Pediatric clinics struggle to stay financially sustainable in New York City. The way a clinic gets paid, whether through insurance, out-of-pocket payments, or membership models, shapes whether it can cover operating costs and continue serving patients. This project examines how these payment models affect pediatric practice sustainability in NYC.

I will conduct research primarily at a pediatric practice at 2634 Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn, where I have worked for two summers and have existing relationships with the doctors and billing staff. I will also interview pediatricians and billing companies at other NYC practices with different payment models.

My approach combines literature review with interviews. I will review peer-reviewed studies on healthcare payment models, then interview pediatricians and billing professionals to understand the financial pressures they face. I will analyze how insurance-based, out-of-pocket, and membership care models each affect a practice’s ability to manage expenses like rent, staffing, and supplies.

I expect membership or concierge care models to offer the most financial stability due to predictable monthly revenue and reduced administrative burden. However, each payment model is unique to the location and customer base it serves. This research will provide evidence about which payment models are most viable for different pediatric clinics based on their patient population and neighborhood.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​