As a pediatrician, I often see the worry in a parentās eyes when their child is sick. It is not just the illness that causes stress; it is the logistics. You worry about waiting on hold to schedule an appointment, sitting in a crowded waiting room, or rushing through a fifteen-minute visit that leaves you with unanswered questions. If you have ever felt this frustration, you are not alone. This is exactly why the landscape of children’s healthcare is changing, and why I want to explain exactly how concierge pediatrics works.
I am Dr. Anita Sabeti, and I have dedicated my career to caring for children. Over time, I realized that the traditional healthcare model often puts barriers between the doctor and the patient. I wanted to remove those barriers. Concierge pediatrics is a model designed to bring the focus back to where it belongs: the relationship between your family and your pediatrician.
Understanding the Basics of Concierge Pediatrics
To understand how concierge pediatrics works, think of it less like a standard doctor’s office and more like a membership to a private service. In a traditional practice, doctors are often overwhelmed. They might have a patient panel of 2,000 to 3,000 children. This high volume forces them to see a new patient every 10 to 15 minutes just to keep the doors open and satisfy insurance requirements.
Concierge medicine flips this script. It is a membership-based model. Parents pay a monthly or annual fee (often called a retainer) to the practice. In exchange, the pediatrician strictly limits the number of patients they accept. By keeping my patient list smallāusually just a few hundred families rather than thousandsāI can offer a level of access and attention that simply isn’t possible in a high-volume clinic.
This model allows me to be proactive rather than reactive. Instead of just treating sickness, we have the time to focus on wellness, development, and nutrition in a comprehensive way.
The Major Differences: Traditional vs. Concierge
When parents ask me about the value of this model, I find it helpful to look at the direct comparisons. The differences in access and time are significant.
| Feature | Traditional Pediatric Practice | Concierge Pediatrics |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Volume | 2,000 – 3,000 patients per doctor | 300 – 600 patients per doctor |
| Appointment Length | 10 – 15 minutes (rushed) | 30 – 60 minutes (thorough) |
| Wait Times | Often long waits in the lobby | Little to no wait time |
| Communication | Answering services and callbacks | Direct access (text, email, cell) |
| Scheduling | Booking weeks in advance | Same-day or next-day visits |
The Membership Model Explained
The core of how concierge pediatrics works lies in the membership fee. This fee covers the non-clinical services that insurance companies typically do not pay for. This includes the ability to text your doctor at 8 PM on a Tuesday, prolonged visits, and the guarantee that I will be available when you need me.
Many parents wonder if they still need health insurance. The answer is yes. The concierge fee covers access and specific services within the office, but you will still need insurance for things like:
- Hospitalizations
- Surgeries
- Visits to specialists (like a cardiologist or allergist)
- External lab work or imaging (X-rays)
- Vaccines (depending on the practice structure)
Think of the membership fee as an investment in convenience and peace of mind. It secures your spot in a small, exclusive practice where your child is a priority, not a number.
Direct Access: The Game Changer
One of the features my families love the most is direct access. In a standard practice, if your child wakes up with a fever at 2 AM, your only options are usually the emergency room or a generic nurse advice line. You rarely get to speak to the doctor who actually knows your child’s medical history.
In my concierge practice, communication is streamlined. Because I have fewer patients, I can give parents my direct cell phone number or a dedicated secure messaging line. If you have a question about a rash, you can text me a photo. If you are worried about a dosage of medication, you can call me directly.
This level of connectivity often saves parents from unnecessary trips to the Urgent Care or ER. Often, I can triage the situation over the phone or via video call. If the child does need to be seen, I can usually bring them into the office immediately, rather than making them wait for hours in a germ-filled environment.
Extended Appointments and Holistic Care
Have you ever left a doctor’s appointment realizing you forgot to ask your most important question? This happens constantly in traditional medicine because the visits are so short. Doctors are under immense pressure to stay on schedule.
When discussing how concierge pediatrics works regarding appointment times, the difference is night and day. My appointments are typically 30 to 60 minutes long. For a newborn visit, we might spend even longer.
