Concierge Pediatrician NYC: Questions to Ask Before You Switch

Choosing a pediatrician is one of the most important decisions you make for your child’s health. For many NYC families, a concierge pediatrician offers a more personalized approach, with greater access to their care team, more time to discuss concerns, and support that extends beyond routine checkups.

But not all concierge pediatric practices are the same. Before switching, it’s worth understanding what’s included, who will care for your child, and how the practice supports your family’s needs.

If you’re considering a concierge pediatrician in NYC, here are 10 questions to ask before making the switch.

1. What ages do you care for?

Start by confirming the ages a practice accepts and whether it can support your child as they grow. Some concierge pediatric practices focus on infants and young children, while others care for children through adolescence.

If you have multiple children, ask whether the practice can accommodate your entire family.

At The Lanby: Pediatric Care serves children ages 3 and up, with personalized care designed to support their health and development as they grow.

2. Who will care for my child?

Understand who is on the care team and how they work together. Will your child see the same clinician consistently? Are other specialists or wellness professionals available when needed?

A collaborative care team can help connect the dots between your child’s medical history, nutrition, sleep, behavior, and overall well-being.

3. How is this different from a traditional pediatric practice?

Concierge pediatrics often emphasizes personalized attention, accessibility, and a more comprehensive approach to care. However, the experience varies by practice.

Ask how much time is dedicated to appointments, how care is coordinated, and whether the practice looks beyond symptoms to understand factors that may influence your child’s health.

At The Lanby: Pediatrics combines conventional pediatric care with lifestyle and functional medicine principles. Our approach considers the whole child, including nutrition, digestion, sleep, immunity, behavior, and environmental factors, to develop a personalized plan that supports long-term health.

4. What concerns do you support?

Beyond annual physicals and routine developmental milestones, ask what concerns the practice can help address.

Depending on the practice, this may include picky eating, digestive concerns, recurring illnesses, sleep challenges, allergies, skin conditions, or questions about growth and development.

Understanding the practice’s scope of care helps you determine whether its approach aligns with your family’s priorities.

5. Do you see children when they’re sick?

Well-child visits are important, but children inevitably get sick. Ask how the practice handles acute illnesses, whether same-day appointments are available, and what happens when your child needs care outside regular office hours.

It’s also helpful to understand when the practice can manage an illness directly and when it will refer you to urgent or emergency care.

6. What does getting started look like?

Ask what the onboarding process includes, how your child’s medical history is reviewed, and whether the initial visit allows enough time to discuss your concerns.

A thoughtful starting point should help your care team understand your child’s health history, current needs, and family goals rather than focusing solely on the immediate reason for your visit.

7. How does pricing work for families?

Concierge pediatric practices typically charge a membership fee, but pricing structures vary. Ask what the membership includes, whether fees are charged annually or monthly, and whether there are additional costs for visits, testing, or other services.

If you have more than one child, ask whether family membership options are available.

8. Does insurance cover the membership?

Concierge membership fees are often separate from health insurance premiums and may not be covered by insurance. However, coverage for clinical services, laboratory testing, and other expenses can vary by practice and plan.

Before enrolling, ask what you will pay out of pocket, what your insurance may cover, and whether you can use your existing benefits for services outside the membership.

9. How can I reach the team between visits?

Access is one of the main reasons families consider concierge care. Ask how you can contact your child’s care team between appointments, what response times to expect, and how after-hours questions are handled.

Knowing where to turn when a concern comes up can make a meaningful difference in your experience as a parent.

10. Is care in person or virtual?

Convenience matters, especially for busy NYC families. Ask whether appointments take place in person, virtually, or through a combination of both.

You should also understand when an in-person examination is necessary and how the practice handles situations that require a higher level of care.

Is Concierge Pediatrics Right for Your Family?

The right pediatrician should do more than manage sick visits and annual checkups. They should help you understand your child’s health, answer your questions, and feel confident about the decisions you make as a parent.

At The Lanby, we bring together conventional pediatrics, functional medicine, and lifestyle-based care to support the whole child. Our approach considers the connections between nutrition, digestion, sleep, immunity, behavior, and the environment, helping families build a personalized plan around their child’s unique needs.

We believe pediatric care should be collaborative, proactive, and tailored to your family, with a focus on both addressing concerns today and supporting your child’s long-term health.

Book a complimentary Discovery Call to learn more about Pediatric Care at The Lanby, meet our team, and explore whether our approach is the right fit for your family.