If you’re a parent who’s been feeling frustrated with your kids’ healthcare lately, join the club. Between trying to get appointments that work with your schedule, sitting in crowded waiting rooms with sick children, and then getting bills weeks later that make no sense, it can feel like the healthcare system is working against families rather than for them.
You want what’s best for your children, and that means more than just treating them when they’re sick. You want a healthcare approach that focuses on keeping them healthy, catches potential issues early, and gives you the peace of mind that comes from having a medical team that actually knows your kids and cares about their wellbeing.
Here’s something that might surprise you: in the U.S., nearly 90% of total healthcare spending goes toward chronic disease care, much of it preventable with early, proactive attention. Yet only 8% of adults over 35 receive all the recommended preventive services, and unfortunately, many children face the same gap in preventive care.
The good news? More families are discovering Direct Primary Care (DPC) as a better way to manage their children’s health. This model offers the kind of consistent, relationship-based care that traditional healthcare often promises but rarely delivers, with transparent costs and no insurance hassles. DPC practices have actually grown over 1,000% in recent years as families discover what healthcare can be like when it’s designed around their needs.
But we know you probably have one big question: Can DPC actually cover your kids’ vaccines and checkups? Let’s walk through what’s typically included and how families successfully navigate what’s not.
What Pediatric Services Does Direct Primary Cover?
Direct Primary Care is designed to give families the kind of healthcare relationship you probably remember your parents or grandparents having with their family doctor—someone who knows your children, understands their health history, and is available when you need them.
Here’s what pediatric services typically include in a DPC practice:
Routine checkups and well-child visits that aren’t rushed, where you can actually discuss all your concerns and questions without feeling like you’re taking up too much time.
Developmental assessments and milestone tracking that help ensure your child is growing and developing as they should, with early intervention if any concerns arise.
Sick visits with same-day or next-day availability because when your child isn’t feeling well, you shouldn’t have to wait days to be seen or wonder if you should go to urgent care.
Chronic condition management for things like asthma, eczema, allergies, and other ongoing health needs that require consistent monitoring and adjustment.
Open communication with your provider for any health concerns, questions, or “is this normal?” moments that every parent has—often through text, email, or phone calls.
Personalized wellness plans that evolve with your child as they grow, focusing on their individual needs and your family’s health goals.
This approach keeps care focused on what matters most: your child’s long-term health and your family’s peace of mind. Instead of feeling like you’re just another appointment in a busy schedule, you have ongoing access to a doctor who genuinely knows your child and prioritizes their wellbeing.
What About Vaccines? Here’s the Catch
Now, here’s where we need to be honest with you: while DPC covers most of your child’s day-to-day healthcare needs beautifully, vaccines are often the one exception to the rule.
This isn’t because DPC providers don’t believe in vaccines—quite the opposite. It’s because vaccines involve some practical challenges that many DPC clinics choose to handle differently. Vaccines require special cold storage, involve complex state reporting systems, and come with additional costs that can complicate the simple pricing model that makes DPC so appealing.
Instead of letting this be a roadblock, most DPC practices have found creative solutions. They often partner with local pharmacies, pediatric immunization programs, or public health departments where your children can receive their shots at little to no cost.
Many families find that keeping their insurance specifically for vaccinations while using DPC for everything else works perfectly. And if you’re eligible for your state’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, your kids can access free immunizations through designated providers.
Even when they don’t give the shots in their office, your DPC doctor still plays a crucial role. They help manage your child’s immunization schedule, keep track of records, and make sure everything stays up to date. Think of them as your healthcare quarterback, coordinating care even when some services happen elsewhere.
Why DPC Still Works for Pediatric Checkups
While vaccines might require an extra step, for everything else, DPC gives families something that’s often missing in traditional healthcare: uninterrupted, proactive care that actually makes sense for your life.
With a flat monthly fee, you can schedule unlimited visits without worrying about copays or surprise bills. That means no more hesitating about whether to bring your child in for a concern, a quick question, or a follow-up visit. You’re not calculating the cost of peace of mind.
At Craft Concierge, these visits aren’t rushed affairs where you feel like you’re being pushed out the door. Our doctors manage smaller patient panels specifically so families get longer appointments and real conversations about their children’s health and development.
This kind of accessible care builds trust between your family and your healthcare team, and it keeps the focus on what really matters: your child’s long-term health and development. Instead of waiting weeks to be seen or navigating insurance approvals for basic care, your provider is just a text, call, or same-day visit away.
And without insurance companies making decisions about your child’s care, those decisions stay exactly where they should be: between you, your child, and your doctor.
How to Handle Vaccines While Using DPC
If your DPC clinic doesn’t administer vaccines in-house, don’t worry—there are several straightforward ways to make sure your child stays up to date on their immunizations:
Visit public health clinics or community vaccine sites. These locations often provide immunizations at no cost or use a sliding fee scale based on your family’s ability to pay.
Check if your child qualifies for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. This federal program provides free vaccines to eligible children through approved providers in every state, and many families are surprised to learn they qualify.
Use your insurance specifically for vaccinations. Many parents find it makes sense to keep their insurance coverage just for vaccines and specialist visits while using DPC for all their primary care needs.
Let your DPC doctor help coordinate everything. They can provide referrals to vaccine providers, help you keep track of immunization records, and make sure your child stays on the recommended schedule, even when the actual shots happen elsewhere.
Your DPC doctor may not be the one giving the vaccines, but they’re absolutely in your corner, helping you navigate the process and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
The Bottom Line for Families
Direct Primary Care gives parents a much easier, more predictable way to manage their children’s healthcare. The pricing is transparent, the access is reliable, and the care is genuinely personal in a way that feels increasingly rare in today’s healthcare landscape.
While vaccines may need to be handled through another provider, most DPC doctors are more than happy to help with scheduling, record-keeping, and making sure everything runs smoothly. That guidance and coordination support can actually make the whole process less stressful than trying to manage everything on your own.
For families who are exhausted by confusing medical bills, rushed appointments, and feeling like just another number in a busy practice, DPC offers a refreshing alternative—healthcare that’s actually designed around what works for you and your children.
Get Pediatric Care That Works for Your Family
At Craft Concierge, we understand that your children’s health is your top priority, and we’ve designed our practice to support that in every way possible. With same-day appointments, unlimited visits, and doctors who are available when you need them, our Direct Primary Care memberships give you the consistent support you need for checkups, sick visits, and preventive care—all without the stress and unpredictability of traditional insurance-based systems.
Even when vaccines need to be handled separately, your Craft Concierge provider will be there to guide you through every step of the process, making sure your child’s care is coordinated and nothing important gets missed.
Ready to experience healthcare that actually works for your family? Join today and give your children access to care that’s simple, reliable, and built around your family’s real needs rather than insurance company requirements.
Your kids deserve healthcare that puts them first—and so do you.
