APPOINTMENTS
Appointments for office visits and routine physicals are made by our nurses and receptionists during regular office hours. Except for our walk-in hour (see below), patients will be seen by appointment only. Please try to arrive on-time for your appointment. If you arrive late, we will try to work you back into the schedule; however, as a courtesy to other patients, we may need to reschedule your appointment. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please notify us as soon as possible so that we may offer that time slot to another patient. When you schedule your appointment, please let the staff know if the problem is more complex (e.g. behavioral, chronic conditions, etc.) so that an appropriate amount of time can be set aside for your visit. Please try to schedule routine physicals at least 3 months ahead of time. There will be a $50 charge for any appointment that is not canceled with at least 24 hours advance notice.
WALK-IN HOURS ARE CURRENTLY SUSPENDED
Please call 908-232-3445 option 5 to schedule an appointment for your child to be seen for a sick visit.
AFTER HOURS
The doctors take emergency calls from their homes after hours. If the main office is closed, you may call our regular office number at 908-232-3445 and you will be automatically directed to our answering service. The answering service will page a doctor or practice nurse to call you back. Please save routine questions (mild illness, appointments, prescription refills) for regular office hours.
EVENINGS, WEEKENDS, HOLIDAYS
One of our doctors is available on Saturday, Sunday, and Holiday mornings for urgent care visits that cannot wait until regular office hours. You must call our regular number at 908-232-3445 and speak with our answering service for an appointment; there is no walk-in hour on weekends. Our doctors and nurses are available by phone for urgent problems on a 24 hour basis.
A surcharge of $35 will be billed for all evening, weekend, and holiday visits. You will be responsible for any amount not covered by your insurance company.
TELEPHONE
Routine questions can generally be answered by our pediatric nurses. If your child is ill and you need advice, you may call the office and speak to one of our nurses. If it is felt that an appointment is needed, one will be provided for the same day.
EMERGENCIES
If an emergency should arise, please call 911. Emergencies are considered to be those conditions that are life-threatening: loss of consciousness, severe bleeding, seizure, etc. In the case of minor emergencies (lacerations, cuts, mild fractures, sprains), please call our office first for instructions.
REFERRALS
Many managed care insurance plans require referrals from your primary care physician before your child can be seen by a participating specialist. We require at least 72 business hours for processing referrals and are not allowed to back date any referral request. Our referral line is open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. It is your responsibility to know if a referral, authorization, or pre-certification is needed for procedures or specialist visits.
PRESCRIPTION REFILLS
Requests for prescription refills of chronic medications can be made by leaving a message on our prescription refill telephone line or on our Patient Portal. Please be sure to leave your child's name, date of birth, name of medication, dosage, and pharmacy name and phone number. Please allow 48 hours notice for prescription refill requests.
HEALTH FORMS
Your child will require many forms to be filled out over the years. When your child's school, camp or sport's program requires a form to be completed by a physician, please provide it to us with as much of the information as you can already filled out. This will help facilitate their rapid return. Forms should reach our office AT LEAST TWO WEEKS PRIOR to the time you need them returned. We will not be able to fill out the forms at the child's annual physical during very high volume months (June, July, August and September). There is a $10 charge for the completion of forms. There is a $5 charge if you need an immunization record only. Forms will not be processed until payment is made.
MEDICATION FORMS
Requests for authorization to administer medication to your child at school/camp must include the child's name, date of birth, name of medication, and reason for needing the medication.
HOSPITALS
We have admitting privileges at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ
If a member of your family requires hospitalization, please follow your insurance company requirements to reduce your risk of payment problems with the hospital.
