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 launching in September 2027 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.

Absolutely. Many DPC members come from traditional practices. The process is straightforward:

• Enroll with Whole Pediatrics Group
• Request medical records be transferred from your current pediatrician
• Notify your current practice you're transferring care

You can switch at any time. There's no penalty for leaving your current pediatrician.

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 offer three membership tiers. Pricing varies by age:

Essential Care:

• Ages 0-2: $129/month
• Ages 3-12: $99/month
• Ages 13-18: $79/month
• Family cap: $375/month

Comprehensive Care:

• Ages 0-2: $249/month
• Ages 3-12: $159/month
• Ages 13-18: $119/month
• Family cap: $525/month

Extended Care (Interview Required):

• $399-499 per child
• Family cap: $850-900/month

See our Membership & Pricing page for complete details on what's included in each tier.

All membership tiers include:

• Unlimited clinic visits (well-child and sick visits)
• Telemedicine consultations
• Direct messaging access to Dr. Bost
• Preventive care and health screenings
• Treatment of acute illnesses and injuries
• Minor procedures (ear wax removal, splinting, etc.)
• Care coordination and specialist referrals
• Prescription management

Comprehensive Care adds:

• 1 home visit per child per month (max 2 per family)
• Priority newborn scheduling

Extended Care adds:

• 2 home visits per child per month (max 4 per family)
• Direct phone access during office hours
• Extended visit times (45-60 min when available)
• Quarterly wellness consultations
• Enhanced newborn support

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

• Laboratory work and imaging: Blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds (I can order these at discounted rates)
• 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.

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

Home Visits (for Essential Care members):

• $125 per visit (Comprehensive and Extended include home visits)

Circumcision:

• In-clinic: $300-450
• In-home: $450-600
• Up to 60 days of age only
• Extended Care: included or significantly discounted

Medical Ear Piercing:

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

Travel Fee:

• $40 for home visits 15-25 miles from office

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

The family cap is the maximum you'll pay per month for your entire family, regardless of how many children you have.

Family Caps:

• Essential Care: $375/month
• Comprehensive Care: $525/month
• Extended Care: $850-900/month

Example: If you have 4 children all under age 3 and choose Comprehensive Care, you would normally pay $249 × 4 = $996/month. With the family cap, you pay $525/month instead—a savings of $471/month.

Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your membership tier with 30 days' notice. For example, you might start with Essential Care and upgrade to Comprehensive Care when you have a newborn who needs frequent home visits.

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).

I provide care for children from birth through age 18. I also see young adults up to age 21 if they're continuing care from childhood.

My clinical interests include:

• Newborn care and early infancy
• Adolescent health
• Preventive care and developmental screening

I provide comprehensive general pediatric care, including:

Acute Illness:

• Ear infections, strep throat, respiratory infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Skin infections and rashes
• Stomach bugs (vomiting, diarrhea)
• Minor injuries (cuts, sprains, minor burns)

Chronic Conditions:

• Asthma management
• Allergies and eczema
• ADHD evaluation and management
• Behavioral concerns

Preventive Care:

• Well-child checkups
• Developmental screenings
• Growth monitoring
• Nutritional counseling
• Anticipatory guidance

When I refer to specialists: Complex conditions requiring subspecialty expertise (heart conditions, neurological disorders, severe mental health issues) are beyond general pediatrics and require referral.

Immunizations are available through public health programs (Vaccines for Children program) or your insurance. I can provide guidance on immunization schedules and answer questions, but vaccines themselves are obtained through other channels.

This keeps membership fees lower while ensuring your child gets fully covered vaccinations through existing programs.

Yes. I offer medical-grade ear piercing using the Blomdahl system—the same technology used in hospitals and pediatric clinics worldwide.

Pricing:

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

This includes medical-grade titanium starter earrings, sterile equipment, and complete aftercare instructions. Recommended age: 6 months and older.

I recommend waiting until your baby is at least 6 months old and can hold their head steady. This makes the piercing easier and safer.

I pierce ears for children of all ages—infants, toddlers, school-age kids, and teenagers. The decision about timing is yours to make as the parent.

Blomdahl is a medical ear piercing system developed in Sweden with input from dermatologists and plastic surgeons. It's used in hospitals and pediatric clinics worldwide.

Key features:

• Medical-grade titanium earrings (hypoallergenic, nickel-free)
• Single-use sterile equipment (no risk of cross-contamination)
• Gentle insertion system (no piercing gun)
• Designed specifically to minimize infection risk

The earrings stay in for 6 weeks during healing, and I provide detailed aftercare instructions.

Home visits bring pediatric care to your home—convenient when your child is sick, for newborns, or when getting to the office is difficult.

What qualifies for a home visit:

• Acute illness (fever, respiratory symptoms, vomiting/diarrhea)
• Newborn checks and breastfeeding support
• Injury requiring evaluation
• Follow-up after ER or hospital discharge
• Well-child visits (in some cases)

What I bring:

• Medical bag with examination tools
• Basic medications and supplies
• Ability to do physical exam, ear checks, throat swabs, etc.

