FAQ’s at
Our Office

How do I know if my insurance
provider covers my appointment?

We accept a number of major insurance providers at Generations Pediatrics & Internal Medicine. If you have any questions relating to the coverage of your appointment, you can contact our office or your insurance provider before your appointment.

What is clinical research and how does it apply to me?

Clinical research is a branch of health care science that determines the safety and effectiveness of medications, devices, diagnostic products, and treatment regimens intended for human use. We provide opportunities for patients to participate in medical research on a strictly voluntary basis. We would be happy to talk with you about research if it is of interest to you.

What should I do if I think someone in my family is sick?

If your question is not answered or you’re unsure if you need to be seen, call our office. Urgent after-hours concerns will be handled by our on-call provider. Please call during office hours for non-urgent concerns. There are great after-hours clinics in the Charleston area if you need to be seen before the following business day.

What resources does your office offer to assist new
mothers with breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is the healthiest nutrition for your infant. At Generations Pediatrics & Internal Medicine, we do all that we can to assist you in being successful with breastfeeding, but we recognize that it may not be ideal for all mothers and infants. A lactation consultant could be helpful to you during the breastfeeding process.

What should I do in the event that my child or I ingest
a poisonous substance?

In the event that a known ingestion or possible ingestion of medication, poison, chemical or other non-food item occurs, call South Carolina Poison Control immediately at 803.777.1117. For any medical emergency, call 911.

What is circumcision?

Circumcision is an optional procedure for male infants. This is most commonly performed in a hospital prior to being discharged. If your insurance provider does not cover infant circumcision, you will need to make payment arrangements with our office prior to your child’s birth.

How long should my child remain in a car seat?

South Carolina law requires the following protocol be followed in relation to children’s car seats: For children less than two years old, a rear-facing child passenger restraint system is required. Children ages 2-4 years old should remain in a forward-facing restraint seat. Once children reach 4-7 years old, they should be secured by a belt-positioning booster seat in the rear seat of the vehicle. For more information about car seat protocol, visit the South Carolina DMV’s website .

How do I know if my child has a fever?

If your child is less than three months old with a temperature that is greater than 100.4, it could be a medical emergency and you should call your medical provider immediately. For older patients who may be treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, you should always notify us if a fever is not responding to treatment or lasts longer than three days.

Is it ok for my child to participate in Strength Training?

Strength training uses a resistance to increase an individual’s strength. This may include: weight machines, free weights, bands or tubing, or the individual’s own body weight. Body building makes use of maximal lifts and is not recommended for children or adolescents. Further information and answers to common questions can be found here.

Who will see me or my child in the hospital if we
need to be admitted?

Adults and children requiring admission to the hospital will be taken care of by a hospital-based physician while needing in-patient care. At the time of admission and discharge, make sure that your hospital physician has our contact information to share pertinent records and results about the hospitalization.

How Often Should I...

How often should adult patients be seen?

It is a good idea to have an annual wellness exam even if you feel you are well. Individuals with chronic medical illnesses, like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, or COPD, may need to be seen every 1-3 months depending on individual health status.

How often should I bring my child in for a preventive care visit?

Routine care visits for your child are scheduled as follows: 2-3 days after being born, 2 weeks old, 2 months old, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, 2 years old, 30 month, and annually thereafter.

How often should my child visit the doctor if they
suffer from asthma?

Asthma symptoms will vary throughout a patient’s life. If your child has recently been diagnosed with asthma, it is important to coordinate a follow-up schedule with a health care provider. Patient visits can be scheduled anywhere from 2-6-week intervals or 1-6-month intervals depending on the individual. For more information on this topic, contact our office or visit the website for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.