Frequently
Asked
Questions
What is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?
Direct Primary Care is a membership-based model of healthcare. Instead of billing insurance for office visits, families pay a simple monthly fee.
This allows us to provide longer visits, same or next-day appointments, and direct access to your pediatrician with the hassle of co-pays or additional costs. Our focus is relationship-based, evidence-based pediatric care.
How do I enroll my child?
Families can begin by contacting Dakota Children’s Clinic or using the enrollment option on our website. We are happy to answer questions and help you decide whether membership is the right fit for your family.
What does the monthly membership include?
Your membership includes:
• Unlimited well visits
• Unlimited sick visits
• Same- or next-day appointments
• Direct messaging/text access
• Phone and video visits
• Developmental guidance
• Nutrition and lifestyle counseling
• Care coordination
• After-hours access for urgent concerns
There are no co-pays and no per-visit charges.
Do you take insurance?
No. Dakota Children’s Clinic does not bill insurance for routine membership-based care. This allows us to keep care simple, transparent, and focused on your child instead of insurance requirements.
However:
• You can still use insurance for labs, imaging, medications, and specialist care.
• You may use HSA or FSA funds for membership fees (check with your plan administrator).
This model allows us to remove administrative barriers and focus entirely on your child.
What are your membership rates?
We offer age-based pricing to reflect the higher visit frequency in infancy.
$150/month for newborn to 1 year of age.
To help families feel comfortable and supported from the start, the first two visits may be offered as home visits.
$125/month for 1 year to 4 years of age.
$100/month for 5 years to 18 years of age.
The max amount per family is $250/month no matter the number of children in the household.
There is a $100 registration fee per family.
Integrative Medicine consultations are available for a one time fee of $250.
Are vaccines included?
Not at this time. We do plan to provide vaccines in the future.
What happens if my child needs labs or imaging?
We can send labs through low-cost partner labs and/or order imaging using your insurance.
We help families find the most affordable option.
What if my child needs a specialist?
We will coordinate referrals, help you navigate the system, and communicate directly with specialists when needed. You may use insurance for specialist visits.
Do I still need insurance?
Yes. We recommend that families maintain health insurance for things like:
- Hospitalizations
- Emergency care
- Specialist visits
- Surgery
- Major medical needs
Direct Primary Care is designed to replace the primary care portion of traditional insurance, not catastrophic or major medical coverage.
How is this different from a traditional pediatric clinic?
In a traditional clinic:
• Visits are often 10–15 minutes
• Access can take days to weeks
• Messaging may go through multiple staff layers
In our clinic:
• Visits are typically 30–60 minutes
• You communicate directly with your pediatrician
• Your child is known — not rushed
This model restores the doctor–family relationship.
What is the cancellation policy?
We require a simple 30-day notice for cancellation. There is a re-enrollment fee of $400. Patients who have cancelled more than once will not be eligible for re-enrollment.
Patients who have been discharged from the practice are not eligible for reenrollment.