Limitations: I can't do X-rays, lab work, or procedures requiring specialized equipment at home visits.

Availability: Comprehensive Care includes 1 home visit/child/month. Extended Care includes 2/child/month. Essential Care members can request home visits for $125 each.

Regular office hours are Monday-Friday during business hours (exact hours TBD before launch). I don't have formal evening or weekend office hours.

However, you're not without support:

• You can message me anytime with questions through the patient portal
• I check messages in the evenings and on weekends (though responses may not be immediate)
• For truly urgent situations that can't wait until morning, I'll make arrangements to help
• Extended Care members have direct phone access during office hours

Setting expectations: I'm not available 24/7 on-demand. If your child has an urgent medical issue at 2am on Saturday, you should go to urgent care or the ER, not wait for me to respond to a message.

If your child is hospitalized:

• Call 911 or go to the ER immediately for emergencies
• Notify me so I'm aware of the situation
• Hospital physicians (hospitalists) will provide inpatient care
• I'll communicate with hospital team and help coordinate care
• I'll see your child for follow-up after discharge

Your insurance covers hospital care. My role is to coordinate and provide follow-up care after discharge.

All members have direct messaging access to me through our secure patient portal. You can message me anytime with questions about:

• Symptoms your child is experiencing
• Medication questions
• Follow-up on recent visits
• General health questions
• Appointment scheduling

Typical response times:

• Urgent questions during office hours: Usually within a few hours
• Non-urgent questions: Within 24 hours on business days
• Evenings/weekends: I check messages but responses will be delayed—don't expect immediate replies

Extended Care members: Also have direct phone access during office hours for more immediate communication.

Typically same-day or next-day appointments when available. Because I maintain a smaller patient panel, I usually have availability to see sick children quickly—much faster than traditional practices where you might wait days or weeks.

What to expect:

• If you contact me in the morning on a weekday, I can often see your child that same day
• If I'm fully booked, we'll schedule for the next available day (typically within 24-48 hours)
• For urgent situations, I'll prioritize getting your child seen
• If I'm on vacation or unavailable, I'll help you arrange appropriate care

Not guaranteed: While I strive for same-day availability, it depends on my schedule, how many other patients are sick, and whether I'm in the office that day. I can't promise same-day appointments 100% of the time.

The key difference from traditional practice? You'll get seen when I'm available—not weeks later.

Yes, telemedicine is included in all membership tiers. Telemedicine works well for:

• Follow-up visits after an in-person exam
• Medication management and refills
• Discussing test results
• Minor illness evaluation (when physical exam isn't critical)
• Behavioral or developmental concerns
• Parent education and anticipatory guidance

When you need in-person: Initial evaluations, physical exams, procedures, and acute illness requiring hands-on assessment.

Message me anytime, even while traveling. I can:

• Provide medical advice by phone/message
• Help you decide if you need urgent care
• Coordinate with local providers if needed
• Arrange prescriptions at a local pharmacy

Limitation: I'm licensed in California, so I can only prescribe medications if you're physically in California at the time. If you're out of state and need a prescription, you'll need to see a local provider.

Whole Pediatrics Group will be located in Riverside, California. The exact office address will be announced closer to our September 2027 launch.

I'll serve families in Riverside and surrounding Inland Empire communities.

Yes. Basic forms (school enrollment, camp and sports physicals, immunization records, and simple work excuse notes up to 48 hours) are completed for all members during appointments.

Complex administrative forms (FMLA, disability documentation, insurance appeals) are not completed and should be directed to your primary insurance provider.

Yes, I can provide school/daycare excuse notes when medically appropriate. Just let me know what you need during or after an appointment.

You can choose different membership tiers for different children based on their needs. For example:

• Newborn: Comprehensive Care (includes home visits and priority scheduling)
• Healthy 8-year-old: Essential Care (clinic visits and telemedicine)
• Teenager with chronic condition: Extended Care (extended visits and enhanced support)

The family cap applies to your total monthly fees across all children.

I'll notify members in advance of planned vacations. For urgent situations when I'm unavailable, I'll arrange coverage with a trusted colleague or provide guidance on seeking urgent care.

For true emergencies, always call 911 or go to the ER regardless of my availability.

DPC works well for families who:

• Value having direct access to their pediatrician
• Want unhurried appointments where all concerns are addressed
• Prefer building a real relationship with their child's doctor
• Are frustrated with traditional practice limitations (short appointments, hard to reach doctor, long waits)
• Want preventive care and health education, not just sick visits
• Can afford the monthly membership fee

DPC may not be right for families who:

• Rarely see a pediatrician (only when required for school)
• Prefer seeing different doctors at a group practice
• Cannot afford monthly membership fees
• Have very complex medical needs requiring constant subspecialty involvement

The best way to know if we're a good fit? Schedule a consultation and we'll discuss your family's needs.