FAQs
Answers to these frequently asked questions are intended to provide brief information relevant to your child's health and how our practice is run. If you would like to speak with us regarding any of these topics, do not hesitate to call us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes, we always welcome new patients to our practice! Please see the list of insurances that we accept under the "Office Info-Insurances" Menu Tab. If your child is new to the practice and needs a well visit, please note that we need all prior records sent to our office before making your appointment. This gives our doctors adequate time to prepare prior to your appointment and that means less wait time. It also allows for us to give an appropriate amount of time for the appointment in case there are additional issues to discuss and make sure that the last well visit has been at least one year prior for insurance purposes. If the entire chart is unavailable in time, we ask that you please have your prior doctors office fax the vaccine records and last well summary to our office in the meantime. Thank you and welcome aboard!
Please note--which medication you give your child is based on subjective opinion and symptoms. Call to speak to our nurses to guide you in the right direction for any OTC (over the counter) medications.
What days are you open?
Our office is open Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm. We can be reached for urgent telephone consults on Saturdays and Sundays.
How do I make an appointment?
To make an appointment please call our office. To ensure the best use of time, for both our physicians and patients, all of our office visits are by appointment only. If you must cancel an appointment, please notify us as soon as possible so we can offer that time to someone else.
Emergencies arise. We will advise you if there is going to be a delay in seeing you. If your schedule won't allow you to wait, we will be happy to reschedule your appointment. We do appreciate your patience and cooperation during our busy times and we will make every effort to keep your wait time to a minimum.
Do you accept my health insurance?
How do we contact the after hours doctor?
We have a physician on call after hours, please call our office and follow the prompts. This is for urgent purposes only. Appointments, Refill of medications, and referrals will be taken care of during normal business hours.
IN THE EVENT OF A LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY, CALL 911.
May I request a specific Pediatrician for my visit?
We like for all of our providers to know your children and their health care needs. If you prefer to see a specific provider, please request it at the time of scheduling your appointment.
How often does my child need to be seen in the office?
Well Child Visit ScheduleOur routine health maintenance visit schedule follows the American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine guideline for children.
Why does my child need to receive vaccinations?
Immunizations are a series of shots given to children at different ages to help ward off serious, and potentially fatal, childhood diseases. Making sure your child receives immunizations when scheduled is the best way to help protect your child from potentially fatal diseases. According to The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), vaccinations have reduced the number of infections from vaccine-preventable diseases by more than 90%.
What immunizations will my child receive?
Immunization ScheduleTo help protect your child from many serious infectious diseases, we follow the immunization schedule recommended by The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Please discuss your immunization questions and concerns with any of our pediatricians.
My child needs to see a specialist. What do I do?
For non-urgent referrals: when one of our doctors refers you to a specialist, please schedule your appointment with the specialist. Most referrals are completed electronically and submitted directly to the specialist's office. We make every effort to refer you to a specialist that takes your insurance, however please check with the specialist's office to confirm.
For urgent referrals: when one of our doctors determines that you need an urgent referral, your referral will be initiated immediately.
When will I receive lab or test results?
You will receive a call quickly with any lab results that require urgent attention. Other abnormal lab results will be addressed promptly by the provider that ordered the labs or tests. Normal values are reviewed and addressed by the physician that ordered them.
How do I obtain a prescription refill?
Please call our office and follow the prompts for our prescription refill line. Allow one business day for all routine prescription refills. For prescriptions that require prior authorization from your insurance company, please plan ahead to allow at least three to five days for refill approval. Prescription refills for controlled substances such as pain medications are refilled Monday through Friday only. We can only refill controlled substances 3 months out, please schedule an appointment.
Does your practice support breastfeeding mothers?
Yes, we promote breastfeeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding babies for the first six to twelve months. Breastfeeding helps defend children against infections, prevents allergies, and protects against a number of chronic conditions. While experts believe that breast milk is the best nutritional choice for infants, breastfeeding may not be possible for all women.
Some women have specific medical considerations that impede breastfeeding; others choose to feed by formula because of discomfort, work schedule, or lifestyle choices. In these cases, an iron-fortified, milk-based infant formula is a good alternative. We will gladly discuss your diet and feeding concerns at your child's well care visit, or please call during office hours to speak with our experienced nursing staff.
Can I meet my pediatrician before my baby is born?
Yes, in fact we strongly encourage parents-to-be to visit our office for a prenatal appointment. This is a great way to get acquainted with our office and our doctors. During this visit, we will answer any questions that you have about our practice or your new child. Visit our expectant parent's page for more information.
I just gave birth. When should I schedule my baby's first doctor visit?
We recommend that your newborn be seen in our office 1-2 days after discharge from the hospital. Our staff understands the importance of this first visit and will make every effort to schedule this visit promptly.
Please bring your discharge paperwork with you to the appointment, and have the nursery fax the office the medical records to 843-815-3849 prior to your visit.
When should my baby start solid foods?
As all children are different, we advise following several appropriate steps to advance your child's diet based on age and development. Please discuss these steps with our providers at your well care visit.
