Center for Endocrine Health
At the Center for Endocrine Health, our mission is to provide academic quality medicine in the community setting through a multidisciplinary approach to disease management.
Our approach is an individualized integrated health care experience that concentrates on healthy living, disease management/prevention, and behavior modification.
What is Endocrine Health?
The endocrine system is a system of glands that make hormones. These hormones help to control many different functions in the body such as the rate of metabolism, bone health, growth, and reproduction. Hormones also coordinate nutrition within the body. The endocrine glands include the thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes, adrenals, pituitary, and hypothalamus. A number of conditions occur when there is a hormone imbalance. Our goal is to get this back in order, through a multidisciplinary patient-centered approach.
- Diabetes mellitus
- Diabetes treatment and risk assessment
- Individualized comprehensive diabetes care
- Insulin pump therapy
- Continuous glucose monitoring
- Thyroid disease
- Management of thyroid cancer
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypothyroidism and its complications
- Thyroid nodule assessment
- Management of enlarged thyroid (goiter)
- Osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease
- Diagnosis and management of osteoporosis
- Weight Loss
- Paget’s disease of bone
- Hypercalcemia
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Diagnosis and management of:
- Cholesterol disorders
- Secondary hypertension
- Pituitary disease
- Adrenal disease
- Hypogonadism
Thank you for choosing the Center for Endocrine Health for your medical care.
In order to provide the best care and timely service, we would like to share with you our office policies and procedures. Please read carefully.
Appointments
We see patients by appointment only. In order for our patients to be seen in a timely fashion, please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. If you are late, we will do our best to see you but you may have to wait several hours or reschedule the appointment to another day. Our practice policy is to charge a “NO-SHOW” FEE of $25.00 for the second time a patient has not shown up for his/her appointment without contacting our office within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment. We appreciate your efforts to be here on time for your appointment and for understanding the value of the time that has been set-aside for you.
Test Results
Please allow two weeks for us to receive all the results and contact you by phone or mail. If you do not hear from us two weeks after you have had a test, please call the office.
Phone Calls
If you have a medical emergency, please call 911.
Otherwise, please leave your message in the appropriate voice mailbox so your message/request is not delayed. Please speak slowly, spell your name and give your date of birth. We will try our best to get back to you that day. It is best to call early in the day.
Prescriptions
Please ask your physician to refill your medications at the time of your visit. If a refill request is needed between visits, please check with your pharmacy for refills. The pharmacy will contact us to if a new prescription is needed. Please do not wait until you are at the end of your prescription to call.
Please bring the following information to the visit with you:
- The completed registration form and your insurance card. If your insurance requires a referral to see a specialist, please bring it with you to the visit or ask your doctor’s office to fax it to us. If you do not have your referral on the day of your visit we may have to reschedule your scheduled appointment. It is your responsibility to obtain the referral and make sure it is available at the time of your appointment.
- A list of all your medications, supplements, herbs and any over the counter medications including dosages and what time you take them. Please make a note of any prescriptions that need renewals.
- Medical records such as your most recent blood work, reports of any scans you have had done, a copy of your most recent office visit and a note from your doctor regarding your treatment. It is very important to your care that the doctor has as much information as possible. We ask that you contact your doctor’s office to make sure your records have been sent to us unless you are bringing them with you.
For our patients being referred for their diabetes:
- Type 1 - Please bring your log book. You should be checking your blood sugar at least four times per day.
- Type 2 - Please bring your log book. You should be checking your blood sugar at least two times per day, once before breakfast and two hours after lunch or after your largest meal. If you are pregnant-you should be checking your blood sugar at each meal and one hour after each meal.
Thank you again for choosing the Center for Endocrine Health for your medical care.
Medically Supervised Weight Loss & Nutrition Services
PLEASE NOTE: Weight Loss and Nutrition Services is located at the Wescott Medical Arts Center, 9100 Wescott Drive, Suite 102, Flemingon, NJ.
If you and your doctor determine that non-surgical treatment is the best option for you, you will be referred to another physician to begin a medically supervised weight loss program.
Your physician may recommend OPTIFAST or a Weight Loss Medication Program for you if your Body Mass Index (BMI) is 30 or greater.
An adult with a BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese. Morbid obesity is defined as an adult that is approximately 100 pounds or more overweight, has a BMI of 40 or more, or has a BMI of 35 or more in combination with a health-related condition.
Check your BMI here.
Different from many other weight loss solutions, OPTIFAST is a medical weight loss program that closely monitors and assesses your progress toward better health and well-being as you lose weight. During your journey with OPTIFAST, we’ll ensure that your medication dosage and the calorie level of your diet are adjusted accordingly, making your weight loss both safe and effective.
