FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)

Answers to these frequently asked questions are intended to provide brief information relevant to your child's health. If you would like to speak with us regarding any of these topics, do not hesitate to call us.

Q: What days are you open?
Q: Are you accepting new patients?
Q: How do we contact the doctor after hours?
Q: May I request a specific pediatrician for my visit?
Q: How often does my child need to be seen in the office?
Q: My child needs to see a specialist. What do I do?
Q: Do you accept my health insurance plan?
Q: What immunizations will my child receive?
Q: When will I receive lab or test results?
Q: How do I obtain a prescription refill?
Q: Does your practice support breastfeeding mothers?
Q: I just gave birth. When should I schedule my baby's first doctor visit?
Q: When should my baby start solid foods?

• Q: What days are you open?

  A: We have scheduled office hours five days a week, Monday through Friday. We have acute care appointments available Saturday and Sunday morning. During those times when the office is closed, one of our physicians is always available by phone should an emergency arise.

• Q: Are you accepting new patients?

  A: Yes, we welcome new patients.

• Q: How do we contact the doctor after hours?

  A: Our medical providers are available 24 hours a day. Call the office at (908)766-0034 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.

  THE EVENT OF A LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY, CALL 911.

• Q: May I request a specific pediatrician for my visit?

  A: 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 or nurse practitioners.

• Q: How often does my child need to be seen in the office?

  A: Our routine health maintenance visit schedule follows the American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine guideline for children.

• Q: My child needs to see a specialist. What do I do?

  A: For non urgent referrals: when one of our doctors refers you to a specialist, please schedule your appointment with the specialist, then call our office for your referral 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.

• Q: Do you accept my health insurance plan?

  A: Please refer to Insurance Information to review Advocare's list of accepted insurance providers.

• Q: What immunizations will my child receive?

  A: To help protect your child from many serious infectious diseases, we follow the immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Please discuss your immunization questions and concerns with any of our pediatricians.

• Q: When will I receive lab or test results?

  A: You will receive a call from our office generally within a week with your lab results.

• Q: How do I obtain a prescription refill?

  A: 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.

• Q: Does your practice support breastfeeding mothers?

  A: Yes, we promote breastfeeding. 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.

• Q: I just gave birth. When should I schedule my baby's first doctor visit?

  A: We recommend that your newborn be seen in our office the within 48 to 72 hours after discharge from the hospital. If our physician sees you in the hospital, our office will contact you within 24 hours of discharge and will set up any appointment with your newborn. If you did not deliver at Morristown Memorial Hospital or Overlook Hospital, please call on the date of discharge. Our staff understands the importance of this first visit and will make every effort to schedule this visit promptly.

• Q: When should my baby start solid foods?

  A: 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.