FAQ
Yes, I do, for newborns and infants, and on a case-by-case basis. Initial newborn visits (at 3-5 days, 2 weeks, and 1 month old) will be done in the comfort of your own home should you choose, at no additional cost. I appreciate that it can be logistically difficult for parents to get to the doctor’s office with that sweet little newborn or with a sick older child.
Immunizations have saved more lives than any other medical advance in history – they protect us from preventable and potentially severe or fatal diseases. I suggest administering them based on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended schedule, which we will review together before beginning. I also understand the abundance of worrisome information found when doing "research" on the internet and how scary this can be for a parent. I know you absolutely want what's best for your child, and we can certainly spend time on this topic and any concerns you may have.
My comprehensive pediatric training allows me to handle the majority of your child’s healthcare needs. If you need or want your child to see a specialist, I will help you find the right doctor. When making referrals, I can consult with your child’s specialist prior to your appointment, as needed.
After your child’s visit to a specialist, I will follow up to discuss any of your questions or concerns, and arrange additional testing and management if needed.
This can be a stressful and often confusing experience for patients and their families.
Your child will be cared for by the emergency room physician and/or hospitalist team. I will communicate with them, review your child’s plan of care, answer questions, and make recommendations as needed. As your child’s health care advocate, I will communicate directly with you, and help you navigate the health care system.
If it is a life-threatening emergency, you should call 911 or take your child to the ER immediately. Otherwise, you can contact me when needed.
Often, I can diagnose and treat your child’s needs quickly and without a visit to the ER or urgent care. In fact, membership medicine has been shown to result in many fewer ER and urgent care visits. If appropriate, rest assured I can see your child the same or next day!
You can speak with me wherever you are, and I will help with any medical conditions that can be handled by a “virtual visit.” If you have a condition that requires in-person evaluation and treatment, I will direct you to appropriate nearby care, and coordinate follow-up when you return home.
Our college program is a reassuring service that allows students to easily contact me by cell, text, email, or video. Your student will have their own trusted doctor who knows them well and can coordinate their care while away from home. I can handle the majority of medical needs to help your student avoid a visit to the clinic altogether or communicate directly with local healthcare providers if needed.
As a member of Dr. Sally Pediatrics, you and your child are never alone. Even when out of town, I will still be available by phone for urgent needs. You will be notified by email before any vacations. If I am not available, I will have another trusted physician available to assist you and your child for any urgent matters.
You and your child will experience the difference immediately when you visit Dr. Sally Pediatrics. I take the time to address your medical concerns and answer all of your questions in a manner that doesn't feel rushed. Because my practice is limited to just a few hundred patients, instead of thousands, I am able to get to know your child and take a more proactive role in their health and wellness and be there when needed.
My goal is to provide an experience that will not just meet, but exceed, expectations for a doctor’s visit.
See the many other benefits and services we offer at Dr. Sally Pediatrics.
Membership medicine, sometimes referred to as “Concierge” or “Direct Care” medicine, is a model that emphasizes wellness and personalized care. I take the time that you and your child need to address all of your medical concerns. Our visits are not confined to 10-15 minute appointments that are standard for typical medical practices because of their dependency on limited insurance reimbursements, requiring them to see a high volume of patients daily. Instead, by charging an affordable monthly or annual fee, I am able to see fewer patients daily and provide your child with extremely convenient, personalized and preventive care when you need it. Our membership model enables a strong and satisfying doctor-patient relationship – the key to helping your child stay healthy. It's the way I've always wanted and expected to practice medicine!
Enjoy easy and direct communication with me, Dr. Sally, anytime including weekends and after-hours. No more unnecessary ER or urgent care visits. I have created a practice where you can reach me whenever you need me, without having to jump through any hoops!
My practice offers convenient online scheduling with same-day or next-day appointments. Or you can avoid an in-person visit and send me a quick text with any question, or perhaps a picture of your child's rash or other ailment. Whether it's a text, call, video chat, in-office visit, or even a home visit if necessary, I will always be available when and where you need it.
See the many other benefits you will receive.
Absolutely. I firmly believe parents would reach out to their child's doctor more without hesitation, if it were easier to communicate, more private, and less of a hassle.
