What is the best way to reach the office?
Calling us is always the best way to reach us, we have one phone number for all departments, 203-452-1063. You can also send us an email at [email protected].
Who are the points of contact in the office?
We have five providers, all of which see patients and respond to phone calls, they are Dr. Marilyn Smith, Dr. John Tsalapatanis, Gretchen Carlin, PNP, Jane Donnelly, PNP, and Chelsea Gallagher, FNP. Our practice manager is Laura DiMeglio, and she is the go-to for any questions or concerns regarding the running of the business. Kathie Gomola, RN, is our nurse, and she will be able to answer any questions you have as well as giving vaccines. All members of our team can be reached at 203-452-1063.
What do I do if I have a question or concern after hours?
One of our five providers is on-call 24/7. To reach them after hours you will call our office, a recording will prompt you to press zero to speak to the answering service. We use Statlinx as our answering service, they will take down your information and send a message to the on-call provider who will then call you back. You can expect a call back within twenty minutes. If you do not hear back from someone, please call back.
Do the providers use evidence-based care?
Yes! Evidence-based care is using the best available evidence for decision making. All our providers are board certified and follow evidence-based care guidelines provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
What if my child is sick in the evening or on the weekend?
Monday through Friday, our routine office hours end at 5 pm. We do, however, offer evening hours Monday through Thursday as needed. Saturday and Sunday appointments are for sick visits only and can only be made on that day. Sunday appointments will be made by the discretion of the on-call doctor.
Is there an extra charge to have my child come to the office for an after-hours visit or on the weekend?
Yes, there is an extra charge if your child is seen after hours or on the weekend. This charge is submitted to your insurance company. Although most insurance companies cover this charge, you may want to check your individual plan first. There is no charge to speak with the on-call doctor over the phone.
Do you offer well child exams on the weekends?
Since our priority on weekends is for urgent and sick visits, we do not offer well child exams on the weekends. Our only exception would be for newborns recently discharged from the hospital and require a follow-up visit.
How do I refill my child’s prescription?
If your child needs a medication refilled, please contact your pharmacy prior to calling the office. Even if the prescription has no refills left, the pharmacy can request the refill for you and the doctor will decide whether or not to accept the request. Please allow 48 hours for the prescription to be filled. No refills will be given on weekends.
How long does it take for a form to be completed?
Forms take up to five days to be completed. Forms are completed in the order they are received. The nurses complete forms between answering phone calls and administering vaccinations. If you need a form completed the same day it is requested there is a $25.00 fee because we are putting that form first and completing it ahead of the forms that have been waiting.
Why do I have to show my insurance card at each visit?
While it may seem redundant to parents, it is an insurance company requirement that we ask you to present your insurance card at each visit.
What is your cancellation policy?
To best serve all our families, we ask parents to call us at least 24 hours prior to a scheduled well exam appointment or two hours prior to a “sick” appointment if you need to cancel. A fee of $50.00 will be charged when a well exam is missed and $25.00 for a missed “sick” appointment.
I received a notice that my insurance company did not pay for a service; why is that? Also, can you resubmit a denied insurance claim?
Payment from your insurance company is not guaranteed even if we accept that insurance. We do not have information on your individual policy and its coverage. If you receive a notice that a service was denied, please call your insurance company. They can tell you the specific reason a claim was denied. If it is appropriate or if an error was made, we will be happy to resubmit your claim as long as it is within your insurance company’s filing limit (usually 60-90 days).
How can I pay my balance?
You can pay your bill right from our website, just click the "pay bill" icon at the top of the page. Balances can also be paid in the office or over the phone.
How do I have my child’s medical records forwarded to my new doctor?
Before records can be transferred, a release of medical information form must be signed. If your child is 18 years of age or older, he or she must sign for themselves; this is a legal requirement. You may pick this form up from our office or print it from our forms section of this website. After we receive the signed authorization, we can fax them to your new doctor or you can pick them up.
