COVID Recovery Center
Pediatric COVID Recovery Center
The Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health Pediatric COVID-19 Recovery Center is a multidisciplinary center with the expertise to address symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath, “brain fog,” muscle and joint pain, and any other persistent symptoms following an acute COVID-19 infection in children and adolescents to age 22. Appointments are scheduled in the outpatient Pediatric Center at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center.To address the wide range of symptoms that some children experience after infection with COVID-19, this special COVID Recovery Center brings together multiple pediatric specialists at a single visit to evaluate a child experiencing “Long COVID”. Pediatricians, pediatric rheumatologists, pediatric pulmonologists, pediatric cardiologists, pediatric neurologists and pediatric rehabilitation specialists work collaboratively to evaluate and offer treatment solutions. Your child will be seen by specialists tailored to his or her specific symptoms reported on a pre-visit symptom questionnaire. Social work and child life services are available to support the mental health needs and well-being of each child and family.
Billing and Insurance
To view insurance plans Hackensack Meridian Health participates in, please visit Billing and Insurance.Frequently Asked Questions
For more information about our COVID recovery services for children, please check out answers to our frequently asked questions below.
Who qualifies as a patient? Is a COVID-19 or MIS-C diagnosis required?
Any child, under the age of 22 years old, who had COVID-19 or MIS-C, diagnosed either via PCR or antibody can be seen in the clinic—no matter when the child was diagnosed. It is imperative that patients with active COVID infection not make an appointment until 14 days symptom free or make us aware of current status to accommodate virtual visits.
What are examples of COVID-19 or MIS-C symptoms, following recovery?
A variety of symptoms from fatigue and joint pain, to headache and “brain fog”, and even chest pain or shortness of breath can be evaluated, and recommendations made for management. Once you call for an appointment a questionnaire will be sent to you where you can report the symptoms so your care team of physicians can be coordinated.
Does a parent need to provide any documentation for their child to be patient? If so, what records are needed?
Similar to other doctor’s visits, you will need your insurance card and to answer questionnaires relating to family and medical history. If families have already had evaluations by other specialists, these records and laboratories should be sent prior to the visit or brought to the visit.
How soon can my child become a patient of the Pediatric COVID-19 Recovery Center?
Within 1-2 weeks of calling for an appointment.
If my child was asymptomatic when diagnosed with COVID-19 or MIS-C, can they be treated in the Pediatric COVID-19 Recovery Center?
Yes
What pediatric specialties currently treat out of the Pediatric COVID-19 Recovery Center?
General pediatrics, rheumatology, cardiology, pulmonology, physiatry, neurology, social work and child life.
What if my child needs a specialist who does not work directly out of the Pediatric COVID-19 Recovery Center?
We will coordinate, if possible, and can gather information from these specialists.
Does my child need to be treated by all Pediatric COVID-19 Recovery Center specialists?
No. Your child only needs to see the doctors based on his/her/they symptoms. On average, patients visit with 2 to 4 physicians each visit, depending on your child’s symptoms. There will be a co-pay for each physician based on your insurance requirements.
My child already has a specialist, will you work with my current specialist?
Yes, if you have shared the information, we will do our best to coordinate care with your existing specialists.
How quickly can I see a physician if my child is experiencing symptoms or an emergency?
We encourage patients who are having acute symptoms requiring interventions to seek their typical emergency care, through either the emergency department or through their pediatrician. We hope to see patients within 2-4 weeks when needed.
What is the wait for follow up appointments?
Follow-up appointments will be scheduled with the first visit. Children will be seen as needed in conjunction with the team recommendation.
How long is an average appointment?
2-3 hours.
How long is it expected a patient would be treated for ongoing care by the Pediatric COVID Recovery Center?
This is dependent on your child’s symptoms, recovery, and needed intervention. As this is a new condition, we aren’t sure how long the symptoms will last.
When are appointments available? Are walk-ins welcome?
Clinics run weekly on Wednesday afternoon from 2-4 pm. There are no walk-in appointments available.
