Cook Children's Medical Center and Cook Children's Physician Network have contracts with the following health care insurance companies, and we are committed to growing this list. We want to be sure that every family and child in our community has the coverage they need to get and stay healthy.
Aetna**
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas HMO Blue Essentials
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas PAR - Cook Children's Medical Center Fort Worth Only
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas PPO
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Premier
Blue Cross Blue Shield HealthSelect of Texas
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas HPN
Cigna Healthcare of Texas**
EHN- Employers Health Network
First Health Network*
Fort Worth Firefighters 440
Galaxy Healthcare Network
HealthScope*
HealthSmart Payors Organization/HealthSmart*
Imagine Health
MultiPlan Inc/PHCS*
Providence Health Alliance
Baylor Scott and White Health Plan**
United Healthcare PPO/EPO**
USA Managed Care Organizations
* Does NOT include Physician Only Plans or Christian Healthcare Sharing Ministry Plans
** Excluding exchange products
To confirm that your insurance is covered, please review Cook Children's accepted insurance plans.
Cook Children's Medical Center and Cook Children's Physician Network have contracts with the following health care insurance companies, and we are committed to growing this list. We want to be sure that every family and child in our community has the coverage they need to get and stay healthy.
Aetna**
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas HMO Blue Essentials
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas PAR - Cook Children's Medical Center Fort Worth Only
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas PPO
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Premier
Blue Cross Blue Shield HealthSelect of Texas
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas HPN
Cigna Healthcare of Texas**
EHN- Employers Health Network
First Health Network*
Fort Worth Firefighters 440
Galaxy Healthcare Network
HealthScope*
HealthSmart Payors Organization/HealthSmart*
Imagine Health
MultiPlan Inc/PHCS*
Providence Health Alliance
Baylor Scott and White Health Plan**
United Healthcare PPO/EPO**
USA Managed Care Organizations
* Does NOT include Physician Only Plans or Christian Healthcare Sharing Ministry Plans
** Excluding exchange products
To confirm that your insurance is covered, please review Cook Children's accepted insurance plans.
Meet Dr. Sivi Bakthavachalam
Sivi Bakthavachalam (Baktha), M.D. was born in Beaverton, Oregon and grew up in Colorado Springs at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains. He was a nationally ranked table tennis player when I was in middle school and was Colorado state debate champion his senior year of high school. As exciting as those championships were, he found his true dream was to become a doctor. His greatest influences were during his time as a volunteer patient transporter at the local hospital and the fact that many of family members worked in the medical field. He was particularly inspired by seeing the impact they had on the people they cared for.
While in medical school Dr. Baktha discovered that he could relate the most to the residents and attendings he worked with during his surgical training. He was especially drawn to the fact that they all seemed happy in their career choice. Today, Dr. Baktha specializes in pediatric airways, head and neck surgery and neck masses.
"I always enjoyed working with my hands in a technical way and so I knew I wanted to be in a surgical field. I chose ENT because of the nice mix of medicine and surgery." Having young kids of his own, Dr. Baktha empathizes with how parents feel when they bring their kids to see him.
"It's always a bit scary to have to bring your kids to a surgeon. I think I can advise parents in a calm way and help them make a decision about their child's condition in an informed manner."
Dr. Baktha believes that making health care decisions for a child should always be joint decisions involving the physician, family, patient and all of the child's important caregivers. He takes the time to explain everything to parents in a way they can understand. He always tells them their options and even shares how he would treat his own kids.
"After having kids, I was able to truly see things through the eyes of the parents and what I would want to know before making a medical decision for my child. Additionally, although I am a surgeon, it has also made me think more conservatively before recommending surgery as a primary option. If I do feel that surgery is the only option, I take extra time to make sure the parents understand why that is the case."
When he's not seeing patients, Dr. Baktha loves to go skiing and looks forward to his family's yearly trip. He also enjoys swimming with his family, playing tennis, trying new restaurants and just spending time with his wife, two girls and their mini Goldendoodle, Hobbes. Also, he really wants to get better at chess and golf.
Services
Adenoidectomy
Coblation tonsillectomy
Head and neck surgery
Otolaryngology
Repair damaged tympanic membranes
Sinus surgery
Reviews
Average rating:
4.3
Questions were addressed
4.4
4.4 (74)
Provider explained things clearly
4.2
4.2 (74)
Likelihood of recommending this provider
4.1
4.1 (74)
Trust/confidence in physicians
4.2
4.2 (74)
What our families say
March 12, 2025
Great staff. Good visit. The wait time is horrible
January 29, 2025
The Doctor that attended to us was attentive and great. Would recommend
January 08, 2025
I love the doctor and staff here, but the wait times are terrible. I had a 10:25 appointment and didn't leave until after 12:00. I missed work meetings and my child missed school lunch. The last appointment we had was a similarly long wait time. I want to keep coming here, but I can't keep dedicating half of a day to one visit.
December 05, 2024
Staff & Dr. Merchant are wonderful!
November 27, 2024
[...] the audiologist was wonderful, as was Dr Bhakta.
November 11, 2024
We love the entire Cook Children's organization.
November 07, 2024
Wonderful
November 07, 2024
Thank you to all! Super kind, gentle, and understanding of toddlers. During the hearing test, the staff went above and beyond to make sure my daughter was calm and comfortable. Thank you!
October 09, 2024
Everyone is always great!
October 06, 2024
Our experience was very good.
October 06, 2024
As our first visit to see Dr. B, he was very nice and explained what he was going to do.
September 28, 2024
Great experience from the moment we walked in to leaving.
September 28, 2024
Dr. Sivi Bakthavachalam and his staff were absolutely wonderful.
September 04, 2024
[...] at check out was phenomenal!! Very knowledgeable, patient, and kind
September 04, 2024
From start to finish, STELLAR
July 25, 2024
The front desk staff was amazing! They were delightful to speak to and engaged my two year old. I truly enjoyed their presence and they alone would keep me returning!
July 23, 2024
Dr. Baktha was very nice. The Nurse assistant was very nice and courteous.
July 16, 2024
The audiologists were so kind and patient with us!
May 17, 2024
The entire staff was very kind, helpful, and all around just wonderful!
Education
Medical School:
Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
Residency:
University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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