Frequently Asked Questions

Direct Primary Care is a straightforward membership model: you pay me a monthly fee for direct access to your pediatrician—no insurance middleman for routine visits.

How it works:

• You pay a monthly membership fee directly to the practice
• You get direct access to me by phone, text, or in person
• No copays, no deductibles for the care I provide
• Unhurried appointments (30-60 minutes when needed)
• Appointments available much faster than traditional practices (usually same-day or next-day when I'm in the office)

This cuts out insurance hassles for routine care and gives you the time and attention your family deserves. I can focus on your child's health instead of insurance paperwork.

Traditional Pediatrics	Direct Primary Care
10-15 minute appointments	30-60 minute appointments
Copays for every visit	No copays (covered by membership)
Call nurse triage line, wait for callback	Direct access to Dr. Bost by message
Wait days/weeks for sick appointments	Usually same-day or next-day when available
See different doctors at group practice	Always see Dr. Bost
Doctor sees 30-40 patients per day	Smaller patient panel, more time per family
Insurance dictates care decisions	You and your doctor make decisions together

The biggest difference? In traditional practice, doctors work for insurance companies. In DPC, I work for you.

After 25+ years as a pediatrician, I've watched the healthcare system make it increasingly difficult to provide good care. Doctors spend more time on paperwork than with patients. Appointments are rushed. Families struggle to reach their doctor.

That's not the medicine I went to medical school to practice.

DPC lets me practice medicine the way it should be:

• Time to actually know my patients
• Appointments that aren't rushed
• Available when families need me
• Focus on health, not insurance coding

I'm launching Whole Pediatrics Group because families deserve better than what traditional practice can offer.

For Your Family:

• Direct Access: Call, text, or message me directly—no phone trees or nurse triage
• More Time: Unhurried appointments where we can address everything on your mind
• Faster Appointments: When your child is sick, you typically get seen same-day or next-day (when available)—much faster than traditional practices
• Real Relationships: I actually know your family, not just your chart
• No Surprise Bills: Membership covers all routine care—no copays or hidden fees
• Convenient: Home visits available, telemedicine options
• Prevention Focused: Time to discuss nutrition, development, behavior—not just sick visits

For Your Child:

• Sees the same doctor every time (builds trust)
• Appointments aren't stressful or rushed
• Doctor knows their history, personality, preferences
• Better continuity of care leads to better health outcomes

Whole Pediatrics Group is anticipated to launch in September 2027 but sooner with help of the Founding member's community in Riverside, California.

I'm currently building the practice infrastructure, setting up the office, and developing systems to provide excellent care. If you're interested in joining, I encourage you to schedule a consultation now so we can discuss whether my practice is a good fit for your family.

Step 1: Schedule a Consultation

Contact me to schedule a free 20-30 minute consultation (by phone or in person once office is open). We'll discuss your family's needs, explain how DPC works, and see if we're a good fit.

Step 2: Choose Your Membership Tier

Select the membership level that works for your family: Essential Care, Comprehensive Care, or Extended Care.

Step 3: Complete Enrollment

Sign the membership agreement, set up payment, and transfer medical records (if coming from another practice).

Step 4: Schedule Your First Appointment

Once enrolled, we'll schedule your child's initial appointment and you'll have direct access to me.

Whole Pediatrics Group accepts children from birth through age 18 (up to age 21 if continuing care from childhood).

You CAN enroll if:

• Your child has private health insurance
• Your child has no insurance (self-pay)
• You can afford the monthly membership fee
• You're looking for a pediatrician in the Riverside, CA area

You CANNOT enroll if:

• Your child has Medi-Cal (California Medicaid)
• Your child has CHIP or other government health insurance

Yes. To maintain quality care and ensure I have time for each family, I will limit enrollment to approximately 140-150 families.

Once the practice reaches capacity, new families will be placed on a waiting list. I recommend scheduling a consultation early if you're interested in joining.

