Frequently Asked Questions

Planning and construction at the office (850 E. Western Reserve Rd. in Youngstown) is underway! We’re working hard to create a beautiful, cozy space for you and your child.  We will be ready to start seeing patients in our new space by late July!

When you need me!  We all know that kids don’t always get sick during business hours. Most check ups, follow ups, and well visits will be scheduled during the day. However, if it’s clear to me that your sick child needs to be seen “after hours”, I’ll make every effort to do just that.

Simply click the "I'M READY TO JOIN!" button, sign up, and I will take care of the rest! 

Absolutely! I encourage all parents-to-be to sign up for a prenatal visit (in person or virtual) to ensure we are a good fit and so I can learn more about your family's needs. Click here to book a prenatal visit! (I recommend doing this at least 1 month prior to your anticipated due date to allow time for scheduling, an un-rushed decision making process, and enrollment.)

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a model of healthcare that focuses on the physician-patient relationship and is rapidly growing in popularity across the country. Through this model, I am pleased to be able to provide high-quality care that is both convenient and accessible for your busy family.  DPC practices do not accept insurance. (We do accept patients both with and without insurance, however insurance is not billed for the medical services provided by Donley Pediatrics.) By working outside of the constraints of insurance, I am able to ensure the highest quality experience and care for you and your family, care that is tailored to your family’s unique needs.  This looks like visits that are as long or short as you need them to be with little to no wait to get in and no wait time in the office.  Visits are with YOUR doctor each time – no more mixed messages or retelling the same story over and over. No more one-size-fits-nobody medicine.

This model allows me to provide my patients with personalized care and direct access to their physician each time (me!). A fixed membership price allows members to budget their healthcare finances without worrying about unexpected or hidden medical costs. You never pay a copay or have to worry that an unexpected illness will ruin your family's monthly budget. Families with multiple children pay a $300 monthly maximum (no matter how many children are enrolled!).

▪️ Checkups

▪️ Unlimited sick visits (acute and chronic care)

▪️ Remote visits/virtual care In-home visits for new babies (birth - 3 months old) and at Dr. Donley’s discretion

▪️ Routine vaccinations (These are billed through your insurance)

▪️ School/camp/sports physical forms

▪️ Management of minor lacerations (stitches, staples, glue) 
▪️ Developmental and behavioral screenings 

▪️ Counseling and parenting guidance (nutrition, development, sleep, behavior, etc.)

▪️ Evaluation and medical management of chronic pediatric conditions such as asthma, eczema, constipation, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and more

Membership fees are automatically charged monthly to your checking account or credit card. You can use your health savings account (HSA) or any credit card or checking account. I do recommend that you check with your HSA plan first to ensure coverage. A 5% discount is available should you choose to pay annually. Since your membership fee is automatically charged, you never have to worry about an unpaid bill or wonder if any insurance claim has been processed or how much you still owe.

The membership model is actually more affordable for most families! For one, families with multiple children pay a maximum of $300/month, no matter how many children are enrolled!

There is a one-time $100 family enrollment fee. After that, the monthly fee is based on your child's age. When broken down by day, the cost per child is ~$5/day… about what you pay for your daily coffee run. There are no hidden fees.

In a traditional practice, in addition to your pricey insurance premium, you also have a deductible and copays that add up. A visit for a simple rash can cost more than $150 out of pocket. Follow-up visits for an upper-respiratory infection with ear infection can easily reach more than $300. With Donley Pediatrics, ALL of these visits are included in your membership fee no matter how many visits, phone calls, or texts it takes to provide the care your child needs.

We recommend that all families maintain an insurance plan to provide coverage for catastrophic events, hospitalization, vaccinations, labs, and other expensive unexpected health needs. Be sure to check with your agent, accountant, or financial advisor for specific advice on insurance policies. You may also want to ask about the possibility of covering these services through your HSA/FSA..

Even families with normal, healthy kids are surprised when they think back on the past year and realize just how many doctor appointments they’ve had (and how fast they add up!). Ear infections, pinkeye, a sudden rash, sleeping or feeding concerns, that “cold” that just won’t quit…most parents who have experienced these things wouldn’t say their kids have health problems, yet those same families find themselves in the office quite a bit to get an exam, a prescription, advice, or just some reassurance—those “quick” visits can add up, but at Donley Pediatrics, those are all part of membership. The best part is that you don’t have to think twice about calling or bringing in your child for “just a runny nose” because you know it’s covered and you can get peace of mind without an additional price tag.

Additionally, at a traditional large practice, you might not be able to get in quickly and instead be referred to an urgent care or ER for care that could be provided by your pediatrician. A single visit to an ER or urgent care can carry a cost equal to months (or years!) of personalized care at Donley Pediatrics. 

Even if you do only visit the doctor a few times each year for annual physicals or checkups, it will be a whole new experience. Same-day or next-day appointments with YOUR pediatrician, no waiting, and a relaxed, casual atmosphere. It’s a level of personalized care that you won’t find in today’s large, busy pediatric practices.

