FAQs

Usually not. Antibiotics are powerful drugs, but they only treat bacterial illnesses. Many childhood infections are viral and do not improve with antibiotics. However, overuse of antibiotics can cause serious problems, like drug resistance and allergic reactions. We always try to target medication use in children to those times when we believe it is most likely to be helpful.

That depends a bit on who you ask. We believe that every child older that 2 years ought to have an annual routine physical, at least until they are fully grown. At these visits we monitor growth and development, discuss nutrition, exercise, and safety, attend to routine vaccination, and complete periodically recommended screening tests. Schools, day care facilities, camps, and other groups can all have their own rules regarding frequency, and medical insurance can have unrelated standards as to what they consider a “covered benefit” under your plan.

We request at least 24 hours prior notice if you cannot make a previously scheduled appointment. We will do our very best to reschedule you quickly for a more mutually convenient time.

Sadly not. Co-pays (and co-insurance and deductibles) are determined by your insurance plan. They can vary widely and are beyond our control. Under most plans, it would be considered fraudulent to bill insurance for a doctor visit and not collect the co-pay. The only way to waive a co-pay is to waive the cost of the entire visit.

n some, mostly surgical, specialties, follow-up visits are expected routinely for good medical care. In these situations, doctors can use a “global billing” code which provides a higher payment up-front but includes subsequent visits for the same problem or procedure. However, most of these codes cannot be used in pediatrics. Thus, the up-front payments are smaller and subsequent visits are not included. We don’t make the rules, but we do have to play by them.

Well, not always, but it is often unavoidable because we cannot predict the complexity of some problems before patients arrive and the need to accommodate medical emergencies as they occur. You can help by coming five minutes before your scheduled time and calling ahead for appointments.

We fill these out routinely. Just drop them at the front desk and we can have them ready for you within 2 working days.

Nothing could be simpler.  Just call 203-265-9890.  Sick visits are seen the same day by whichever doctor is available.  We prefer if you call ahead, as it means less waiting time for everyone, but we can accommodate walk-ins as well.  Routine physicals are scheduled in advance with the doctor of your choice.  For continuity, we encourage families to keep these visits with the same provider whenever possible.