This extra time allows us to do more than just check vital signs. We can discuss:
- Nutrition and Feeding: Detailed conversations about breastfeeding, formula, or introducing solids.
- Sleep Habits: Troubleshooting sleep regression without rushing.
- Behavioral Health: Discussing tantrums, anxiety, or school issues in depth.
- Family Dynamics: Understanding how changes at home might be affecting your child’s health.
I practice what I like to call “slow medicine.” By slowing down, I can catch subtle issues that might be missed in a rush. I can get to know your child’s personality, which helps me distinguish between a child who is just tired and a child who is truly ill.
Continuity of Care
In large group practices, you might see a different doctor every time you visit. This breaks the continuity of care. You find yourself repeating your child’s history over and over again. It can be exhausting and increases the risk of medical errors or oversight.
With concierge pediatrics, you see me. I am the one reviewing your childās growth charts, I am the one giving the vaccinations, and I am the one answering the late-night calls. This builds a deep bond of trust. Your child grows up knowing me, which makes visits much less scary for them. They know that Dr. Anita is a friend who helps them stay healthy, not a stranger in a white coat.
For more information on the importance of finding a pediatrician you trust and the standards of pediatric care, the American Academy of Pediatrics offers excellent resources for parents.
Home Visits and Telemedicine
Another aspect of how concierge pediatrics works is flexibility in where care happens. While I have a welcoming office, I also leverage technology and flexibility to make your life easier.
Telemedicine is fully integrated into the concierge model. For minor issues like pink eye or follow-ups on medication, a video call is often sufficient. This saves you the travel time and keeps your sick child comfortable in their own bed.
Some concierge practices, including mine depending on the situation, may also offer home visits. There is something incredibly comforting about having a doctor examine your newborn in your own living room. It keeps the baby away from sick kids in a waiting room and allows the mother to recover without the stress of packing up a diaper bag and driving to a clinic.
The Financial Perspective
I understand that the additional cost is a major consideration for families. It is important to view this cost through the lens of value. If the concierge fee saves you two trips to the Emergency Room in a year, it has likely paid for itself. ER visits are incredibly expensive, even with insurance, once you factor in deductibles and co-pays.
Furthermore, many families are able to use their Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for certain aspects of concierge care, though you should always check with your accountant or plan administrator to be sure.
When you calculate the cost of missed work for doctor visits, the gas, the co-pays for urgent care, and the stress of navigating the system, the concierge membership often turns out to be a financially sound decision for many families. It is an investment in preventative health.
Why I Chose This Path
Transitioning to this model was a personal decision for me. I went to medical school because I wanted to help children, not to fill out paperwork or meet quotas. The traditional system was burning me out, and I felt I wasn’t giving my patients the best version of myself.
By switching to concierge pediatrics, I have rediscovered the joy of medicine. I have the time to research complex cases. I have the mental energy to be fully present with every family. When you join my practice, you are not just buying a service; you are entering a partnership. I treat my patients as if they were my own family members.
Is Concierge Pediatrics Right for You?
While I believe in this model wholeheartedly, I know it is a personal choice. This model might be the right fit for your family if:
- You value having a direct relationship with one doctor who knows your child intimately.
- You have a child with complex medical needs who requires frequent visits and coordination of care.
- You have a busy schedule and need appointment times that work for you, not against you.
- You suffer from anxiety regarding your child’s health and need the reassurance of 24/7 access.
- You want a holistic approach that focuses on diet, behavior, and wellness, not just illness.
Looking Forward to Better Health
The healthcare world is evolving, and parents are demanding more. They are demanding convenience, quality, and a personal touch. That is exactly what this model delivers. It restores the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship.
Now that you understand how concierge pediatrics works, you can make an informed decision about your childās future healthcare. It is about more than just treating a fever; it is about having a partner in parenting who is just a text message away. As Dr. Anita Sabeti, I am proud to offer this level of care, ensuring that the next generation grows up healthy, happy, and supported.
