Imagine having a pediatrician on speed dial, answering any question you have without worrying about extra charges or getting an appointment stat, no matter how big or small the issue. Luckily, you don’t have to dream. At MamaDoc NJ in Shrewsbury, NJ, Dr. Christina Piron is doing just that, with a concierge-style practice offering personalized care for modern, busy families. MamaDoc NJ is unique with a nontraditional membership model that incorporates all of the care patients need with more direct access and communication for parents, without the red tape of additional fees or copays. We sat down with Dr. Piron to learn all about her practice and how MamaDoc NJ works for families in NJ. (featured photo credit: Dr. Piron, MamaDoc NJ)
Tell us about you and your background.
I grew up in a smaller city in Northwestern, Ohio, and then completed my undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering at Boston University before returning to Ohio for medical school. I am the first physician in my family (extended family included). I went on to complete my pediatric residency in New Orleans and was invited to complete a Chief Resident year at Tulane before beginning my career as a general pediatrician. My first job was with an underserved clinic in the greater New Orleans area, and my husband and I met while we were both living there. He grew up in Fair Haven and always spoke fondly of growing up on the shore, so we decided to move to NJ. We love exploring the local parks and playgrounds together and, of course, enjoy visiting the beach with our two kids and dog, Zuzu.
What inspired you to create a concierge-style general pediatric practice?
In New Jersey, I initially worked with a local urgent care center and served briefly as medical director of one of their sites. I then worked for a year providing autism evaluations before deciding to return to primary care. I wanted to return to primary care because I enjoy building long-term relationships and providing good continuity of care. I chose to open my own concierge style practice because I was feeling frustrated in the traditional insurance based systems and every day I felt and heard how frustrated my patients were too. Practicing in this nontraditional model allows me to be more accessible to my patients and provide more personalized care without administrative red tape. I opened this practice to provide medical care in a way that I feel could best support the needs and concerns of modern, busy families.
Can you explain what concierge-style general pediatrics is and how it differs from other pediatric practices?
My practice provides direct primary pediatric care to patients. Essentially, this allows for more direct doctor-to-patient communication and more flexible care. It differs from traditional practices because I do not bill insurance companies for my services. It is more of a membership model where patients pay a flat monthly fee, which incorporates all the care they would traditionally need and includes more direct access and communication with me. My patients can call or text me directly with questions or concerns. All visits are scheduled based on the concern, so if more time is needed, it is given. Visits are not rushed, allowing parents ample time to ask questions. Parents also enjoy being able to message me with questions in between visits without worrying if there will be an extra fee or copay due. In this way, there are sometimes fewer questions during the in-person visit because we have already addressed some of the concerns that parents typically “save up” for the well visit due to lack of access to the doctor in the traditional practices. I also offer home visits for newborns and can do home visits for older patients, depending on the circumstances.
How does a membership to your practice work? Do you accept sick visits or just well visits?
Patients join the practice, and the membership includes all the typical care you would expect from a pediatrician’s office. I provide well visits that include age-appropriate development and emotional health screenings. Vaccines are included as well. Membership also includes sick visits and management of common pediatric chronic conditions. There are no copays, coinsurance, or surprise bills for my services. A patient’s insurance can still be used for any out-of-office labwork, imaging, or specialist visit that may be needed, just like in traditional practices. All appointments are scheduled. I am typically able to accommodate same-day or next-day visits for urgent concerns. Many concerns can also be addressed through a virtual visit, phone call, or text. I am also available by phone after hours and on weekends in emergencies. Through this model, we can often limit urgent care or ER visits (which saves time, stress, and money) because patients can talk to me directly about their medical concerns.
Is there something you wish more parents knew when it comes to choosing a pediatrician for
their children?
Every family and patient has unique needs and what is important to them. It is important to find the right fit. Your pediatrician, ideally, is someone who has been with your family for many years. You should feel confident you can get their advice when needed and feel your concerns are listened to and addressed.
If you want to have a consistent doctor and not see a lot of other providers, then be sure to ask what coverage looks like, especially in a larger group practice. I think it is important to ask your pediatrician what the policies are for asking for advice after hours and to know if the doctors are on call or if it is the nurses or if the practice outsources the after-hours call to a 3rd party group who may not even have access to your child’s chart. Parents can ask if the practice allows for extended visit times or if everything is always scheduled based on a centralized scheduling template. Parents can ask what tools are used to help screen for developmental delays or other behavioral concerns.
Is there anything else you want others to know about you and your practice?
I am very excited to practice this care model, and I believe it will become more common with time. I personally have a special interest in breastfeeding medicine and the fourth trimester, and I am also open to a more integrative and collaborative approach to care.
To learn more about Dr. Piron at MamaDoc NJ, visit her website, Instagram, and Facebook pages.
Dr. Piron at MamaDoc NJ
39 Avenue at the Commons, Suite 200A
Shrewsbury, NJ 07702
(732) 982-7729
This post is sponsored by Dr. Piron from MamaDoc NJ to help every NJMOM and their family be their healthiest.
