Frequently Asked Questions

Direct primary care (DPC) is a simple idea: you and your child's provider work directly together, with no insurance company in the middle. Instead of paying per visit and getting billed later, your family pays one predictable monthly fee, and that fee covers the care your child needs.

Here's why I built my practice this way:

• You can reach me. Members have direct access to me by phone or text for everyday questions, so you aren't stuck in a phone tree.

• Appointments aren't rushed. Without an insurance schedule to keep, I can give each visit the time it needs. We talk through your worries, look at the whole picture, and make a plan together.

• You know me, and I know your child. I get to know your child over time, so I notice what's normal for them, and what isn't, long before it becomes a bigger concern.

• I answer to your family. My decisions are based on your child's needs and your family's values, not an insurance company's rules.

• Pricing is clear. You know what care costs before you walk in, with no surprise bills and no confusing paperwork.

Membership is optional, and pay-per-visit is available. But if you want a pediatrician who knows your family and is easy to reach, this is what membership is for.

We don't bill insurance. We operate on a cash-pay model, so there's no paperwork and no surprise bills. Membership is not health insurance, so I encourage every family to keep coverage for emergencies, hospital care, specialists, and imaging.

You're welcome to use your HSA or FSA for our services. We can provide superbills for pay-per-visit services.

Members can reach me by phone or text for non-urgent questions, like diaper rashes, mild skin concerns, medication questions, and general wellness. Direct access doesn't mean 24/7, though. I turn my phone off from 9 pm to 8 am, and I'll usually respond as promptly as I can during the day, depending on clinic hours and patient care.

Sundays are my day of rest, so I usually won't check messages then. I want to be fully present with my family, which also helps me be a better provider for yours. On Saturdays, I check messages once in the morning for time-sensitive concerns. This is a courtesy, not an on-call service.

Please don't rely on texting for urgent medical concerns. For emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If something feels urgent and I haven't responded, please don't wait for me.

I'm so glad you're here, and I want you to be able to reach me no matter how you receive care. If you're not a member, the best way to communicate is through our patient portal. It keeps your messages organized and secure, and it makes sure your questions get to me and don't get lost.

I check portal messages during office hours and reply within two business days.

If you're trying to schedule an appointment, you're welcome to text or call the main office number. That's the quickest way to find a time that works for your family.

Direct phone and text access to me is one of the benefits of membership, which is how I'm able to keep that line open for the families who've joined. If you ever find you'd like quicker answers, I'd love to talk about whether membership would be a good fit.

For emergencies, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If your child seems very sick, please don't wait for a portal reply.

Kids have a way of getting sick at 2 a.m., and I know how stressful that can feel. Here's a simple plan so you aren't guessing in the middle of the night.

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away if your child:

• Is struggling to breathe, breathing very fast, or has blue or gray lips or skin

• Is very difficult to wake, limp, or unusually unresponsive

• Has a seizure

• Has a stiff neck with fever, or a rash that doesn't fade when pressed

• Has signs of serious dehydration, such as no urine in 8 or more hours, no tears, a very dry mouth, indented soft spot, or confusion

• Has a head injury with vomiting, confusion, or loss of consciousness

• Has a fever of 100.4°F or higher and is under 3 months old

• Has severe pain, a serious injury, or anything that makes you feel something is truly wrong

Trust your instincts. If you're worried that your child needs help right now, please don't wait for me to reply.

For concerns that feel important but aren't emergencies, such as an earache, a fever in an older child who is drinking and playing, or a rash, you can:

• Try the comfort measures we've talked about, and keep an eye on your child overnight

• Reach out to me in the morning

• Visit an urgent care if you'd like your child seen sooner than we can see them

Members: I turn my phone off from 9 pm to 8 am, and I usually don't check messages on Sundays. I'll respond during the day, and Saturday messages are checked once in the morning. If something feels urgent and I haven't responded, please don't wait for me.

Non-members: The patient portal is checked during office hours and answered within two business days. If your child is sick and needs to be seen soon, please call or text the main office number to ask about an appointment.

I love caring for your family, and I want you to feel safe at every hour, including the ones when I'm not available.

You don't have to be vaccinated to be a part of Seeds & Sprouts. Every family is welcome here, whatever choices you've made for your child.

I don't administer vaccines in the office. That means we won't be doing shots at your visits, and you won't feel pressure about them either. I'm always glad to talk through your questions, your concerns, and your family's goals, and I'll give you honest, evidence-based information so you can decide what feels right.

If you choose to vaccinate, you're welcome to get vaccines through another provider, an urgent care, or a pharmacy, and I'm happy to help you find options and keep your records organized. Please note that Texas public schools require full vaccination or a notarized affidavit for attendance. Families who choose not to vaccinate may apply for an exemption for reasons of conscience through the Texas Department of State Health Services.

At Seeds & Sprouts Pediatrics we offer:

• Well-child visits

• Sick visits

• Vaccine recommendations and counseling

• Sports and school physicals

• Statement of Health documentation

• Referrals and care coordination with medical specialists, therapists, lactation, dental, chiropractic, and others

• Newborn care (NBS #2 is not included)

• Minor wound care (coming soon)

• Testing such as dipstick urinalysis, rapid strep, blood glucose, influenza, RSV, and COVID-19

• Lab orders and result reviews (Labs are drawn by Quest or Texas Children’s)

• Prescriptions and prescription refills

• Vision and hearing screening

• Earwax removal

At Seeds & Sprouts Pediatrics, we take an integrative approach to helping children feel their best. Functional visits focus on common childhood concerns that may benefit from a deeper look at underlying contributing factors, including eczema, allergies, constipation, and select mild behavioral concerns.

These visits allow us to explore your child's symptoms, health history, nutrition, lifestyle, and other relevant factors to develop an individualized care plan.

Our primary focus is pediatric primary care with an integrative approach. For children with more complex or significant chronic health concerns that require specialized functional medicine expertise, we may recommend a provider whose practice is more specifically focused on those needs. If that is the case, we will help guide you toward the most appropriate next step for your child.