Yes - Whole Pediatrics Group becomes your child's primary care pediatrician for all routine care. However, it's important to understand what this means:

✅ What DPC Replaces:

• Regular well-child visits and checkups
• Sick visits and minor illness care
• Ongoing chronic condition management (asthma, ADHD, allergies)
• Sports physicals, school forms, and routine paperwork
• Direct access to Dr. Bost for questions and guidance
• Preventive care and developmental monitoring

🏥 What DPC Does NOT Replace:

• Emergency room care (always call 911 or go to ER for emergencies)
• Hospital admissions and inpatient care
• Specialist consultations (cardiology, neurology, surgery, etc.)
• Major procedures or surgery
• Intensive care or trauma services

New to the Area: Welcome! Schedule a consultation and we'll discuss how to transition your child's care to Whole Pediatrics Group.

Expecting a Baby: You can enroll during pregnancy. I recommend scheduling a prenatal consultation in your third trimester. We'll discuss newborn care, feeding, and what to expect. Once your baby is born, they'll be enrolled at the membership rate for their age.

Comprehensive and Extended Care tiers include priority newborn scheduling and enhanced newborn support.

We have one membership level with simple age-based pricing. No confusing tiers—everyone receives the same exceptional care.

Founding Member Rates (First 100 Families - 20% Off):

• Ages 0-2 years: $120/month
• Ages 2-4 years: $104/month
• Ages 5-17 years: $80/month
• Ages 18-22 years: $60/month

Regular Rates (After Founding Member Period):

• Ages 0-2 years: $150/month
• Ages 2-4 years: $130/month
• Ages 5-17 years: $100/month
• Ages 18-22 years: $75/month

See our Membership & Pricing page for complete details.

All members receive comprehensive care including:

• Same/next-day appointments for urgent concerns
• Unlimited clinic visits (well-child and sick visits)
• Direct messaging access to Dr. Bost (24-hour response)
• Telemedicine consultations when appropriate
• Extended appointment times (30-45 minutes)
• Preventive care and comprehensive health screenings
• Treatment of acute illnesses and injuries
• Growth and developmental monitoring
• Behavioral health support & counseling
• Chronic condition management (asthma, ADHD, allergies, etc.)
• Minor procedures (ear wax removal, splinting, wound care)
• Sports physicals & school forms
• Care coordination and specialist referrals
• Prescription management
• BostMD app access (bilingual health resources)
• Bilingual care (English/Spanish)
• Member-exclusive lab pricing (80%+ off retail)

Age-Based Home Visits Included:

• Ages 0-6 months: 2 home visits per month included
• Ages 6 months - 2 years: 1 home visit per month included
• Ages 2+ years: Home visits available à la carte at $99 per visit

Your membership covers the care I provide directly. Services outside my practice are not included:

• Laboratory work and imaging: Blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds (however, I can order these at transparent, discounted member rates—often 80%+ off retail prices. See complete lab & imaging pricing)
• Specialist care: Cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, etc.
• Hospital care: ER visits, hospitalizations, surgery
• Prescriptions: Medications (use insurance or discount programs like GoodRx)
• Immunizations: Available through public health programs or insurance
• Durable medical equipment: Nebulizers, crutches, braces

This is why you still need health insurance - for specialists, hospital care, prescriptions, and emergencies.

We believe you should always know what to expect—no surprise bills. All lab and imaging services are available at transparent, member-exclusive rates, typically 80%+ off retail prices.

In-Office Point-of-Care Testing (results in minutes):

• Rapid Strep Test: $30
• Rapid Flu A/B: $35
• RSV Rapid Test: $35
• COVID-19 Rapid: $25
• Urine Dipstick: Included for members
• Finger Stick Glucose: Included for members

Common Laboratory Tests:

• CBC (Complete Blood Count): $5
• CMP (Metabolic Panel): $8
• Thyroid Panel (complete): $70
• Strep culture: $15
• Vitamin D: $20

Imaging Services:

• X-Ray: $40-60*
• Ultrasound: $80-250*
• CT Scan: $100-300*
• MRI: $250-500*

* Final pricing depends on specific area being imaged. We'll provide exact quotes before ordering.

