pediatric care the way it should be.
A smaller practice. A stronger relationship with your doctor. Peace of mind.
Warm Heart Pediatrics is a good fit for any parent who…
Is frustrated by the factory feel of a large practice.
Wants to see the same board-certified, trusted MD at every visit rather than accepting appointments with “whoever is available.”
Wishes they could sometimes just text their pediatrician a quick question.
Prefers shorter wait times and longer appointments.
Hates feeling like they shoulder the burden of “figuring things out” and longs for a trusted partner to help them advocate for their children.
Understands that it is important for their child to develop a long-term, close relationship with their pediatrician so they can have one more caring adult around to help them navigate the challenges of school, mental health, and the teen years.
Details
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WHP is a membership-based practice. Members have access to a special members-only number that allows them to contact Dr Playforth directly with any questions. You may reach out via phone, text, or the patient portal: whatever works best for you!
We keep our practice small, which allows us to get to know you and your family. We are also more easily able to schedule timely in-person and telemedicine visits as needed during regular business hours and to help you navigate any health challenges your child might experience.
Families must meet with Dr Playforth to be accepted into the membership.
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Membership (monthly):
EARLY BIRD RATE for a limited time:
$59 per month per child
We have a discount for multiple siblings. Family maximum of $150 per month.
For the Early Bird families, prices will stay locked in for a year. Once all Early Bird spots are taken up, membership prices are expected to increase.
After your initial meeting with Dr Playforth, if you are accepted into the practice, you can secure your child’s spot by paying a non-refundable registration fee of $100 per child (maximum of $150 if enrolling multiple members).
OTHER CHARGES
Most insurance plans offer out-of-network benefits that may reimburse for services (the specifics depend on your plan).
We require payment at the time of visit, and we will provide an itemized receipt (superbill) that you can submit to your insurance. All out-of-network reimbursement goes directly to you.
Visits to establish care: $160 per visit (ages 0-12y); $190 per visit (teens)
For children who are not due for a well visit within 2 months of joining the membership; these are visits to establish care so I can take an in-depth history, review and update records, and discuss any ongoing concerns.
Well visits (aged 0-12y): $160 per visit* (Includes history and physical, appropriate developmental and mental health screens, hearing and vision screens, filling out forms. Does not include immunizations.)
Well visits (teens): $190 per visit* (Includes history and physical, mental health screen, hearing and vision screens, filling out forms. Does not include immunizations.)
Sick visits (new concern): $125 per visit* (Does not include testing, procedures, or other supplies; $20 surcharge on weekends.)
Follow up visits: $95 per visit* (For problems that have been evaluated before; does not include testing, procedures, or other supplies; $20 surcharge on weekends.)
Mental health & Behavioral concerns: $175 per visit* (Does not include testing, procedures, or other supplies if needed.)
For specific charges related to immunizations, supplies, and medications, the cost will vary based on the cost to WHP to procure these items. An up-to-date fee sheet is always available in the office or if you reach out directly to Dr Playforth.
Families are required to have health insurance coverage, which can be used as needed for medications, specialist visits, radiology, outside labs, emergency room visits, etc.
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Our children deserve the very best care. But in the current system, many families end up feeling isolated, frustrated, and unable to feel confident about the quality of care their child is receiving.
Here’s the solution.
Becoming part of the Warm Heart Pediatrics family means:
✔ An actual relationship with your pediatrician. Warm Heart Pediatrics is deliberately small because we believe that getting to know you and your child well is essential for good care. Forming an intimate and long-term relationship with their pediatrician allows children to start to feel like they have another adult on their team. Research shows that having caring adults in a child’s “circle” enables them to overcome challenges and tough childhood experiences more easily. Focusing on this relationship also allows us to help you better advocate for your child, to address mental health issues early, and to help the whole family thrive.
✔ Easy access to expert, evidence-based medical care from a highly qualified board-certified pediatrician.
✔ Longer, more thorough appointments—with shorter wait times.
✔ Continuity of care. No more having to be seen by “whoever is available.”
✔ Direct access to your pediatrician via text, portal, and phone. Secure text messaging is done via the Spruce messaging platform. We respond to all non-urgent questions during regular business hours. For urgent matters, please call us as instructed during enrollment.
✔ Virtual appointments for concerns that can be handled remotely (at the doctor’s discretion).
✔ School/camp/sports physical forms.
✔ A whole child approach. Health has many facets. Although Dr Playforth is always evidence-based, she recognizes that sleep, nutrition, and behavior all contribute to overall health and wellbeing. We take the time to cover these topics in our conversations.
✔ Regular mental health screening as appropriate. We have established relationships with local therapists to ensure our patients are conveniently scheduled when it comes to appointments for developmental screens, psycho-educational testing, and therapy if needed.
✔ Access to after-hours telemedicine services staffed by board-certified pediatricians. We have established a relationship with Hello Pediatrics, which provides excellent care (and accepts most insurance plans in the area).
✔ Peace of mind
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Dr Playforth is committed to providing services that add value to your child’s care.
Warm Heart Pediatrics partners with various local healthcare providers. These organizations are committed to helping ensure our patients are well taken care of whenever they need these services.
✔ Hello Pediatrics: An after-hours, local telemedicine company that is staffed only by board-certified pediatricians. They accept all the major insurance carriers in our area and provide exceptional care. They also offer mental health therapy services via telemedicine for our patients.
✔ Georgetown Psychology: A well-established organization committed to helping support children, teens, and parents. They offer integrated, individualized therapy sessions, group therapy, developmental screening, psycho-educational testing, and art and play therapy. Offices in Bethesda, Georgetown, McLean, and virtual options as well!
If you know if any other services that might be helpful for us to affiliate with, please let us know!
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No. The value of our model lies in the doctor-patient relationship. Dr Playforth is passionate about Warm Heart Pediatrics being a true medical home for her patients.
We are unable to be a back-up urgent care for patients that cannot get in with their own regular pediatrician.
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It is our policy to follow the vaccine schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Center of Disease Control (CDC). We believe these guidelines offer the best protection to your child and the community.
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We do have a limited number of non-member visits for acute/urgent issues based on availability.
Because we are extremely conscientious about providing high quality care and appropriate follow-up to our patients, we are typically unabl to provide one-time services for well checks, mental health concerns, long-term chronic conditions, or second opinions.
Non-member visits are charged at $250 per visit (not including tests or procedures), payable at the time of service.
Note: Non-members will not have text access to the physician or after-hours coverage.
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Sterile medical-grade earlobe ear piercing is offered to both members and non-members. Contact us for details!
Costs (includes medical-grade stud earrings, piercing procedure, and some aftercare supplies):
Members: $110
Non-members: $145
ADDITIONAL FINE PRINT
✔ Your first subscription payment will be a pro-rated fee for the first month along with any visit charges. Thereafter, subscription fees will automatically be charged monthly on the 1st of the month (similar to a gym membership).
✔ Payments for subscriptions and services are made electronically through the portal. Payments can be via ACH transfer or using a credit/debit card (please be aware that the vendor charges a 3% processing fee for all card transactions). After each visit, your payment method on file will automatically be charged for services within 48 hours.
✔ Although we do not contract with insurance ourselves (including Medicaid), all members are required to have health insurance to cover out-of-office services from other providers (such as tests, imaging, procedures, and specialist and emergency room visits). For many insurance plans, out-of-network benefits may reimburse specific in-office services.