At Dr. Sally Pediatrics, I make it easy for the parents of my patients to communicate with me and visit me in the office. I listen carefully to you to understand how your life, work and family situations may be affecting your child's health – physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Besides acute care and managing illness, my focus is on helping my patients adopt healthy lifestyle habits. I want to identify and prevent disease and other risk factors by concentrating my efforts on your child's lifetime health and wellness.
Furthermore, in my 20 years of practicing pediatrics, I've seen time and again how things suddenly change. Even the healthiest kids go through rough patches in life with their physical or mental health and need extra support and care. Parents are often unprepared or stressed, and require guidance, empathy, support, and resources. I'll be right here for you during these times!
I specialize in providing pediatric care up to age 18, plus transitional care for those attending college out of the area who are needing medical care or just guidance navigating the crazy world of healthcare.
It works especially well for:
Parents desiring easy and direct communication with their child’s pediatrician.
Parents who want a doctor to address the underlying cause of illness, not to just treat the symptoms.
Those who want a pediatrician with traditional training but one who also practices integrative pediatrics that focuses on mental, emotional, and physical wellness (such as health coaching, meditation, acupuncture, etc.).
Parents who are too busy to spend time waiting in a doctor’s office for their child to be seen or who would prefer a quick text or call in place of an office visit, when appropriate.
Those who would like to avoid waiting areas with other sick children.
Those who wish to have their child’s medical care remain private.
We are most certainly happy to see you in our practice regardless of what insurance you have. We are contracted with and will provide billing for most major PPO insurance plans for covered services, just as with any traditional pediatrician office visit.
For HMO patients:
We do not participate in any HMO plans, but you can still be a member of Dr. Sally Pediatrics! For HMO patients, when your child needs vaccines or in-house testing, this can be offered on a cash basis, or patients can use their insurance for these services by seeing their primary HMO provider.
HMO plans can also be tricky if a referral to a specialist is needed. Your child will need the referral to come from their HMO in-network provider. Please call us for clarification if needed!
Yes. My medical practice is not an insurance provider, and it is very important to maintain a medical insurance policy to cover vaccines, radiology and other outside testing and specialists, as well as expensive, unusual, and unpredictable events such as surgery, emergency care and hospitalization.
The current insurance-based system makes primary care MORE expensive and difficult, and less effective too. My practice does the opposite.
By charging a set fee, I can spend more time with you and focus on your child's individual health needs to maintain and improve overall health. My goal is healthy and happy members!
Membership fees can be paid annually, quarterly, or monthly. We have discounts for siblings and a family max, and are currently offering a discounted founding member rate.
Please visit our Fees page for details.
Yes! Family members or friends may want to provide a loved one the gift of membership. It’s a great way to provide support and peace of mind and ensure personalized attention for the child's well-being.
Yes, it can for many of our patients.
We expect many patients will have fewer out-of-pocket medical costs. We prioritize prevention-oriented care to effectively manage the risks associated with the majority of your child's health issues and concerns. This is made possible because of our smaller practice and more connected care model.
In addition, the majority of the membership fee is designed to be eligible for HSA, FSA or HRA funds—please check with your tax advisor or plan administrator.
Studies show that membership medicine can lead to:
Fewer specialty referrals
Fewer urgent care, emergency, and hospital visits
Savings on labs and imaging
Less need for expensive test ordering
Yes. One of the most important aspects of personalized medicine is limiting the practice size to be able to devote more time and energy to each patient. Therefore, once I have reached my ideal practice size, I will establish a waiting list.
You may cancel your membership any time after the first three months, with thirty days’ notice. If you prepaid your membership fee for the year you will be reimbursed for the remaining months.
Please note: If you cancel your membership, and decide to rejoin the practice at a later date, you may be placed on a waiting list pending membership availability and be charged a re-enrollment fee. You would also be subject to any price increases that have occurred since you originally joined the practice.
Yes, if you are not an established patient of mine, I ask that we meet each other in-person (or virtually) to be sure my practice is a good fit for you. You can schedule a meet + greet with Dr. Sally here!
You can enroll by signing up here!