Yes! Most families do. DPC is meant to complement your insurance, not replace it.

We can refer you just like any traditional practice. However, most insurance providers have rules established that require your child to see their in netwok pediatrician in order for them to approve the referral.  Cost of these services would be covered through your primary insurance.

Not at all. DPC is especially helpful for families who want more time, more access, and less stress around their child’s health.

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.

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.

Absolutely! We believe that parents and children get better care in the comfort of their own home. What makes DPC unique is that providers provide parents with options to either 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. Other home-based visits may occur if your doctor feels it is right for your child’s needs.

Yes that is standard with many DPC pediatric offices! 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.

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.

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.

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.

We’re glad you’re asking!
The goal of Direct Primary Care (DPC) is to provide quality and accessible care for all children.  DPC eliminates the need to bill insurance, instead the provider charges a monthly membership fee that covers your primary care, urgent visits, and telehealth services.

However, federal and state rules do not allow a doctor to charge Medi‑Cal (California Medicaid) recipients directly for services that Medi‑Cal already covers.  Link to covered services. 

Because of these rules:
✅ If you are enrolled in Medi‑Cal right now, we are not allowed to accept you into our DPC membership.
✅ If you join our membership and later enroll in Medi‑Cal, you need to let us know immediately.
✅ We will help you transition your care so you continue to get the services you need without breaking any rules.

Our goal is to stay compliant with state and federal law while providing great care to the patients we are allowed to serve under the DPC model.

If you have questions about your Medi‑Cal status or other coverage, please let us know—we’re happy to help guide you to the right resources.

➡️ Families who value this model of care can also help by speaking up. Encouraging state and federal leaders to support more flexible, family-centered healthcare options—like DPC—for Medicaid families is an important step toward expanding access for everyone.

✅ HSA Funds for Direct Primary Care (DPC)

Starting January 1, 2026, individuals covered by a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) using a Health Savings Account (HSA) can:

• Use HSA funds to pay for direct primary care (DPC) memberships — up to $150/month for individuals or $300/month for families

• Still contribute to HSAs without losing eligibility, even with a DPC arrangement in place.

The new rules adds specific IRS language allowing DPC service arrangements not to count as health insurance, and classifies DPC fees as qualified medical expenses under IRC §223.

No. It’s a membership-based model that offers primary care directly without billing insurance for every visit.