The "phone hour" is a scheduled time from 7 AM - 8 AM every weekday morning during which you can speak directly to one of the Waterman physicians.  During this time we can answer questions about current illnesses and make sick visit appointments for that day.  During the winter months and at other times of greater frequency of illness this phone hour can be quite busy.  Please do not be discouraged if you cannot reach us during the phone hour.  You can always reach us during regular office hours and it is our policy to see all sick patients on the day that they call provided they call before 5 PM.  The office staff who answer our phones are well trained to present your questions and concerns to a doctor and in turn relay his/her answers back to you.  If you would like your question directed to a specific physician please advise the staff at the time of your call.  

 If you have a problem after hours, please call our office.  The answering service will forward your name and phone number to the doctor on call.  You should receive a return call within one hour of leaving your message.   If you have not heard from the doctor within an hour please call again.  In the event of an emergency we recommend you dial 911 or proceed to the Emergency Room.  In the unlikely event of a phone malfunction you can reach the answering service directly for urgent problems at 521-0900. 

        The on-call office is open to see sick patients in the mornings on Saturday and Sunday.  If your child is ill and you would like to have them seen please call in the morning so that we can accommodate all patients that need to be seen.  

 If you are unable to make your appointment please cancel with as much notice as possible so that your time slot may be filled by another patient.  

 We try to keep our charges as reasonable as possible.  In order to reduce our billing charges we ask that you pay the receptionist at the end of the visit. We will give you a receipt at that time for your records or to submit to your insurance company.  Please inform us of any insurance changes as soon as they occur.  Our billing is done at the Coastal Medical corporate office.  Please direct all billing questions to 421-0011.

 Our patients are very active in school, summer camps, sports and other activities that require health forms to be completed.  These forms are often complicated and take time to complete.  Please allow 3 business days to have your forms completed.  If you enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope we will gladly mail the forms back to you.  Please complete the portions of the form that are known to you, including the immunization records.  If you do  not know your child's vaccination dates please copy the completed form for your records.  There is a $5 charge for each sports, camp or school form completed.  There is no charge for WIC forms.  Please notify the staff if this charge presents a financial hardship.  You may fax forms to us at 751-8734. 

 We admit our patients to Hasbro Children's Hospital and Women & Infants' Hospital.

 We currently share after hours call on weeknights and weekends with 4 other pediatricians.  Therefore, the doctor returning your call may not be from Waterman Pediatrics.  We feel fortunate to have such outstanding physicians sharing in our after hours patient care.