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 more
than 20 minutes 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.
WALK-IN HOUR
We have a walk-in hour from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday through
Friday (excluding holidays). Patients with acute or minor
illnesses may come to the office during this time without an
appointment. Patients will be seen on a first come first serve
basis by one of our physicians or nurse practitioners. Requests to
see specific doctors during walk-in hour cannot always be honored.
Routine physicals, immunizations, and consultations may not be performed
during walk-in hour. These visits require a scheduled appointment.
AFTER HOURS
The doctors take emergency calls from their homes after hours.
If the main office is closed, you may call our answering service at
908-376-3828. 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
Effective October
1, 2007, a surcharge of $20 will be billed for all evening,
weekend, and holiday visits. You will be responsible for any
amount not covered by your insurance company.
Weekends are intended for urgent care visits and phone calls that cannot
wait until regular office hours. You must call first for an
appointment; there is no walk-in hour on weekends.
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.
HOSPITALS
We have privileges at:
If a member of your
family requires hospitalization, please follow your insurance company
requirements to reduce your risk of payment problems with the hospital.
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 to
expedite your requests or you may request them on-line.
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. Please submit
all forms with a STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE. You may also request
certain forms on-line which you may then pick up. 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.
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