Concierge Medicine FAQs

Concierge Medicine is a medical practice that is smaller than normal practices – usually limited in size to a fraction of the number of patients in traditional practices. This reduced number of patients allows your doctor to get to know you better and offer unhurried visits when you schedule an appointment.

Yes, we are accepting new patients as long as they are 12 years or older.

Although every patient and situation are different, you can always expect an unhurried office visit when you come for your appointment with Dr. Grifa.

Yes, that’s one of the benefits of this type of care. You will have direct access to your doctor whenever you need her. You’ll have her cell phone number for emergencies and urgent matters that come up after hours.

While there is not a specific limit, we do ask that you be respectful to Dr. Grifa and other patients who may need her help and use this benefit of Concierge Medicine only as needed.

No, NGPG Concierge Medicine does not make house calls.

When Dr. Grifa goes out of town, on vacation or is otherwise unavailable, the advanced practice provider who works alongside her every day will provide coverage during this time.

Dr. Grifa can provide any referrals to specialists that are needed. Being a part of NGPG gives her direct access to the wide array of expert specialty physicians within the group.

If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. Once you’re in the good hands of the folks at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, someone on our staff or from your family should contact Dr. Grifa to help coordinate your care from there. If you’re only experiencing a minor injury or illness, feel free to call her before going to Urgent Care.

While Dr. Grifa won’t treat you inside the hospital, she will help coordinate your care with the doctors taking care of you during your stay.

If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. Once you’re taken care of, someone from your family should contact Dr. Grifa to help coordinate your care with the providers where you are. If you don’t need emergency care, she can still call in medication to a pharmacy near you and advise on what to do with minor problems while you’re away.

There is an annual fee of $1,600 to become a patient of Dr. Grifa’s at NGPG Concierge Medicine. This fee is due by cash, check or credit card at the beginning of the membership period, and will be prorated according to the month you join NGPG Concierge Medicine.

Insurance does not typically cover concierge medicine fees. However, some Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plans may reimburse you for all or part of the fee, so reach out to your insurance provider to learn more.

Yes, you should keep your traditional health insurance to pay for any additional services that might be needed. Our office will bill your health insurance plan for your office visits, but you will still be responsible for paying any deductibles or co-payment.

You will still be responsible for paying for your medications, diagnostic testing, specialist care, hospitalizations or other services. That’s why we recommend you keep your health insurance to help cover these costs. Your annual fee pays only for membership at NGPG Concierge Medicine.

You will not be billed for contacting Dr. Grifa after hours. This is part of the enhanced access you receive by being a NGPG Concierge Medicine patient.

Yes, NGPG Concierge Medicine is a participating provider for Medicare. You can become a patient of Dr. Grifa’s and use your Medicare coverage to help pay for your medically-necessary medications, treatments and services.

We do not accept Medicaid at this time.

Yes, you can cancel your membership upon 30 days written notice. Once you have cancelled, you will receive a refund of the prorated portion of the paid annual membership fee, based on the number of days that have elapsed in the service year.