10 Questions Every Parent Should Ask Their VIP Pediatrician

As a pediatrician, I have had the privilege of meeting thousands of families. I have seen the joy of new parents bringing their baby home for the first time, and I have seen the worry in a mother’s eyes when a fever spikes in the middle of the night. Choosing a doctor for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make. It is about more than just check-ups and vaccines; it is about finding a partner in your child’s health journey.

In recent years, many parents have started looking into concierge or “VIP” medicine. You might be wondering if this model is right for your family. A VIP pediatrician operates differently than a traditional high-volume clinic. We limit the number of patients we see so we can offer a higher level of service, time, and attention. But how do you know if a specific doctor is the right fit? You need to ask the right things.

To help you navigate this process, I have put together a guide on the essential questions VIP pediatrician interviews should include. These inquiries will help you understand the value of personalized care and ensure you feel confident in your decision.

1. How Accessible Are You After Hours?

Illness does not follow a 9-to-5 schedule. In fact, it seems like the most worrying symptoms—high fevers, strange rashes, or breathing trouble—always happen on weekends or late at night. One of the biggest advantages of a VIP practice is accessibility.

When you interview a potential doctor, ask specifically about their after-hours protocol. In a traditional practice, you often get an answering service or a nurse advice line when you call at night. You might have to wait hours for a callback, and even then, you are rarely speaking to your specific doctor.

You should ask: “If I call at 2:00 AM on a Saturday, who answers the phone?” In my practice and many VIP models, the goal is direct access. You want to know if you will be able to reach your doctor directly via cell phone, text, or email. Knowing that you can reach the person who knows your child’s medical history best brings an incredible amount of peace of mind.

2. How Long Are Standard Appointments?

We have all been there. You sit in a waiting room for forty minutes, finally get moved to an exam room to wait another twenty minutes, and then the doctor rushes in for a seven-minute visit. It feels like an assembly line. This happens because insurance-based clinics often need to see 25 to 30 patients a day just to keep the lights on.

When asking questions VIP pediatrician candidates, find out how much time is allotted for a standard wellness check and a sick visit. In a concierge model, appointments should be significantly longer. I believe a physical should take at least 30 to 60 minutes.

Why does this matter? Because health is not just about listening to the heart and lungs. It is about discussing development, nutrition, sleep habits, and behavioral changes. Longer appointments mean you never feel rushed. You have time to ask every single question on your list without feeling like the doctor has one foot out the door.

3. What Is Your Patient Panel Size?

This is a question many parents forget to ask, but it is the secret sauce of VIP medicine. The “panel size” is the total number of patients a doctor is responsible for. In a standard practice, a pediatrician might have 2,000 to 3,000 patients. It is physically impossible to know everyone’s name or history in detail with those numbers.

Ask the doctor: “How many families do you take care of?” A true VIP pediatrician usually caps their practice at a few hundred patients. This low number is exactly why we can offer same-day appointments and long visits. When I see fewer patients, I can dedicate more brainpower and energy to your child. It transforms the relationship from a transaction into a genuine friendship.

4. Do You Offer Same-Day or Next-Day Sick Visits?

When your child wakes up with a sore throat or an earache, waiting three days for an opening is not an option. Often, parents in traditional practices are forced to go to Urgent Care or the Emergency Room simply because their regular doctor is booked solid.

You need to ask: “If I call this morning with a sick child, when can you see us?” The answer should almost always be “today.” One of the primary benefits of investing in a VIP pediatrician is the guarantee that your child will be seen promptly. This continuity of care is vital. An urgent care doctor does not know that your child is allergic to certain antibiotics or has a history of asthma. Your own doctor does.

5. How Do You Handle Specialist Coordination?

If your child ever needs to see a specialist—like a cardiologist, dermatologist, or allergist—the healthcare system can feel like a confusing maze. Navigating referrals, insurance authorizations, and sharing medical records can be a nightmare for parents.

Ask the pediatrician how involved they are in this process. Do they simply hand you a piece of paper with a name on it? Or do they pick up the phone and call the specialist personally? In a VIP model, your pediatrician acts as the quarterback of your child’s healthcare team. I make sure that the specialist knows exactly what is going on before you even walk through their door. Afterward, I review their findings with you to make sure you understand the treatment plan.

