-in Center is closed, your provider will be informed of the call and will respond if the situation warrants an immediate response. We also have a symptom checker on our website to better meet the needs of our patients. If you believe it’s a true emergency, PLEASE CALL 911 immediately.

Does Atracare Health use a Patient Portal?

Atracare Pediatrics uses technology to better provide real-time access to your provider. You will be expected to contact us through the patient portal. Our patient portal and website has most of the required information needed by parents to effectively participate in your child’s care. The patient portal also allows us to keep detailed records and provide a safe and secure way to manage your private information. Most, if not all forms, medical records, test results, and the ability to schedule an appointment can be done online. We believe utilization of this technology will provide a more streamlined and convenient way to communicate with your provider.

What is your vaccine policy?

Atracare Health believes in the effectiveness of vaccines, and that they are safe for your child. Our office follows the vaccine schedule published by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has been tested for safety and efficacy. While each parent has the right to choose a health philosophy for their child, Atracare Pediatrics does not believe in an alternative vaccine schedule. If you have questions about the science behind vaccines, your practitioner will be more than happy to provide you information that keeps your children safe. It is up to you to understand how your insurance works including, copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. It is required that you provide up-to-date insurance information at every visit. Any additional practice fees (forms fees, missed appointment fees ,etc.) can be found under Billing Policies and Procedures.

Is Atracare Health's Pediatric Care right for me and my family?

When looking for a Pediatrician, Atracare believes in the philosophy of inclusion. Serious consideration should be taken to make sure your own ideals line up with ours. Great care happens when the physician and family are aligned, and only then can the right medical decisions for your child work. This philosophy is based on mutual respect. We pride ourselves on providing a clean, child-friendly environment for our patients and families without sacrificing any quality of care. Our brand new, state-of-the-art facility is designed to expedite your trip through our office in the least amount of time with the best possible care. We will endeavor to provide everything you need before leaving the building; including most antibiotics and medications for your children. In most instances, we will save you a trip to the pharmacy.

Maria Childers, MD, Pediatrician in Lewes De

Letter to Our Patients

from Dr. Maria Childers, MD,
Medical Director of Pediatric Care

Welcome to Pediatrics at Atracare Health!

As Medical Director of Pediatrics I am thrilled to welcome you and your children to our beautiful, new practice. Decades of experience have given me the expertise and knowledge to safely and precisely care for your child.

I was born in Zaragoza, Spain and came to the US at the age of seven where I grew up in a multi-cultural, bilingual, medical home (my mom a nurse and my dad an Air Force surgeon). As the oldest of five children I gravitated toward caring for youngsters from an early age. Becoming a pediatrician was a no-brainer given my passion for medicine and my love of children. I completed my residency in Manhattan at the unparalleled Cornell New York Presbyterian Hospital and embarked on an academic career at DuPont Children’s hospital (Thomas Jefferson Medical School) where I trained medical students and residents. I was subsequently on faculty at St Vincent’s Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania and ultimately moved to the private sector where I honed my expertise as a general practitioner.

I fell in love with the Delaware coast on a family visit and ultimately relocated to Lewes in 2011. After years of practicing in the Cape region, I collaborated with Atracare Health to help create a state-of-the-art pediatric center with the goal of bringing the most professional, compassionate and up-to-date medical care to our local children. As a part of our unique medical practice, our patients will enjoy the convenience of a “one-stop shop” where we will handle everything from routine in-house lab tests and x-ray imaging, to the dispensing of frequently used medications and antibiotics. Our aim is to streamline your child’s care and eliminate the unnecessary burden of running to a distant radiology department, lab or even pharmacy for those uncomplicated medical conditions or ailments.

It is my great honor to continue to serve the wonderful families of Sussex County. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t learn something new about your families and the beautiful community in which we are so fortunate to live. I feel that patients should have a central medical home and firmly believe all children and their parents should have a clear understanding of their health. I also believe that there is no greater comfort than knowing you have someone advocating on your behalf—my #1 priority. Whether your child is sick or needs a well checkup, my goal as director of pediatrics at Atracare Health is to create a welcoming and efficient environment that will make your child’s visit to the doctor a more pleasant and comfortable experience. I vow to provide the same high-quality and compassionate care that my patients have come to expect from me. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to love my career in pediatrics and look forward to embarking on this new and exciting journey with you!