Information and FAQs
Why should I enroll with Red Clover Pediatrics?
In the typical fee-for-service insurance model, doctors only get paid when they actually do a visit with a patient (in-person or virtual). Not for portal messages, phone calls, management of things over the phone, attending patient meetings, etc. This causes offices to bring patients in for visits with providers that likely could be managed over the phone and typically less time is given to non-paid patient care such as phone calls, portal messages, etc. Insurance reimbursement is such that doctors have to squeeze lots of visits in a day and have a panel of thousands of patients in order to make a living. That model of care is too rushed and does not allow me to provide the best care that I know I can provide.
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The reason you should enroll with Red Clover Pediatrics in one word is: time. A direct care model (meaning directly from doctor to patient), will allow for managing less patients so I can have more time for each one. Doctors typically manage thousands of patients in the fee-for-service model and direct care pediatric practices usually have only several hundred. The membership model will allow me to have time to really focus on your and your family. I will be able to collaborate with specialists regarding care, attend school meetings for patients, offer same and next day appointments, do lots of medicine virtually so people don’t have to always take a day off and drag their kids to the office, and more. They will also be able to have easy contact with me via texting or email versus having to go through a chain of several people to ask a question or make an appointment. Also, you will get me every single time as there are no other providers in the office!
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What is included?
Essentially everything! The monthly membership will include everything and more that you expect from a pediatrician!
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Well child care
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Immunizations
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Extended visits (up to an hour as needed)
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Counseling and guidance (development, nutrition, sleep, behavior, parenting, etc)
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Same or next day sick visits (unlimited)
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Chronic care management (asthma, eczema, ADHD, etc)
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Behavioral and mental health diagnosis and management
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Sports physicals
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Evidence-based medical care
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Direct access to Dr. Gunn via texting, secure messaging or email
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Newborn care and lactation support
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Referrals coordination
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Home visits for newborns (within 30 minutes in Vermont) and opportunity for other home visits
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Case management
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School/camp/sports physical forms
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Telehealth/remote care
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Care up to 26 years of age (as appropriate)
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Note: some in-office testing and procedures may require a small fee for the materials
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My goal is to minimize specialist referrals unless needed or requested and to minimize visits to urgent cares and emergency rooms. We can manage many things over the phone or via text until I am able to see your child. There will also be the opportunity for home visits depending on your location and situation.
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Eventually I plan to include vision and hearing screenings, lab draws and low cost lab pricing and also medication dispensing directly from the office at cash price.
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What’s the price?
Red Clover Pediatrics operates on a direct-care membership basis where there is a monthly per child fee.
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1st child - $150/month
2nd child - $100/month ($250 total)
3rd child - $50/month ($300 total)
4th child - no fee ($300 total)
*If more than 4 children there will be an arrangement set-up with Dr. Gunn
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This includes ALL the care listed above and insurance is NOT billed. No co-pays, no meeting deductibles, no hidden fees or payments.
*There is a $100 enrollment fee for new families (this will be waived if you were a patient of Dr. Gunn’s or had an established relationship with her at SVMC Pediatrics)
*There is also a re-enrollment fee of $100 per patient if you choose to leave and then return
*There are discounts for paying 3, 6, or 12 months ahead
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How do I pay for my membership?
Membership fees will be automatically charged monthly to your card or checking account on file. Often you can pay with an FSA, HRA, etc but you need to check with your plan administrator or accountant first. Since the payments are automatic, you will never have to worry about an unpaid bill!
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Do I need insurance?
While insurance is not a requirement, it is highly recommended as the membership is NOT insurance. While I will try to minimize the need to see specialists, urgent cares and ERs, there are no guarantees and patients will need insurance for emergencies, hospital admissions and specialist visits.
Insurance will also be used for labs/imaging/medication until Dr. Gunn can make arrangements for at-cost or low-cost prices for these.
Dr. Gunn will be able to order medications, imaging, referrals and more through your insurance even though she is not accepting insurance for her services.
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What if I have a concern overnight or on the weekend?
I encourage all possible questions and inquiries to come through during weekday business hours since I will be quite available, but if something cannot wait, my patients will be able to text or securely message me and I will get back to them as soon as I can. For true emergencies, I will expect patients to call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
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What are your views on vaccination?
I personally and professionally have very strong views regarding vaccination. At Red Clover Pediatrics, we will be following the American Academy of Pediatrics vaccination schedule for my patients. Minor deviations to the schedule such as doing one vaccine at a time but keeping on schedule will be allowed however we will not be accepting patients/families who are not vaccinating, delaying vaccinations or significantly adjusting the vaccine schedule. This is for the safety of our other patients and to maintain a relationship of trust between myself and the family.
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Will you still see patients in the hospital?
Yes! I have chosen to remain on staff at SVMC as a member of the Department of Pediatrics. This means I will be able to come to the hospital to see my patients (newborns and inpatients) as available. If I am unavailable, the talented staff at SVMC will be able to care for your child and will send me the hospital records.
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I have more questions, where can I get those answers?
You can e-mail your questions at info@redcloverpediatrics.com or request a free meet & greet! We can meet at the office, have a video or phone chat - whatever works for you!
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I’m ready to enroll, how do I do this?
I’m so excited for you and your family!
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If your child(ren) were patients of mine at SVMC or we had an established relationship, I will send you the enrollment link at your request! I will also send you a transfer of records form and a link to our communication app.
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If we are new to each other, I'd like to do some sort of meet and greet to make sure that we are a good match for each other! We can set that up by emailing info@redcloverpediatrics.com.