Good questions to ask before you join.
What it costs, what insurance still covers, and how to reach your doctor after hours. If yours isn't here, call either office or bring it to a free meet-and-greet.
Membership
What does membership cost?
Membership starts at $180 per child per month, with a $500 monthly maximum per family. Paying for the year saves 10%. The membership page has each plan.
How do I reach my doctor after hours?
Call, text, or video your doctor directly, at any hour. You get your doctor’s number when your membership starts. Always call 911 for an emergency.
How is my membership billed?
Membership fees are charged monthly to your bank account (preferred) or to your credit or debit card. Payment is due on or before the date of service. If your bank account has not been verified and payment made by your first visit, you will be asked to pay by credit or debit card on the day you are seen.
What is not covered by my membership fee?
- Vaccines, which can be billed to your insurance or paid for directly.
- Prescriptions sent to a pharmacy.
- Specialty visits with providers outside our office, hospital stays, ER visits, and urgent care visits. Medical services from other providers are billed to your insurance by those providers.
- Out-of-office procedures, imaging, and labs.
How do I add a child to my membership?
Call or visit either office and we will add your child. Both phone numbers and addresses are on the contact page.
How do I make changes to my membership?
Call or visit either office and we will make the change. Both phone numbers and addresses are on the contact page.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes. Our enrollment software accepts credit and debit cards and bank account information, and it lets you set up automatic payment on the date of your choosing.
Can I use HSA funds for my membership?
Each family should ask their financial advisor how they may or may not use HSA funds.
Do you offer a referral bonus?
Yes. For every family you refer who joins, you receive two months free on one membership as our thank you.
Visits and access
Is this health insurance?
No. Direct Pediatrics does not provide health insurance for your child.
Do I need health insurance?
Yes. We recommend you keep health insurance in case your child has a catastrophic event that needs hospital or emergency room care. We suggest a PPO plan, which lets us coordinate your care best and does not require referrals for specialists. HMO plans may refuse to pay for services or prescriptions not ordered by an in-network physician.
Will you bill my insurance for your services?
No. We are not contracted with any third-party insurance plans or networks. For vaccines given in our office, a third party can bill your insurance.
Do you take Medicaid?
Because of the laws on accepting payment from families covered by Medicaid, we are unable to see patients with Medicaid.
Testing and vaccines
Do you administer vaccines, and what is your position on vaccines?
Yes. We administer vaccines, and a third-party vendor can bill your health insurance for the vaccines and administration fees.
We encourage all 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. We will agree to see families who intend to get their children vaccinated on an alternate schedule but will continue to recommend the AAP schedule. If you do not plan to vaccinate your children, this practice would probably not be a good fit for your family.
Practical
Can I enroll before my child is born?
Yes. All memberships are confirmed by our staff before they become active, and you can set a future start date. Use the name you wish at enrollment and we will confirm it at your child’s birth before activating the membership.