Frequently Asked Questions
How is Direct Pediatric Primary Care different from traditional healthcare?
Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a different approach to healthcare—one that puts your family at the center. As a member, you have direct access to Dr. DeForest—not just during office visits, but when questions come up in real life. DPC allows for a strong, ongoing relationship between your family and your child’s doctor. We work together to make informed decisions, support your child’s health, and navigate more complex needs with confidence.
Do you take insurance?
Creative Care Pediatric Health & Wellness is a direct primary care practice, so we do not bill insurance for our services. Instead, we offer a monthly membership that covers most primary care needs. This model allows for longer visits, easier access to your physician, and a more personalized approach to your child’s health. Depending on your insurance plan, you may still be able to use it for labs, medications, or outside services.
How much does a membership cost?
Membership price depends on your child's age, level of healthcare needs, and number of children enrolled. You can review the pricing packages on the membership page.
Can I use my Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for the membership fees?
Beginning January 1, 2026, you can use HSA funds for Direct Primary Care (DPC) memberships, as federal law now treats them as qualified medical expenses rather than insurance. Individuals can use up to $150/month ($1,800/year) and families up to $300/month ($3,600/year) tax-free to pay DPC fees. See IRS info here.
What is the vaccination policy at your clinic?
We believe that vaccinations are an important part of protecting children’s health and preventing serious illness. At Creative Care Pediatric Health & Wellness, we strongly support evidence-based immunizations as a key component of pediatric care.
At the same time, we understand that parents may have questions or concerns. Our approach is to listen, provide clear and accurate information, and partner with you to create a plan that supports your child’s health while respecting your perspective.
At this time, vaccinations are not administered directly in our clinic, but we are actively working toward offering this service in the future. Until then, we will guide you to trusted local resources where your child can receive recommended vaccines and help coordinate care as needed.
Our goal is to ensure that every family feels informed, supported, and confident in the decisions they make for their child.
What happens if my child is sick after hours?
We know that kids don’t get sick on a schedule. As a member, you’ll have direct access to Dr. DeForest by phone or text whenever your child is ill. For non-urgent matters, we kindly ask that you reach out during business hours so we can be fully present for both our patients and our own families.
What if my child has to go to the hospital or needs to follow up with a specialist?
If your child needs specialty or hospital care, we’ll help guide and coordinate next steps. We recommend maintaining insurance, as these services are billed through your insurance and are not included in the membership. When needed, we make appropriate referrals and communicate closely with your child’s care team. Having a physician who knows your child well helps ensure more coordinated, efficient, and supportive care throughout the process.
What if my child gets sick when we are out of town or on vacation?
Even when you’re away from home, you’ll still have direct access to care. If your child gets sick while traveling, you can reach out by phone, text, or telehealth for guidance and support. I can often help manage care remotely and send prescriptions to a nearby pharmacy when appropriate. The only limitation is that controlled medications cannot be prescribed across state lines. If needed, I’ll also help you navigate local care options.
Can I continue with my insurance-based pediatrician and still work with you?
Yes—absolutely. You can choose for Dr. DeForest to serve as your child’s primary care pediatrician, or she can work alongside your current pediatrician to provide additional support.
Many families choose to partner with us for more specialized or time-intensive needs, such as complex care coordination, feeding challenges (including g-tube support), autism evaluation and ongoing care, ADHD diagnosis and management, anxiety and depression, sensory concerns, and other chronic conditions.
Dr. DeForest's goal is to provide the extra time, attention, and personalized care that can be difficult to access in traditional settings, while supporting your child and family every step of the way.
What ages do you see?
We care for patients from infancy through young adulthood, including dependent young adults up to age 26 with special health care needs.
For many families—especially those caring for individuals with special healthcare needs—continuity, trust, and a strong partnership with a physician are incredibly important. We provide personalized, relationship-based care that supports both the patient and their family, adapting to each stage of development and level of independence.
Our goal is to ensure that every patient, regardless of age or complexity, receives thoughtful, consistent care in a setting where families feel heard, supported, and involved.