For more information on why a medical home and coordination are so important, you can read this article from HealthyChildren.org regarding pediatric specialists.

6. What Is Your Philosophy on Antibiotics and Medicine?

Every doctor has a different style. Some are quick to write a prescription to fix a problem fast. Others prefer a “wait and see” approach or look for more holistic solutions first. Neither is necessarily wrong, but it is important that your doctor’s philosophy matches your parenting style.

Because VIP pediatricians have more time, we often have the luxury of patience. We can monitor a child closely over 24 hours rather than prescribing antibiotics “just in case” because we might not see them again for weeks. Ask the doctor how they approach common childhood illnesses. Do they value nutrition and lifestyle changes? Finding a doctor who aligns with your values will prevent conflict and confusion down the road.

7. Do You Offer House Calls?

This might sound like something from the 1950s, but house calls are making a comeback in the world of VIP medicine. There are times when dragging a sick, vomiting child into a car and driving to an office is the last thing you want to do. It is stressful for the child and the parents.

Ask if home visits are part of the service menu. While not every visit needs to be at home, having the option for a newborn exam in your living room or a flu test at your kitchen table is a luxury that truly changes the experience of healthcare. It keeps your child comfortable and prevents you from sitting in a waiting room exposed to other germs.

8. Will My Child See You Every Time?

In large practices, you might love the senior doctor, but you often end up seeing a nurse practitioner, a physician’s assistant, or a junior partner you have never met. This can lead to fragmented care. The person seeing your child today might not know about the subtle symptoms you discussed with the other doctor last month.

When drafting your questions VIP pediatrician list, be sure to ask: “Will my child see you for every wellness check and sick visit?” In a concierge model, the answer is usually yes. I believe that building a bond with a child takes time. When a child sees the same face every time, they are less scared. They build trust. And as a doctor, I can spot when something is “off” much faster because I know what your child looks like when they are well.

Comparing The Experience

To help you visualize the difference, I have created a chart that breaks down what you can typically expect from a standard practice versus a VIP practice.

9. How Do You Handle Newborn Care at the Hospital?

If you are expecting a baby, this question is crucial. When you deliver your baby, a pediatrician will examine the newborn within the first 24 hours. In the standard model, this is often a hospitalist—a doctor employed by the hospital whom you have never met and will likely never see again.

However, many VIP pediatricians maintain privileges at local hospitals. Ask: “Will you come to the hospital to examine my baby after birth?” Having your chosen doctor there from the very first day provides a seamless transition. I can answer your questions about breastfeeding and newborn care immediately, and we start our relationship the moment your baby enters the world.

10. What Does the Membership Fee Cover?

Finally, we have to talk about the financial aspect. VIP medicine usually involves a membership fee (retainer) that is paid monthly or annually. This fee allows the doctor to keep their patient count low. However, structures vary wildly.

You need to ask for a clear breakdown of costs. Does the fee cover all visits, or is it just for “access” while visits are billed to insurance? Are vaccines included? Are house calls extra? Transparency is key. You should feel that the value you receive—the 24/7 access, the long appointments, the peace of mind—far outweighs the cost. Most parents find that preventing unnecessary ER visits and having direct access to an expert saves them not just money, but invaluable time and emotional energy.

Making the Right Choice for Your Family

I know that stepping outside the traditional insurance model is a big decision. It requires an investment. But when you look at the landscape of modern healthcare, it is easy to feel lost in the shuffle. You and your children deserve to be more than just a number on a chart.

By asking these questions VIP pediatrician candidates will be able to show you exactly how they can support your family. You are looking for a doctor who will listen to you, respect your intuition as a parent, and be there when you need them most. Whether it is a reassuring text message at midnight or a relaxed hour-long check-up where you can discuss your child’s emotional well-being, this level of care restores the human connection to medicine.

Your child’s health is your most precious asset. Taking the time to interview your doctor and asking the hard questions ensures that you have the best possible partner in protecting it.