OPTIFAST Meal Replacements
The weight loss success of the OPTIFAST Program is based on the use of meal replacements during the active weight loss phase of the program. Simple and effective, OPTIFAST meal replacements provide many benefits:
- High-quality, complete nutrition
- Pre-portioned and calorie-controlled servings
- Quick and simple preparation
- Freedom from having to make food choices
Some people are skeptical about their ability to follow this type of diet but adjusting to a full meal replacement food plan only takes about seven days. And many OPTIFAST patients report they feel more energetic than they have for a long time.
Positive change can occur quickly. In addition to losing weight, you will improve your overall health, learn better eating habits and engage in physical activity so that when you return to self-prepared foods, you are better equipped to manage your weight for the rest of your life.
OPTIFAST Medically Supervised Weight Loss Frequently Asked Questions
What is OPTIFAST?
OPTIFAST is a comprehensive weight management program that combines lifestyle education and medical monitoring with a great-tasting meal replacement. To get detailed information on the OPTIFAST Program, patients attend a free, no-obligation consultation that takes about one hour.
How much does OPTIFAST cost?
he cost of the OPTIFAST Program varies by location and clinic and is based on the specific program that is right for your weight loss goals and individual medical situation. To get detailed information on the best option, costs, and insurance reimbursement, patients are asked to attend a free readiness consultation.
Is OPTIFAST covered by insurance?
When it comes to weight loss, insurance coverage varies by state. Before your initial office visit, it’s important to contact your insurance provider to see what they cover. Employee benefits and health care spending accounts are also options for reimbursement with some employers.
How much weight will I lose?
Although individual results vary, a 52-pound average weight loss has been documented in over 20,000 patients who completed 22 weeks of the program. Additionally, on average, they saw a 15% reduction in cholesterol, a 29% reduction in blood glucose, and a 10% reduction in blood pressure.
How does OPTIFAST compare to other weight loss programs?
Unlike other weight loss programs or products, the OPTIFAST Program treats the whole person, not just their weight. Through comprehensive lifestyle education and medical monitoring, the OPTIFAST Program has been clinically proven to help individuals lose weight and keep it off.
Are there any side effects? What are the risks?
ll OPTIFAST formulas are nutritionally complete, contain high-quality protein, and meet 100% of nutritional needs. Individuals are medically monitored to reduce the potential for side effects and to maximize improvements in weight-related health risks.
Who is Nestlé/OPTIFAST?
OPTIFAST, a division of Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition, Inc. (formerly Novartis Medical Nutrition), has been an innovator and leader in clinically validated weight management for over three decades. This division specializes in providing nutritional products, including OPTIFAST, and treatment protocols to aid overweight and obese individuals with their weight management goals. Over one million patients have used OPTIFAST nationwide since 1974.
What kind of health care professionals are part of the program? While each clinic is different, typically a weight management team will include a physician who provides regular monitoring of health status and a dietitian who provides nutritional support on various lifestyle topics.
How long is the program? The length of the OPTIFAST Program varies by individual, depending on their weight loss goals. The program has three phases:
1. Active weight loss
2. Transition
3. Ongoing maintenance
Weight Loss Medication may be an option for some patients. There are several medications that work in different ways to help patients lose weight. Some work to curb your appetite or make you feel fuller, while others work to prevent your body from absorbing the fat in the foods you eat. An extensive health assessment will be performed to determine if you are a candidate for weight loss medication, and which option may work best for you. When prescribed, weight loss medications—along with lifestyle changes (including a personalized meal plan and exercise program)—can be a successful combination to help you achieve and sustain meaningful weight loss.
Supervised Medical Weight Loss monitoring includes:
- A thorough preliminary medical examination and any necessary lab tests to determine your health status and rule out any risk factors.
- A personalized weight loss plan based on your health status and weight loss goals.
- Continued guidance and medical monitoring of your progress, health, and well-being throughout the course of treatment.
- Communication with your primary care physician, as necessary.
Weight Loss Medication Frequently Asked Questions
Are weight loss medications covered by insurance?
When it comes to weight loss and nutrition counseling, insurance coverage varies greatly. Before your initial office visit, it’s important to contact your insurance provider to see what they cover. It is also important to ask what medications are covered under your plan so your doctor can prescribe medications accordingly.
What weight loss medications does the physician prescribe?
The weight loss medications prescribed by the physicians in our office are phentermine, Qsymia, Contrave, and Saxenda.
Are there any side effects? What are the risks?
All medications may cause side effects. Individuals are medically monitored to reduce the potential for side effects and minimize weight-related health risks.
