The Case for Transparent, Affordable Pediatric Care

Sarah Slater
Sep 29
3 min read

Sick child? Stay home and let Balanced Kids come to you

A few weeks ago, I spoke with a new acquaintance who shared her family’s recent experience in the emergency department. Her young son suddenly developed nausea and vomiting. She did everything she could at home, but after a day of not being able to keep fluids down, she knew he was becoming dehydrated and needed help.

Like any good parent, she did what most of us would do,

she took him to the ER. But first, she had to juggle logistics, ensuring her husband could take time off work to stay with their other child while she made the trip.

What Happened in the ER

Once there, the family spent over three hours waiting in a crowded, germ-filled waiting room. When they were finally seen, her son underwent:

Blood work
Rapid strep, Covid & Flu testing
A chest X-ray
An offer for an ultrasound to rule out appendicitis (which she declined, her mom gut knew it wasn’t necessary)

But in the end, what actually made the difference wasn’t the tests. It was one simple thing.

A dose of Zofran to stop the vomiting

After the Zofran, her son finally turned the corner, able to sip fluids, rest, and recover.

The Problem: A $2,000 Bill

The relief was short-lived. A week later, the family received their bill: $2,000 out of pocket due to their high-deductible health plan.

The issue isn’t that emergency care isn’t valuable, it’s absolutely life-saving when needed. The problem is that many common pediatric issues that send families to the ER could be managed affordably, safely, and conveniently at home.

The Balanced Kids Difference

In this case, what truly helped was a single dose of Zofran. The mother stated, that had known about Balanced Kids, the story could have looked very different:

A same-day visit in the comfort of their home (no germ-filled waiting rooms)
A thorough assessment by a pediatric nurse practitioner
Access to common medications like Zofran to break the vomiting cycle
Peace of mind that if anything looked concerning, a higher level of care would be recommended

Instead of a $2,000 bill, this visit would have cost $75.

Why This Matters

Families today are stretched thin, not just in time and energy, but financially. With high-deductible insurance plans, many parents end up paying out-of-pocket for nearly every visit until their deductible is met.

Balanced Kids MN was created to give families a better option: affordable, transparent, and convenient pediatric care. While we don’t bill insurance, we provide a superbill families can submit to their insurance for potential reimbursement. Our pricing model often saves families money, especially those with high deductibles.

Bringing Balance Back to Families

At Balanced Kids, we believe healthcare should feel personal, not transactional. We carry the tools and medications most often needed for pediatric sick visits, so your child can get relief quickly and you can avoid unnecessary expenses.

Yes, sometimes the ER is the right place to be. But many times, families just need a trusted provider who can meet them where they are, make sure their child is safe, and give the right treatment, without the chaos of the traditional system.