Question 1

What is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?

Accepted Answer

Direct Primary Care is a new and growing membership-based healthcare model that provides comprehensive pediatric care for a simple monthly fee. 
This approach eliminates copays, deductibles, and surprise bills.
Free from the constraints of insurance billing, we devote our time to building lasting relationships with families and delivering convenient, personalized care.

Question 2

How does Morning Star Pediatrics differ from traditional pediatric practice?

Accepted Answer

At Morning Star Pediatrics, we believe healthcare should be personal, accessible, and rooted in strong relationships. In the Direct Primary Care model, the pediatrician is not accountable to an insurance company or health system, allowing care to be guided solely by the needs of each child and family. Pediatric DPC practices maintain significantly smaller patient panels—typically 200-300 patients per physician, compared to 1,500-2,500 in traditional insurance-based pediatric practices. This smaller panel enables Dr. Workman to spend more time with each family, provide timely appointments, and offer direct access whenever guidance is needed. It truly feels like having a doctor who knows your family well and is always within reach.

Question 3

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

Morning Star Pediatrics does not accept or bill insurance for membership services. Insurance is billed separately for vaccinations through a third party. Your monthly membership includes comprehensive care—unlimited visits, after-hour support (including in-office visits when medically appropriate), forms, in-office testing, and direct access to Dr. Workman. Members also have access to greatly discounted cash pricing for certain laboratory and imaging services.We encourage families to maintain health insurance for services outside the practice, such as hospitalizations, emergency care, and specialist visits. Insurance may also be used for laboratory testing not performed in the office, imaging, and medications not dispensed from our office.

Question 4

Do you accept Medicaid?

Accepted Answer

Morning Star Pediatrics does not participate with or bill any insurance plans for primary care services. We welcome families with or without insurance. However, Indiana Medicaid requires enrolled children to have a Medicaid-participating physician assigned as their primary medical provider. Therefore, Dr. Workman cannot serve as your child's assigned Medicaid provider.Families with Medicaid may still join Morning Star Pediatrics, but membership fees are paid out of pocket and are not covered by Medicaid. Your child must also maintain a separate Medicaid-participating primary care provider. When permitted by Medicaid requirements, Dr. Workman may prescribe medications and place orders or referrals for patients enrolled in Medicaid.

Question 5

Why would I pay for a membership if I already have health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Direct Primary Care and health insurance work together—they simply serve different purposes. DPC can pair well with a high-deductible insurance plan.
Health insurance is designed to cover major medical expenses, such as hospitalizations, emergency care, specialist visits, and the cost of recommended childhood vaccines.
 DPC membership covers your child's primary care needs, including well visits, unlimited sick visits, longer appointments, and direct access to Dr. Workman by phone, text, and secure messaging— all for one predictable monthly fee. 
With no copays or deductibles, you never have to decide if a visit is "worth the cost"; you can reach out whenever your child needs care.

Question 6

My children are healthy. Do we really need a membership?

Accepted Answer

Healthy children still need a pediatrician they can rely on when questions, concerns, or unexpected illnesses arise. 
At Morning Star Pediatrics, you are not just paying for visits— you are investing in convenient access, longer appointments, and a trusted relationship with a doctor who knows your child.

Question 7

What is included in my membership?

Accepted Answer

Home visits for newborns (living within 10 miles of the office)Comprehensive preventative care: well-child visits, sports/camp physicals (with forms), 
routine vaccinations, and counseling on nutrition, sleep, development and behaviorUnlimited sick visits — in-office or virtual (same- or next-day availability)Extended appointment times, up to 60 minutes if neededDirect communication with Dr. Workman by phone, text, or secure messaging Care coordination for diagnostic testing and specialist referralsManagement of chronic conditions, including asthma, eczema, mental-health concernsVision and hearing screeningDevelopmental and behavioral screeningsMental-health screening for common conditions such as ADHD, anxiety and depressionIn-office lab testing: hemoglobin (anemia screen), lead, urinalysis, glucose, rapid strep, and fluDiscounted pricing for more extensive laboratory testing and imaging when neededIn-office dispensing of many common medications at a discounted price. 
Your child can be seen for strep throat, and you leave the office with amoxicillin in hand—no pharmacy trip required.

Question 8

How much does membership cost? Is it affordable?

Accepted Answer

Membership is billed via a straight-forward monthly fee, depending on the size of your family and ages of your children. There are no copays or deductibles for office visits. Please visit our Membership page or contact us for current pricing.
Easy access to Dr. Workman can help avoid unnecessary urgent care and ER visits.
Urgent care visits can cost several hundred dollars after testing and often the patients still need to see their pediatrician for follow up.
One ER visit costs more than one year of membership with our practice.
Direct communication and flexible scheduling can save parents time and help them miss less work.

Question 9

How do we enroll our child as a patient?

Accepted Answer

Joining is Morning Star Pediatrics is simple. You can contact us through our website, call our office, or request a complimentary meet-and-greet. We are happy to answer your questions and help you determine whether our practice is the right fit for your family.

Question 10

Can I use my HSA?

Accepted Answer

As of January 1, 2026, eligible patients can use tax-free HSA funds towards Direct Primary Care membership fees, making personalized pediatric care even more affordable. HSA eligibility depends on your specific plan. We recommend checking with your plan administrator or tax advisor to confirm eligibility.

Question 11

How do I contact my pediatrician?

Accepted Answer

Members have direct access to Dr. Workman through phone, text, or secure messaging for questions and concerns. There is no nurse or front-office staff serving as a gatekeeper—your communication goes straight to your child's physician.

Question 12

How do newborn home visits work?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Workman will provide in home visits within a 10 mile radius from the office until it is time for your newborn to come in for the first set of vaccines at the 2 month visit

Question 13

What if my child needs a specialist?

Accepted Answer

If specialized care is needed, we'll help coordinate referrals and work closely with specialists to ensure your child receives seamless, comprehensive care.

Question 14

How is Direct Primary Care different from concierge care?

Accepted Answer

Concierge care:  typically charges a monthly membership fee in addition to billing insurance for visits and services, which means families may still have copays, deductibles, and coinsurance.
Direct Primary Care: families pay one predictable monthly membership fee, with no copays or deductibles for included DPC services.

Insurance still matters: Health insurance is recommended for emergency care, hospitalizations, specialists, and other services outside of DPC. We also work with a third party to bill insurance for recommended vaccines.
The benefit:  DPC can mean lower, more predictable out-of-pocket costs for your child's routine primary care.

Question 15

Is there a long-term contract?

Accepted Answer

There is no long-term contract. Membership is month-to-month, and you can cancel anytime with 30 days' notice. A re-enrollment fee will be charged for members who leave but choose to come back. Re-enrollment is not guaranteed if the practice is full.

Frequently asked questions