Zest Pediatric Network, an Ohio-based company, has opened an office in the South Hills, bringing concierge-style care for children, including home visits, unhurried appointments, and more convenience for parents
Zest Pediatric Network is opening the first concierge-style direct pediatric care office in the Pittsburgh region. Zest will give Pittsburgh parents an alternative to the status quo in pediatric care, eliminating the traditional insurance-based office model and replacing it with a simple and transparent financial approach that delivers personalized, convenient, and high-quality healthcare from doctors who truly get to know their patients and parents.
“We established Zest Pediatric Network to give families another option for pediatric care. An option that prioritizes 24/7 access directly to your doctor,” said Dr. Andrew Hertz, president of Zest Pediatric Network. “Rather than navigating the rules of an insurance company or health system, we partner with parents and put the well-being of their children first.”
Zest Pediatric Network started in Ohio where it has three offices in the Cleveland area. Marisa Quattrone, MD, a pediatrician mother and resident of the South Hills area, sees patients in the McMurray office in the Waterdam Plaza complex.
Patients and parents first
The Zest financial model was designed with parents in mind. Rather than being forced to manage co-pays, facility fees, and co-insurance, members pay a flat monthly fee. Membership includes services families need today more than ever:
- Unlimited visits to the pediatrician.
- Visits to your home for newborn care.
- Unhurried appointments addressing all your needs.
- Ability to text, email, or call your pediatrician directly, without having to use a patient portal.
“The model is a game-changing option for many parents who are frustrated with the current insurance-based office. Central to Zest’s approach is the deep, meaningful, and mutually respectful relationships parents develop with their pediatrician,” said Dr. Quattrone.
Memberships are surprisingly affordable. Families that participate in a concierge-style practice often pair their subscription with a high-deductible health plan, which can save money. Additional savings occurs as patients have less urgent care visits and no additional office visit fees. In fact, patient surveys indicate that 90% of Ohio members believe that the model has allowed them to avoid unnecessary office visits, 80% have avoided after-hours urgent care appointments, and 70% indicate they have avoided the emergency department. Monthly rates are based on the number of children and their ages.
Changing experiences by changing the model
Despite the tremendous efforts of pediatricians to provide the best care for patients, Quattrone said the conventional insurance model is restrictive and broken. The Zest membership model greatly reduces office overhead, allows the doctor to care for fewer patients, and liberates everyone from the burdens of a traditional high-volume insurance-based office. The result: relationships and care flourish.
“The difference from a traditional practice is amazing. I can now spend the time with families that they need and deserve. I can partner with families in creating the healthiest, happiest lives for their children,” said Dr. Quattrone.
The expansion into the Pittsburgh region reflects the popularity of the network’s approach to pediatric care, Hertz said.
“Once finalized, the Zest Pediatric Network will be unlike anything available today,” Hertz said. “We will have the next generation of pediatric care that includes services such as lactation consultants, dieticians, psychologists, parent coaches, and more. We will have a new pediatric curriculum that puts children first — not insurance companies.”
To learn more about Zest Pediatric Network and its South Hills location, visit ZestPeds.com/southhills or contact Dr. Andrew Hertz at Drew.Hertz@ZestPeds.com or call (412) 990-2157.
