Both Concierge Pediatrics and Direct Primary Care are healthcare models that prioritize personalized care, direct access to physicians, and preventative healthcare. Despite the nomenclature, they are both similar in the care provided. They both operate on a subscription-based system. In this model, pediatricians offer direct medical care to their patients without the involvement of insurance companies or third-party payers. However, there are some concierge practices that do, bill some services to insurance companies (usually PPO plans). Under Concierge/DPC, patients pay a monthly or annual membership fee to their pediatrician, who then provides them with a range of services such as preventative care, acute care, chronic disease management, behavioral health counseling, and more. This payment model allows for longer appointments and more personalized care, as the pediatrician is not constrained by the limitations of insurance billing codes and reimbursement rates. • Services: Concierge/DPC focuses on primary care services • Load: Both models have a lower patient-to-doctor ratio than traditional insurance-based practices and depending on the number of providers in the practice, which comes out to a maximum of 200-350 patients per provider. In comparison traditional insurance-based practices have 2,000-3,000 patients per provider.

The Concierge/DPC model assures the pediatrician is your partner in caring for your child (the doctor is not accountable to an insurance company or health system). It assures you have unparalleled access to your doctor. Together you and your doctor can decide whether an office visit is needed or if a text conversation, phone call, or video visit makes more sense. Additionally, the smaller number of patients cared for by the pediatrician assures the doctor is not rushed. Whereas in a traditional insurance based practice your child is one out of 2, 500-3,000 patient per pediatrician, my practice will max at no more than 300 children. Each family is a integral part of our pediatric family and will not accept more patient that is. Our goal is to offer (when available) same day, and certainly a next day appointment as needed. And most importantly, you will exclusively, see your doctor who knows you, your child, and your family. Whole Pediatrics is truly like having a pediatrician in the family.

Monthly subscription rates include all the following provided by Dr. Bost, an American Board of Pediatrics certified doctor: • Home visits for newborns (living within 30 miles of the office) – yes, you do not need to bring your newborn into the office (I understand those challenges!) • All well visits (check-ups). I actually like to see kids more frequently than the typical once a year well visit that is covered by insurance. Kids are constantly changing and growing. • Unlimited sick visits (in-person or virtual) • In-office testing for strep throat, flu, RSV, and COVID • Provision of common medications - yes, no need to drag your sick child to the pharmacy for common medications (minimal additional charge may apply) • All routine vaccinations provided through our partner Vaxcare (we administer the vaccines and Vaxcare bills your insurance) • School/camp/sports physical forms • Management of minor trauma, injuries, and lacerations (splinting, glue, wound management) • Developmental and behavioral screenings • Counseling and guidance (nutrition, development, sleep, toileting, behavior, parenting, and more) • Management of chronic conditions such as eczema, asthma, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and more • Care coordination for diagnostic testing, specialty care, emergency care and hospital care

Unfortunately, regular house calls went by the wayside in the 1960s. During this period, doctors started to focus on economic efficiency, inspiring a change to seeing patients in their offices. Additionally, in the 1960s, insurance plans became more commonplace, and the doctor-patient relationship moved from personal to more business-like. During that transition in the 1960s it was thought house calls were "an inefficient use of doctors’ time", however, the almost complete elimination of house calls has not increased efficiency, it has only transferred the cost of travelling and waiting from doctors to patients.

We are your partner in all aspects of child health and development. I do not work for insurance companies as their regulations can limit the ability to advocate for your child. The Concierge/Direct Pediatric Care (DPC) model, by design, does not participate in medical insurance. This, in fact, is the secret sauce assuring the success of Concierge/DPC practices across the country. Removing insurance requirements allows us to provide a far higher level of care compared to other practices. Your membership fee should not be considered insurance. It is recommended you still have health insurance. We may need to use your insurance information like for vaccine reimbursement. If that is not an option, there is a vaccine fee plus a vaccine administration fee. Some uninsured patients qualify for vaccines at no cost through the state funded Vaccines for Children Program (VFC).(https://eziz.org/vfc/overview/) For diagnostic tests and x-rays, some insurances may cover. If covered, we will send your insurance information to the laboratory or radiology department to cover your child’s diagnostic testing, if needed. And lastly, you will need health insurance in case your child needs to see a specialist, receive emergency care, or is hospitalized. In this model insurance is truly used as a safety net as are many other types of insurance you may carry. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/e8f9c8_77cc489b7af74e0f89dd5f5cb4c1e5c4/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

YES. WE RECOMMEND YOU MAINTAIN HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE IN THE EVENT YOUR CHILD HAS A CATASTROPHIC EVENT THAT WILL NEED HOSPITAL OR EMERGENCY ROOM CARE. We suggest a PPO plan that allows us to coordinate your child's care best and will not need prior authorizations for referral to specialists. Typically, HMO plans may refuse to pay for any services or prescriptions not ordered by an in-network physician. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/e8f9c8_77cc489b7af74e0f89dd5f5cb4c1e5c4/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

You certainly may pay your monthly membership with your HSA or FSA. However, every HSA and FSA plan has different rules, so we suggest you contact your plan to confirm this.

Anything not listed as included in the membership (see FAQ on included services) is not included. • Some Medications/Prescriptions not dispensed by Whole Pediatrics • Specialty Visits, Hospital Stays, ER Visits, Urgent Care Visits, Etc: Any Medical Services From Other Medical Providers Will Be Billed To Your Insurance By Those Providers. • Out-Of-Office Procedures such as Imaging, Or Labs. • In other words, if it is not something your doctor can physically do for you in the office, your standard insurance will apply.

