Office News & Updates
New Office Location Announced
In early summer of 2023, we will move to the third floor of the Crescent Gateway in Bethesda, MD. Read our letter.
Revised Office Policies
Please review our new policies on the Office Policies page. You will find information about telehealth visits, after-hours care, payments, insurance and more.
Covid-19 Update 11/18/21
Covid-19 Vaccine
We have been approved by the DC Health Department for giving Covid-19 vaccines to children aged 5- to 11-years-old. That said, the health department did not include private medical practices in their initial phase for administering the vaccine. We will post an update as soon as we have the vaccine in the office.
Telehealth Visits
Insurance companies having been reimbursing doctors for telehealth visits since the beginning of the pandemic. Over the past nine months, some of them have rescinded this policy only to change their minds at a later time. This has made it difficult for medical providers to know what services are covered.
At the present time, United Health Care and Cigna are paying for telehealth visits. Accordingly, we will be billing them for virtual care that we provide for our patients. However, keep in mind that we are seeing all patients in the office, so telehealth visits are optional.
Covid-19 Testing
We now offer same day results for Covid-19 testing. We do PCR tests when indicated for children who are being seen for sick visits. We also test well children in the parking lot for anyone who needs a screen to return to school, etc. When you call the office, tell the receptionist if you need a PCR Covid-19 screen rather than a sick visit.
The results for PCR tests will be available by 9 p.m. on the day they were done. If the test is positive, someone from the office will call you. If the test is negative, you will receive an email from the lab. If you do not hear from anyone, please call the office after 9 a.m.
Policies to Help Prevent the Spread of the Coronavirus
- All of our clinical staff members have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
- Patients will continue to call us from the parking lot when they arrive at the office. This will allow us to control the flow of patients into and out of the office.
- Wearing masks is still required for all but our youngest patients.
- We arranged the waiting room so patients will be sitting six feet from each other.
- Exam rooms will be cleaned in between patients.
Drs. Bennett, Ahlstrom and Rosloff
What Science Says About Children, COVID-19 and School Reopenings
https://www.factcheck.org/
Vaccine Policy During the Coronavirus Pandemic
In order to give vaccines in the safest way possible for our families and staff, we have set up the following protocol:
- Children should come to the office with only one parent or caregiver.
- The child and caregiver must be well and have had no contact with anyone who has COVID-19 or is being tested for the virus.
- Parents, please call when you arrive in the parking lot. But you should stay in your car until we call you back. If you have a facemask, please wear it during the visit. If you don’t have a mask, we will give you one when you enter the office.
- In most cases, one child and one parent per family will be scheduled for a vaccine on a given day. If two children need to be vaccinated, each child will be given an appointment, but there must be one caregiver present for each child. While one child is getting a shot, the other one will be in the car with the second parent or guardian. The second child will come to the office after the first one
leaves. - For babies, shots may be given more efficiently if the child is kept in his or her car seat. This means the child should be dressed in a onesie so the nurse doesn’t need to undress the baby for the shot.
- For toddlers and preschoolers, parents need to be prepared to hold their child so the shots can be given safely.
- Once the vaccine is administered, you will promptly leave the office to minimize exposures to other families. Any concerns or questions may be addressed by follow-up call.
- If parents show up sick or with a sick child, you will be asked to leave and reschedule the visit.
- Nurses will wear facemasks and gloves when administering vaccines.
- Rooms will be thoroughly cleaned after each visit.
- You will be billed for the visit rather than having to provide any copays during the visit.
Previous Updates
Meningitis Type B Vaccine Available
AAP Urges Vaccinations
We at Chevy Chase Pediatrics strongly recommend to vaccinate against childhood illnesses. Please read the article below to address the importance of the measles vaccine in light of the current measles outbreak. If you have any questions, please schedule an appointment with your provider to discuss your child’s vaccinations. American Academy of Pediatrics President Urges Parents to Vaccinate Their Children Against Measles
Dr. Bennett’s Site
Patients are welcomed to check out the latest on Dr. Bennett’s personal website, HowardJBennett.com, which has frequent posts including fun stuff for kids as well as a blog and medical information for parents.
Only Two Shots Needed for HPV Vaccine
Adult Booster Shots
Adolescents have received tetanus/diphtheria booster shots (Td) for decades. In 2005, we started giving pertussis (whooping cough) boosters to our teenage patients. This decision was based on research that showed childhood immunity to pertussis waned during adolescence. The vaccine is called Tdap and is usually given at the 11-year-old physical. It protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Adults are at risk to get pertussis as well and are more likely to spread the infection to infants. In 2005, the CDC recommended the routine use of a single dose of Tdap for adults 19-64 years of age to replace the next booster shot for tetanus and diphtheria (Td). The CDC recommended getting a Tdap sooner for adults that have close contact with infants less than 12 months of age. In 2010, there was an outbreak of pertussis in California that claimed the lives of several infants. This has led to a renewed interest in vaccinating adults against this serious and highly contagious disease. The best place for parents to get a Tdap is from their own doctors. However, if this cannot be arranged, we will give you the vaccination in our office. You can schedule a nurse’s visit to get the shot or we can give it to you if you are in the office with one of your children.
