Is a concierge pediatrician necessary for a healthy child?

We LOVE that your child is healthy! Our goal is to partner with you to help keep them healthy and happy year-round. We strive to keep them that way by constructing a wellness plan which revolves around exercise, nutrition, sleep hygiene, positive parenting support, and overall well-being. 

At times you need parenting or discipline advice, Dr. Adame can be a sounding board for you. If your child gets sick or injured, no matter how unlikely, we are a quick text/email/phone call away to save you an unexpected trip to the emergency department.
We are your children’s personal pediatrician: a small town doctor that is available to you like a member of the family. We are available by phone, text, Telehealth, and email when you have a question. We are there for your family should your child develop any health issues, big or small. 

Do you accept insurance?

We accept patients whether they have insurance or not and regardless of their insurance plan. Culver Pediatrics Center does not bill insurance for any services they deliver directly or participate in any insurance plans. Culver Pediatrics Center is considered out of network for all insurance plans.

How do I pay for membership?

Membership fees and enrollment fees are charged to your credit card upon enrollment. The first month’s membership fee is pro-rated, then charged on the 1st of every month. You also have the option to pay by ACH.

Why is Dr. Adame the Veggies Over Pills Doctor?

Dr. Adame practices evidence-based medicine. She will prescribe medications when medically indicated including antibiotics, steroids, anti-depressants, and ADHD medications. She also takes a holistic approach to medicine because she believes that any illness, whether acute or chronic, results in a better outcome if the patient starts with a healthy mind, body, and spirit. She believes that some of the main diseases causing harm in America are preventable, treatable, and reversible with a healthy approach to eating, exercise, stress management, and nature engagement. By incorporating this holistic approach to her practice, her goal is that children will have less need for “pills” as their health improves.

Are you a “vaccine-choice friendly” practice?

Culver Pediatrics Center is an evidence-based practice. We are not a good fit for families who do not wish to vaccinate their children according to the CDC recommended schedule.

Are vaccines covered by membership fees?

Culver Pediatrics Center is an evidence-based practice, and we believe all children should be immunized following the CDC recommended schedule, unless there is a valid medical contraindication. We have partnered with Vaxcare and the state VFC program to provide all routine childhood immunizations to our patients at no cost. Vaxcare bills your insurance for the cost of the vaccines. For families who are uninsured, Medicaid, or CHIP, we offer vaccines at no cost. For some patients with certain insurances or vaccine needs, we may order their vaccines from a local pharmacy.

What steps do you take to reduce pain during vaccine administration and other painful procedures?

While we firmly believe that vaccines are essential to keep children healthy, we understand the pain caused by the procedure, though brief, is distressing to children and parents. We use a topical anesthetic cream, a shot blocker, Buzzy Bee with ice wings, prior to vaccine administration to reduce pain. We follow CDC-recommended protocols, such as to encourage parents to breastfeed before and during the vaccine administration for pain control. We encourage parents to hold their child during painful procedures including vaccines. All of these are evidence-based interventions that reduce pain during vaccine administration. 

If my child is admitted to the hospital will Dr. Adame care for them?

Children admitted to the hospital are taken care of by inpatient pediatric hospitalists, who are experts in hospital-based care, including newborns. However, Dr. Adame will work closely with the inpatient team to optimize the care your child receives while hospitalized and to ensure a seamless transition upon discharge. Dr. Adame is an expert in acute pediatric care and a former pediatric hospitalist, therefore will be able to manage most acute illnesses in your home, unless there is high risk for deterioration.

What happens if Dr. Adame is sick or on vacation?

We will do our best to notify families in advance of any planned absences. Dr. Adame may still be available via email, phone and text during her absence. In the event that she is not available by text, phone, e-mail or Telehealth during her absence, or if your child requires a sick in-office visit, Dr. Adame will arrange for a covering physician at no additional cost to you.

Does Dr. Adame expect her patients and families to become vegan?