The membership model is actually more affordable for many families! The savings becomes clear when you consider the lower cost of a high deductible health plan (HDHP), the avoided office visits for minor medical problems like some rashes and pink eye, the all-inclusive office testing for strep, flu, and COVID, and the likelihood that you will avoid several urgent care or ER visit every few years. In a traditional practice, all these visits would add up to several thousand dollars a year. If you feel the Concierge model is right for you but that you cannot afford membership, speak with us. Since we do not take insurance, we do have limited reduced rate memberships available.

Yes, we believe that parents and children get better care in the comfort of their own home. We currently offer all care in your home or at the home of an authorized care giver. This is to make getting care as easy as possible and allows for less stress, especially when your child is sick. We even bring the baby vaccinations to your home! Other home-based visits may occur if your doctor feels it is right for your child’s needs.

Yes we do! There are so many issues and conditions that can be managed without bringing your child to the office or urgent care. We will help you via secure text and email, send us a picture, and virtual video visits. And of course, we are available via a telephone call. We do it all, as you and the doctor see best for your child. After all, we provide unparalleled access to your pediatrician.

We Encourage All Of Our Families To Vaccinate Their Children According To The Schedule Recommended By The AAP And The ACIP. We Believe That Vaccines Are Modern Medicine's Most Important Contribution To Both The Health Of Individuals And Populations. However, We Respect A Parent's Right To Make Medical Decisions For Their Children, And Will Work With Families Who Do Not Desire To Vaccinate, Or Who Desire To Follow An Alternative Vaccine Schedule, After We Have Been Able To Discuss Their Concerns Together.

Certainly. We understand that when you have a sick child, the last thing most parents want to do is make another stop at the pharmacy. We in most cases stock commonly used pediatric medicines. We estimate that we can supply half of all acute care prescriptions from our office. No need to wait for the pharmacy. And our fee is often much cheaper than a pharmacy which has all sorts of associated costs built into their price. We do not stock long term medications or controlled substances such as ADHD medications.

We are here for you. First, since we are not employed by any one hospital system, we are unbiased: we will help you find the best and most appropriate care for your child considering both their condition and your health insurance. The complexity of pediatric hospital care has caused this to become a pediatric specialty requiring additional training and as such we believe that children are better cared for by the doctors who spend all their time in the hospital setting. Nonetheless, your doctor will be with you through every step of your child’s hospitalization while the hospitalist oversees care. We will be in touch with the doctors managing your child’s care, help you to interpret and understand what is occurring, and assure the best possible care is provided.

Of course. Unparalleled direct access to your doctor is our promise. But remember, pediatricians are people too! Your doctor may sometimes be unavailable due to vacation or family obligations. In these circumstances, I will openly communicate how to access the care you need.

No problem. The process is just like when in town. Simply email, text, or call and we will arrange a plan that works best for you and your child. Even more, as the Concierge/DPC level of care grows, your child may even be able to be seen by another provider wherever you are!

Absolutely. Have you ever scheduled an appointment months in advance, only to sit in the waiting room for an hour, followed by an unsatisfying 10–15-minute visit with your pediatrician? Or called the doctor’s office in the morning with a question only to receive a call back at the end of the day and find out you still need an appointment? These scenarios are common. Because of the DPC model, our pediatric care different. This is pediatric care designed for your family. For one flat monthly subscription you have unlimited access to your doctor (in person or virtually). You will not be brought into the office just so an insurance claim can be generated to pay for a doctor’s time. You will not be rushed during your appointments. Your doctor will have the time to truly get to know you, your child, and your family. We will help you realize your dreams for your children. We will assist you in becoming the best parent possible and to have healthy, happy, and thriving children

It’s simple. Just fill out a request for a doctor to contact you by clicking the contact button. I will contact you (email/text/call as you wish) and arrange for a complimentary meet and greet appointment. Whole Pediatrics is not a typical pediatric office. We encourage you to experience the way pediatrics should be.

In the DPC model, health insurance is used just like your other types of insurances – for unforeseen situations that may occur. Every child needs a pediatrician – it is not an unforeseen need. And the price is right. The average membership costs about $5 per day. That’s right – about the same as you pay for a Starbucks coffee or a movie stream. And for your membership you get services not found in a traditional pediatric office (review table below). Whole Pediatrics will provide a medical experience unlike anything you’ve had before. Just because you have health insurance does not mean you are receiving the highest quality pediatric care. Our goal is to do what is best for our patients. Look at the list of services you receive all for one flat monthly membership (see FAQ on included services) without copays or charges for services not covered by your insurance (and you have certainly experienced that). Our goal is to provide unparalleled access to your doctor providing you piece of mind and added comfort in knowing unforeseen medical issues are covered too.

Enrollment in one of our practices is very simple. All you need to do is complete enrollment form online and one of our I will contact you personally to answer your questions and then a time to meet in person. If you decided that Whole Pediatrics makes sense for your family, there are a few more forms to complete and that’s that! Most patients can be set up to see me within a matter of days! After your child is enrolled, we will set up an intake appointment so that we can make sure that we learn everything there is to know about your child and family to ensure that we are able to take the best care of your family.

We are here when you need us! Our offices don’t have specific office hours because kids don’t get sick between the hours of 9am-5pm! Certainly, we will try to keep most visits during regular day hours, but at Whole Pediatrics, our primary focus is taking care of your family. If your pediatrician decides that your child needs a sick visit in the evening or on the weekend, that’s what we do!

Yes. All memberships are confirmed before they become active, and you can set a future start date for membership. You may use whatever name you wish at the time of enrollment, and we will confirm it at the time of your child’s birth before activating your membership.