See complete pricing: View all lab & imaging prices

Most families don't have additional fees. Optional services include:

Additional Home Visits (beyond included visits for ages 2+):

• $99 per visit (within 15 miles of office)
• $139 per visit (15-25 miles from office, includes $40 travel fee)

Circumcision:

• In-clinic: $400
• Up to 60 days of age only
• Requires prior vitamin K administration

Medical-Grade Ear Piercing (Blomdahl system):

• Both ears: $99 (members) / $130 (non-members)
• Single ear: $60 (members) / $75 (non-members)

Extended Travel Radius:

• $40 travel fee for home visits 15-25 miles from office
• Beyond 25 miles: Not available

No hidden fees, no copays for routine care, no surprise bills.

Your child's membership rate will adjust on their birthday to reflect their new age bracket.

For founding members: The founding member discount (20% off) continues to apply at the new age-appropriate rate throughout your entire first year of membership.

Example: If your child turns 2 years old, they'll move from the 0-2 age bracket ($120/month for founding members) to the 2-4 bracket ($104/month for founding members)—and you'll continue to receive the founding member discount.

Yes. Membership is month-to-month with 30 days' notice for cancellation. If you need to leave the practice, simply notify me in writing at least 30 days before your next billing cycle.

No long-term contracts, no cancellation fees.

No. If your child is covered by Medi-Cal (California Medicaid), CHIP, or other government health programs, you cannot enroll in Whole Pediatrics Group.

Why? Federal law prohibits charging Medicaid/Medi-Cal beneficiaries membership fees or additional payments for services that Medicaid covers. DPC membership fees would violate these regulations.

This isn't a practice policy—it's federal law that applies to all DPC practices nationwide.

If your child has Medi-Cal: You'll need to seek care through traditional Medi-Cal accepting practices. I cannot accept you as a member even if you're willing to pay out-of-pocket.

Yes, you absolutely still need health insurance.

DPC is NOT health insurance. Your membership covers only the pediatric care I provide directly. You need insurance for:

• Emergencies: ER visits, ambulance services
• Hospitalizations: Admissions, surgery, intensive care
• Specialists: Cardiologists, neurologists, surgeons, etc.
• Prescriptions: Medications your child needs
• Labs and Imaging: While I can order these at discounted rates, insurance often covers them
• Catastrophic Events: Major accidents, serious illnesses

Think of DPC as complementing your insurance, not replacing it. DPC handles routine pediatric care; insurance handles everything else.

No. Whole Pediatrics Group does not bill insurance for membership fees or services included in membership. You pay me directly.

However:

• I can order labs and imaging through facilities that accept your insurance
• I provide referrals to specialists who accept your insurance
• I can provide documentation for HSA/FSA reimbursement (though most plans don't reimburse DPC fees)

The benefit? I spend time with your family instead of fighting with insurance companies.

It depends on your HSA/FSA plan. Some plans allow you to use HSA/FSA funds for DPC membership fees, others don't.

I recommend:

• Contact your HSA/FSA administrator to ask if DPC fees are eligible
• I can provide documentation showing your membership fees if needed

Even if your HSA/FSA doesn't cover membership fees, you can often use it for additional services like circumcisions or certain procedures.

Since DPC covers routine pediatric care, you can often choose a high-deductible health plan with lower monthly premiums. You won't need the expensive plan with low copays for pediatrician visits—because you already have direct access to me.

Good option: High-deductible health plan (HDHP) paired with HSA for specialists, ER, hospital, prescriptions.

You avoid:

• Copays for pediatric visits (covered by membership)
• Deductibles for routine care (covered by membership)
• Insurance pre-approvals for basic pediatric care

Many families save money this way: lower insurance premiums + DPC membership = less than expensive traditional insurance.

No. DPC membership does not meet the Affordable Care Act's minimum essential coverage requirement. You still need to maintain health insurance that meets ACA standards to avoid tax penalties (if applicable in your state).