Families with newborns will love the ability to access me directly via text or phone! You’ll be surprised to find how many newborn concerns can be addressed with just a text, photo, or conversation with an experienced pediatrician who knows your child. No need to wait for an appointment, try to schedule it around your baby’s feeding time, load everyone into the car, and wait with a fussy baby in a lobby … only to see someone you’ve never met and be told “nothing is wrong.” That said, if an in-person visit is preferred or needed, I am more than happy to accommodate a visit ASAP, and that visit will be covered by membership. Lactation help, rashes, runny noses, tummy troubles, growth and development questions, sleep help, advice on starting solids, allergy concerns … all of this is covered by your membership at Donley Pediatrics.

Absolutely! Eczema, asthma, ADHD, anxiety … all visits for chronic care are covered with your membership, and many check-ins can be done via text, email, or telehealth so you don’t have to take off work or pull kids from school. Not to mention, extended appointment times are standard here and make it possible for many of these conditions to be cared for right in my office without requiring referral to a specialist. If a higher level of care or a second opinion is required, I’ll coordinate with your specialist to ensure that we continue to care for your child best while you await your specialty appointment. 

100% yes. The value Donley Pediatrics can provide for kids with complex health is unmatched. Membership covers extended appointment times so we can cover everything needed AND I can coordinate care with specialists so you don’t have to. All visits to our office are covered with membership, making it feasible to do frequent check-ins to ensure optimal health. As the parent or caregiver of a medically complex child, you know that getting out of the house is full of it’s own unique challenges. I can accommodate virtual and in-home visits when needed so that you can receive care in a way that suits your family and your child best.  Plus, I’m at your fingertips whenever questions arise—just text, email, or call!

Membership at Donley Pediatrics is a great complement to many privately purchased or small business insurance plans. Because I don't bill through insurance, there are no networks to worry about; you can keep coming to me regardless of changes in insurance plans!

Different ages require different amounts of pediatric care, so membership at Donley Pediatrics is priced accordingly.

Most children come into the office less frequently as they get older. As your child ages, your rate decreases no matter how much care you need on any given week, month, or year!

Membership for ages 0 to 24 months old is $150/month which includes in-home newborn visits and lactation support. For 2-5 years old, it's $125/month. For ages 6+, it's $100/month. There is a one-time family enrollment fee of $100. Families with multiple children pay a maximum of $300/month, no matter how many children.

Yes! The maximum rate of $300/month/family no matter how many children.

Although it is rare these days, occasionally children need to be hospitalized for pediatric care. Should hospitalization be necessary, admission will be arranged through Akron Children’s Hospital at the Mahoning Valley campus (or at the main campus of Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron when a higher level of care is needed).  Once admitted, your child will be cared for by the hospitalist team.  This team has the necessary experience and expertise to manage your child while hospitalized. I will coordinate admission, getting any necessary information to the team, and any ongoing care needed after discharge. 

The vast majority of our availability is reserved for members.

We do have a limited number of one-time visits including second opinions, sleep and parenting consultations, and sports physicals for nonmembers depending on availability.

Donley Pediatrics is proud to offer the current best practices in evidence-based medicine, and as such, I follow the current CDC-recommended vaccine schedule.  I do not promote or support a delayed, modified, or no-vaccination schedule.  If you are interested in joining Donley Pediatrics, but you have questions or concerns about the currently recommended vaccine schedule or vaccine safety, please contact me to schedule an appointment so I can hear about your concerns and address them in an open, judgment-free way.  I don’t do shame, guilt, or intimidation. It’s just not my style. My goal is your goal: raising healthy children!

Yes! You can book an appointment at any time online. My small practice panel makes it easy to accommodate same-day, next-day, and urgent visits.

Call or text me, just like usual—another benefit of being a member of Donley Pediatrics! Once we determine the best course of care, I can call in a prescription, locate the nearest urgent care or ER, and even discuss your child’s medical history with a local provider, if necessary.

I will provide advance notice of any planned absences and immediate notice for any absence due to illness or family emergencies. I will still be available via phone, text, and email during these times. If I am completely unavailable, I will arrange for a board-certified pediatrician to take care of any needs that arise while I am away.

Absolutely! Membership fees are billed monthly (or annually for a 5% discount) to the form of payment that is on file for each patient or family. Another family member is more than welcome to input their payment information (HSA, credit card, or bank transfer) during registration or call the office after the fact to arrange payment. The form of payment can be changed at any time.

Not all pediatric issues take place during normal weekday hours! I can provide urgent support by phone after hours when you have a question that cannot wait until morning. Together, we can determine the best next step for your child.  You can also book an appointment online at any time so you never have to worry about “beating the morning rush” to be seen the next day. Additionally, you can always send a text or email for non-urgent concerns, and I will address your question as quickly as possible.

If you’re ready to sign up, click here and send me an email with your preferred contact information. I'll reach out within 1 business day and we'll get the ball rolling!

If you’re not sure and would like to chat or learn more, simply indicate that in your message, and I'll  contact you about setting up a free consultation to help decide if direct care is a good fit for your family.

To ensure I can provide the time and care my patients deserve, I limit my practice size. At times, I may have a waitlist so that I am able to provide all the care my members need before bringing on new families.