Dr. Adame encourages a plant-based lifestyle for all children and their families. By all metrics that we use to measure health status in the United States, people who eat a plant-based diet are healthier than those who consume meat, eggs, and/or dairy. Dr. Adame feels that as a physician she would be irresponsible not to encourage a plant-based lifestyle for all her families. She has been an ethical vegan since 2018. Both of her children are vegan also. Dr. Adame will guide any of our enrolled families who wish to embark on a plant-based journey. While she does not expect patients and their families to become vegan or plant-based, she does teach and encourage her families to bring vegetables to the center of the plate. Dr. Adame does not food-shame. She is the Veggies Over Pills Doctor and blogs about plant-based eating.

Will Dr. Adame accept families who choose to formula-feed their baby?

Of course! As an evidence-based pediatrician, Dr. Adame encourages breast milk as the healthiest most natural first food for babies. She feels she would be irresponsible as a physician to say otherwise. But you can rest assured Dr. Adame also supports the feeding decisions of all our families. While Dr. Adame is highly critical of formula companies for their unethical, predatory, and aggressive marketing practices, she is absolutely not critical of families who choose to feed their baby formula.

Do you offer one-time visits?

Due to popular demand, we are now offering acute, one-time visits for non-members. Limited availability. Cost $600-750, depending on whether the visit is during business hours or after hours. By appointment only. Text (574) 544-2251 to check availability for the day. Acute minor illness or injury such as fever, sore throat, rash, cough, simple stitches, wound care, UTI, gastrointestinal illness. For life- or limb-threatening injuries, please call 911 or go to ER. We do not bill insurance. Self-pay only.

How do I join the practice?

The first step is to schedule a free initial consultation with Dr. Adame. This complimentary meet and greet provides an opportunity for both parties to determine if they will be a good fit for one another. Choosing a doctor for your child is a serious decision that should not be rushed.

Can membership be cancelled?

Yes, membership can be cancelled at anytime. We understand circumstances and needs change. We aim to make cancellations and transfer to your new practice as seamless as possible. Dr. Adame can provide you with 30-days of urgent medical advice to give you time to find another physician for your children if necessary, though most families already have a doctor lined up when they decide to leave a practice. We will also send your children’s medical records to their new doctor. Please note, we are confident that no other pediatric practice within a two hour radius will meet our level of service. If you change your mind and decide to re-enroll your children with Culver Pediatrics Center, a re-enrollment fee of $350 per child will be charged to your credit card.

What services are not covered by membership fees?

Membership fees cover any services we can deliver directly without involving a third party. Any out-of-office procedures, labs, or medical services from other medical providers such as specialist visits, X-rays, EKGs, or other imaging studies, and in-patient hospitalizations are not covered in membership and will be billed to your insurance by those vendors. We do offer deep discounts for self-pay out-of-office labs, radiology, medications from our in-house pharmacy, and even specialists if you don’t want to use your insurance or don’t have insurance.

Do I still need insurance?

Yes, Culver Pediatrics Center is not a substitute for health insurance. If you choose to come to our practice you may benefit from choosing a different insurance plan. Please consult with a financial advisor or a representative from your insurance company to guide your plan choice.

What if my child gets sick while we are out of town?

Because the practice is small in size, Dr. Adame personally knows your child and their medical history very well. If appropriate, long-distance care, such as virtual visits and calling in prescriptions, can be utilized.

Do you offer employer-based health care services?

Yes we do! We have had the privilege of partnering with several local companies and small businesses to deliver a la carte health care services to their employees. We can do this on a short-term or long term basis. Services can range from rapid COVID testing only to acute medical services for illness or injury. Contact us for more information so we can schedule a meet and greet to come up with a customized solution for your company’s health care needs.

Does Dr. Adame see adults?

Dr. Adame will see adults for employer-based care, acute urgent care services as well as our Metamorphosis Holistic Weight Loss Program.