The Center for Endocrine Health offers metabolic testing, a ten-minute breath test that establishes a person’s unique metabolic rate. Your metabolic rate is the number of calories an individual burns in a day at rest.
It is important to know what your metabolic rate is because it can provide statistics to manage caloric intake for successful weight loss. During the test, the air you breathe out is analyzed to determine exactly how much oxygen the body consumes. This is how your metabolic rate is measured. Immediately after the test, the patient will know if their metabolism is low, normal, or high. The test also determines exactly how many calories a person needs to maintain, lose, or even gain weight. From there, it is a simple math equation of calories in, calories out.
Many times patients have no idea how many calories they should be eating to lose weight or improve the quality of their diet. This test will provide objective information to help design a personalized plan including specific examples of what and how to eat.
Your Weight Is More Than A Number On The Scale!
The Seca mBCA® Medical Body Composition Analysis scale not only measures body weight, but also can tell you the amount of fat, water, and lean body mass along with a risk assessment for overall health and disease prevention. This information, along with the guidance of a trained healthcare professional, can assist you in fully understanding your weight, setting goals, and tracking progress.
Call today to schedule your 30-minute appointment that includes:
- a 17-second scan
- a report
- interpretation done with a registered dietitian
Additional scans can show changes from the baseline scan.
Whether you choose to lose weight with surgery, meal replacement, medication, metabolic testing, or SECA scan, the registered dietitians at the Center for Endocrine Health will assist you with your changing nutritional needs in conjunction with our multidisciplinary programs. Our dietitians offer expert advice to help you develop healthier eating habits that will support weight loss, as well as long-term weight management.
Services include:
- Meal planning with meal replacement products
- Nutrition counseling based on Resting Energy Expenditure
- Recommendations on vitamin and mineral supplementation during weight loss
- Low calorie and very low calorie medically supervised food plans
- Assistance with electronic tracking and food record review
Is nutrition counseling covered by insurance?
Before your initial office visit, it’s important to contact your insurance provider to see what they cover.
Prescription Renewal
To help us serve you better, please arrange for prescription renewals during your visit with the physician. If it is necessary to have a refill before your next appointment, please ask your pharmacy to fax the request to 908-237-6054. Please allow one business day for your request to be processed.
Medical Record Update
Please use the link below to update your medical record anytime prior to coming to our office. When you check-in, the information will download into your chart for your care team to review.
Locations and Hours of Operation
Hunterdon Health Practices Accepted Insurance
It is important to have a good understanding of your healthcare benefits. Please call your managed healthcare provider directly with any questions and always verify coverage prior to making an appointment.
Present your insurance card at the beginning of each appointment and alert staff to any changes in your coverage. We will help you with your plan as it relates to benefits, referrals, and billing; but ultimately it is your responsibility to understand your insurance.
- Aetna
- Aetna Better Health
- Aetna CVS Health
- Aetna Assure Premier Plan
- Aetna Medicare Solutions
- Aetna Medicare Advantage (All plans)
- AmeriHealth (non-par with local value network)
- Beech Street
- Cigna
- Cigna Medicare Advantage
- Consumer Health Network (CHN)
- First Health
- HMC Patient Assistance Program
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
- All Blue Cross Plans through Blue Card Program
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield Indemnity
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield Direct Access (All product types)
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO (All product types)
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO (All product types)
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield OMNIA (All product types)
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield POS (All product types)
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO (All product types)
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage (All product types)
- Horizon Casualty
- Horizon NJ Health
- Horizon NJ TotalCare
- Horizon Value Access Plan-only offices in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex and Warren County
- MagnaCare
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Multiplan
- Oxford Health Plan PPO
- Oxford Health Plan HMO
- Oxford Medicare Advantage Plans-must reside in NJ
- Physician Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- QualCare PPO
- Tricare* (*Hunterdon Family Practice and Obstetrics only.)
- United Healthcare-Veterans Affairs Community Care Program
- United Healthcare Community Plan (NJFAMCAR) (Please note: Not accepted at Psychiatric Associates of Hunterdon)
- United Medicare Advantage Plans-must reside in NJ (Please note: Not accepted at Psychiatric Associates of Hunterdon)
- United Medicare Advantage Private Fee for Service Plans (PFFS)-must reside in NJ
Our “No Show” Policy
Our practice has a policy to charge a "No-Show" fee of $25.00 for the second time a patient has not shown up for his/her appointment without contacting our office within a reasonable amount of time prior to the appointment.
We appreciate your efforts to be here on time for your appointment and for understanding the value of the time that has been set aside for you. Thank you.