Frequently Asked Questions

Concierge medicine is a different type of primary care that’s based on a simple concept: eliminating barriers between patients and physicians. We believe that by spending more time with your doctor—and getting the personalized care you truly deserve—you can achieve a higher level of wellness.

Watch our video to learn more about the benefits of concierge medicine »

Yes. The benefits of our services depend on a contract between the doctor and the patient.

Monthly membership fees in primary healthcare may feel like a new idea. Here's why it makes sense for both of us! In a conventional model, primary care physicians are reimbursed by insurance companies for individual visits to the doctor’s office. This model creates a monetary incentive for doctors to see as many patients as possible each day. And even if you have good insurance, there can still be unpredictable costs involved in your care.

With a concierge model, things are different. The predictable monthly membership fee allows your doctor to provide you with exceptional care, beyond what a typical primary care facility is set up to offer. You get longer appointments, virtual visits, and proactive data-driven health tracking. At Novara, your doctor is your trusted advisor, partnering with you to improve your health.

We begin by having you schedule a complimentary tour. This gives us the chance to meet each other, explain Novara's model, introduce our staff, and make sure all your questions are answered. If we both feel that our practice is a proper fit for your medical needs, we schedule an onboarding visit, typically 2–4 weeks later.

Think of it as a strategic planning session for your health. This two-hour visit gives us a chance to learn about the real you. What do you enjoy? Who do you spend your time with? What matters most to you? Where can we improve your health? Do you deal with any ongoing ailments? What are your goals in the immediate and not-so-immediate future?

During this time, we decide together which next steps make the most sense (whether that’s bloodwork, advanced imaging, or cardiac testing, etc.). It’s a comprehensive medical visit with a spa-like feel; we use good old-fashioned exam skills with our stethoscopes and otoscopes while you relax in a warm, fluffy robe.

Absolutely. Dr. Laura DiPaolo joined our practice in 2025 and many of our female patients choose to work with her. She is board certified in family medicine, fellowship-trained in non-surgical orthopedics (sports medicine), and has a passion for women’s health. Erin Leber, CRNP, and Kimberly Ibarra, CRNP, both have extensive experience in women’s healthcare prior to joining Novara. They both have a passion for helping women navigate the challenges they face at any stage of life. Dr. Stephanie Onguka also enjoys addressing some of the unique aspects that arise in women's health and can answer any questions when she is in the office. Dr. DiPaolo, Erin, Dr. Stephanie, and Dr. Hager can all complete exams, offer advice, and coordinate women’s care.

No. We have learned from reputable customer service organizations within and outside of healthcare and recognize the importance of flexibility in collecting membership fees. You can pay monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. You can also cancel at any time.

Absolutely. Drs. Hager and DiPaolo completed a residency program that included extensive pediatric, adolescent, and newborn care. However, we believe that newborn care is best left to providers who spend most of their time with newborns. With that said, we’re delighted and privileged to care for children ages 5 and up and consider ourselves a concierge family practice. It is quite beneficial to provide care for one member of a family when you understand the dynamics of the rest of the members of the family.

Our team works closely with the region’s leading medical and surgical specialists and have experience referring patients to world class centers outside of Pennsylvania. We are often able to arrange a virtual consultation so patients can receive a medical opinion without having to travel to a specialist’s office. If an in-person visit is necessary, Novara’s team assists in the scheduling.

Many patients feel this coordination dramatically enhances their specialist care. Our Physicians “quarterback” your entire care plan and make sure all team members work together to achieve the best outcome.

Novara Health is privately owned and operated, but maintains close connections with Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health. We utilize the Epic Electronic Health Record (a world-class system typically only available to large organizations and used by Penn, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and others).

Epic allows us to keep your health information in one secure place and collaborate directly with other providers. Seeing a specialist at LGHealth? Excellent, we can communicate with them through your chart. Receive your yearly mammogram at the Outpatient Pavilion? Your results will be visible to us right here at Novara.

We’re proud of the relationships we have outside of our four walls and refer patients to the best of the best. If you prefer to utilize a different health system in our community, we’ll be happy to honor your wishes and facilitate care accordingly. And, we routinely refer beyond our community as desired for specialty care at health systems such as Penn Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Johns Hopkins, and others. You can rest assured that Novara provides you with the greatest resources available to deliver personalized, innovative care.