Frequently Asked Questions

Prior to your visit, please call the office to verify that the practice is still accepting your insurance. We encourage parents to download and complete the registration paperwork available under Forms before your visit, as this will lessen your waiting time in the office. Expectant parents should also notify their hospital as to who their pediatrician will be during the pre-registration process.

We participate with most major health insurance plans. Please call our office staff at (973) 827-4550 for specific questions.

Please call our main office number 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.

Yes! We encourage expectant parents to visit our office and meet our staff, free of charge. While we do not require an introductory visit, most parents welcome the opportunity to see how our practice is organized, meet the doctor, and review common issues surrounding newborn care. Families that are new to the area or are looking for a new pediatrician are also welcome to visit and meet one of our pediatricians. If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of the doctors, please don't hesitate to contact us. There is no fee for this visit.

We firmly believe that all children and young adults should receive all of the recommended vaccines according to the schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control , the American Academy of Pediatrics , and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Many parents have questions and concerns about immunizations. Please feel free to discuss any such concerns with our physicians.

We recommend that your newborn be seen in our office the first week after discharge from the hospital. Our staff understands the importance of this first visit and will make every effort to schedule this visit promptly.

Like prescription medicines, OTC ("over-the-counter") pain medicine such as Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen can be dangerous if not taken the right way. Talk with your child's doctor before giving your child any medicine, especially the first time. All OTC medicines have the same label format, which gives important information about the medicine. It says what it is for, how to use it, what is in it, and what to watch out for. Check the chart on the label to see how much medicine to give. If you know your child's weight, use that first. If not, go by age. Check the label to make sure it is safe for infants and toddlers younger than 2 years. If you are not sure, ask your child's doctor. Before you give your child any medicines, be sure you know how to use them. Please consult these dosing charts for additional reference.

If you are delivering at one of our affiliated hospitals, Newton Memorial, Morristown Memorial, or St. Clare’s (Denville), you may list any of our doctors when you pre-register or after the baby is born. The hospital will notify us when you deliver your child. While you are in the hospital, your newborn will be seen daily by either one our physicians, or a hospital-based pediatric specialist, or a neonatologist, depending on the hospital where you deliver and the medical needs of your newborn. On the day of discharge, the physician will tell you when to bring your newborn in for his or her first office appointment, usually 48-72 hours after discharge.

If your baby is not being delivered at one of our affiliated hospitals, you should request that your baby be seen by the on-staff pediatrician at the hospital where you deliver. Call our office when you are discharged to schedule your first appointment within 48-72 hours of discharge, or sooner if directed by the hospital’s on-staff pediatrician.

No; to best serve you, our doctors do not divide the patients in the practice by physician. Because we have four doctors in our office, we suggest that you try to meet all of the doctors during your first several visits. Then, if you wish to schedule a well child check up with a particular physician, we will try to honor your request as the schedule allows. Sick children are seen by the first available physician.

Yes, we welcome new patients.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding babies for the first six 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, infant formula is a good alternative. We will gladly discuss your diet and feeding concerns at your well care visit, or please call during office hours to speak with our experienced nursing staff.

Our medical providers are available 24 hours a day. Call the office at (973) 827-4550 and follow the prompts to page a provider on call. Please be aware that after-hours calls are intended for urgent medical issues that cannot wait until the next business day. Referral and appointment requests will not be addressed via pager. Pages are typically returned within 15 minutes. Please call back if you have not received a timely response.

IN THE EVENT OF A LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY, CALL 911.

Our Visit & Immunization Schedule recommends physical exams for young children at the age of one week, two weeks, one month, two months, six months, nine months, 12 months, 15 months, and 18 months. For children ages two to 18, we recommend an annual physical exam. You may wish to print our recommended Visit & Immunization Schedule for your reference.

For non-urgent referrals: when one of our doctors refers you to a specialist, please schedule your appointment with the specialist, then call our referral coordinator in our office within five business days of your appointment. Your referral will be available in three business days. Most referrals are completed electronically and submitted directly to the specialist's office. Please check with our office staff to determine if your insurance plan processes referrals electronically.

For urgent referrals: when one of our doctors determines that you need an urgent referral, your referral will be initiated immediately. Please remain in our office while your referral is processed, then proceed to your specialist.

To help protect your child from many serious infectious diseases, please refer to our recommended Visit & Immunization Schedule. Please discuss your immunization questions and concerns with any of our pediatricians.

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.

You will receive a call right away 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 usually not reported, however, you are welcome to call our office to request a copy of your results.

Our office is open Monday through Saturday. Note that Saturday appointments are generally reserved for sick visits and emergencies. As our daily schedule is subject to change, please call to confirm office hours. Please click here to view our office hours.

Every effort is made to arrange your child's well care and follow up visits with the physician of your choice. When your child is ill, he or she may see any one of our physicians.