What can I expect during a well visit?

Well visits take place in our relaxed, well-appointed, child-friendly office. As an evidence based practice, we follow the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for preventative care and appropriate screening.

Additionally, we take a deep dive into the six pillars of pediatric lifestyle medicine, an evidence-based discipline founded on six pillars which encourage healthy habits from an early age: preventive nutrition, physical activity, promoting restorative sleep patterns, stress management, positive social connections, and risk prevention.

Are you accepting new patients?

Yes. At this time we are accepting new patients from birth to 22 years of age. As we approach our membership limit we will enact a wait list.

Do you accept insurance?

We do not accept or participate in any insurance plans. As a membership-based practice, we operate outside of fee-for-service constraints, enabling longer visits, flexible scheduling and direct access to your pediatrician. 

That said, most families retain insurance to cover immunizations, as well as hospital, surgical or specialist bills.  We will provide all of your primary care needs and services for the set monthly fee.

Can I use my HSA to cover membership dues?

Yes. According to IRS guidelines, HSA’s are eligible to cover membership dues at Direct Primary Care practices like Seeds. For more information, see IRS Notice 2026-05.

Can I cancel my membership?

Yes. Memberships are month-to-month, and you may cancel with appropriate notice as outlined in our membership agreement. There are no long-term contracts.  We ask for a 30-day written notice prior to cancellation.  

What is not included in a membership?

Any care outside of our office, including specialty care, imaging, send-out labs, emergency room/urgent care visits and hospitalization is not included in your membership fee. Additionally, vaccines are not covered by the member fee and will either be billed to your insurance or you may pay out-of-pocket.

What if my child gets sick while out of town?

One of the benefits of our small membership is how well we know each child and their medical history. As appropriate, long-distance care (e.g., virtual visits, prescription call-ins) can be provided.

What is your vaccine policy?

We are committed to practicing evidence-based medicine and believe in the safety and efficacy of childhood immunizations. We therefore recommend adhering to the American Academy of Pediatrics immunization schedule. That said, we are open to alternate schedules and more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.  While we are open to working with families on vaccine scheduling, we are not the right fit for a non-vaccinating family.

Can I contact my pediatrician at any time?

You will always have direct access to your pediatrician during office hours.  We ask that after hours be reserved for truly urgent needs. For non-urgent needs, you can send a message at anytime, and your pediatrician will be in touch to address your questions and concerns when our office re-opens.  

My child doesn’t get sick that often.  Is this the right model for our family?

Our practice is designed to benefit you when normal life and the unexpected happens. Childhood is full of unpredictable illnesses and injuries.  When your child has an unexpected injury, wakes up with a fever, gets sick while out of town, or needs a last-minute sports physical, we are available to provide guidance and compassionate care for your child.

The immediate availability of your pediatrician can provide reassurance, peace of mind, and often helps avoid unnecessary after hours visits, where the cost of an emergency room trip or a few urgent care visits is often more than an entire year’s membership dues.

Can Seeds save me money?

A membership at Seeds means no more co-pays for office visits or routine physicals. You'll avoid many in-person visits altogether by sending your questions directly via email and text. More importantly, given the all-inclusive nature of membership, many families are able to switch to high-deductible, low-premium insurance plans to cover major, unexpected health costs.

Do you offer discounts?

We are committed to making membership accessible to as many families as possible, while remaining a sustainable practice. To that end, up to ten percent of our total memberships involve some form of monthly dues reduction, based on income and other factors. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out.

How do I join?

We ask that families complete an initial consultation prior to enrolling to ensure that Seeds is a good fit for your family. If you are a former patient of Dr. Shafferman’s, please make note of this when completing the form.