Modern Medicine, Old-Fashioned Care

DirectCare FAQ's 

1.  What services are provided to DirectCare Patients?Please see the "DirectCare Highlights” page for a complete list of services and amenities.

2.  What is the mission of DirectCare?     I strive to provide the highest quality medical care, emphasizing a proactive, comprehensive approach to disease prevention and health management.  I want patients to be completely satisfied with every aspect of their care.

3.  How will my practice be different?     Most primary care physicians care for 3,000 – 4,000 patients and often see up to six patients an hour.  By reducing my practice to only several hundred patients, I expect that I will schedule only 8-12 patients in an entire day.  This means appointments start on time and I can spend more time with you.  If a problem requires an extra 30 minutes of evaluation, I can accommodate you.  I want to be your health advocate.  My staff and I will assist you by scheduling all testing inside and outside our office, and by coordinating care with hospitals and specialists.  My belief is that more time means better care.

4.  Will you still be on staff at the same hospitals?     Yes.  My affiliation with Northeast Georgia Medical Center’s Main and Lanier Park campuses will not be affected by my practice change. Should you be admitted, I will care for you during your stay and will assist in the coordination of your inpatient care.

5.  Are you staying at the same office location?     Yes.  I will continue to see patients in the current office, and I will remain a partner in The Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic, LLC.

6.  Who will cover for you when you are not available?     My ideal goal is to be available 7 days a week. There will be infrequent occasions when I am out of town or otherwise unavailable.  In these situations, another physician will cover for me.  For practical reasons, I reserve the right to designate another qualified physician to perform any and all services should the need arise.

7.  Do I still need health insurance if I enroll with you?     Yes.  The DirectCare Program will not take the place of your health insurance coverage.  My practice is a primary care medical practice, not a health insurance program.  You are advised to continue your health insurance coverage.

8.  Will my insurance still be billed for my office visits?     Yes.  I will bill your insurance company directly for office visits.  If your insurance plan requires a copayment, I will collect it at the time of service.  Office visit charges, with the exception of your Comprehensive Annual Wellness Exam, are not included in the annual DirectCare Program Fee.

9.  What if you are not a ‘Provider’ on my insurance plan?     If I am not a provider for your insurance plan, patients of my practice will be charged $30 for each office visit.

10.  Will you still be a Participating Provider for Medicare?     Yes.  My status with Medicare will be unchanged. I will continue to bill Medicare as well as your supplemental insurer on your behalf, as required by law.

11.  Do you bill Medicare for the Annual DirectCare Program Fee?     No.  The Annual DirectCare Program Fee only includes services that are NOT covered by Medicare, and cannot be paid for or reimbursed by Medicare.  I will bill Medicare for your sick visits and for any additional services performed at my practice that ARE covered by Medicare. 

12.  Will my private insurance reimburse my Annual DirectCare Program Fee?   It is unlikely.  However, if it is determined that your insurance plan will cover some of the DirectCare Services – namely those associated with the Comprehensive Annual Wellness Exam – we will charge those patients an adjusted Annual DirectCare Program Fee.  Additionally, some Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account plans may pay for all or part of the Annual DirectCare Program Fee.  DirectCare patients are advised to consult their human resources representative at their place of employment or their FSA/HSA plan managers.

13.  Is the Annual DirectCare Program Fee tax deductible?     The Annual DirectCare Program Fee is a medical expense and may be deductible.  Patients are advised to consult with their tax preparers to clarify qualification in their particular circumstance.

14.  What about lab, radiology, specialists’ fees and hospitalization?     Your Annual DirectCare Program Fee covers the DirectCare Services only (please see the “DirectCare Highlights” for a list of services).  All other procedures and services not performed in my office will be billed by the performing entity.  Services performed within the clinic which are not considered DirectCare Services will be billed to your insurance.

15.  Does Dr. Terry provide gynecologic services?     Yes.  Dr. Terry can do screening pap smears and handle your routine gynecologic care.

16.  What if I have an emergency?     If you have a life threatening emergency, call 911 immediately.  After you call 911, please call me.  I will assist in the coordination of your emergency care thereafter.  Patients are asked to contact me before going to any urgent care facility and at any time of the day or night.  I will attempt to address urgent after-hours problems directly. 

17.  What do I do if I become ill while traveling or away on an extended vacation?     Call 911 if you have a life threatening emergency.  Then call me.  Call me first if the problem is minor.  With the exception of a few controlled substances, most prescriptions can be ordered anywhere in the country.  If necessary, it may be possible for me to find you a resource where you are for care.  If you seek care at an emergency room or urgent care center out of our area, I request that you have the doctor seeing you call me for coordination.  I will be readily available for phone consultation with you and/or other health care personnel.  If you should require hospitalization while away from home, I am available if necessary to communicate with you and your attending physician(s) to ensure continuity of care. 

18.  What if I need to see a specialist or a surgeon?     As always, my patients are free to see any specialist they wish.  I am available to help you decide which specialists to see and to coordinate such consultations.  In this way the most appropriate resource is used, the earliest arrangements are made, and your applicable medical information is sent in advance of your specialist visit.   

19.  What happens if I move out of the area after I have paid the Annual DirectCare Program Fee?     If you move and wish to secure a new primary care physician, the Annual DirectCare Program Fee will be refunded on a pro rata basis.  However, if the Comprehensive Annual Wellness Exam has been completed, there will be no refund.  A copy of your records will be sent to your new physician upon receipt of a signed release.  This release of records is required by law. 

20.  Can I participate in DirectCare later?     By design, my practice will be limited to several hundred patients.   Once that limit is reached, a waiting list will be established.  Every effort will be made to accommodate interested patients, but my practice must be limited in order to continue to provide the highest standard of personalized care and service to all DirectCare patients. 

21.  What are Dr. Terry’s credentials?    

● Undergraduate Degree: University of Georgia, 1988

● Medical Degree: Medical University of South Carolina. 1996

● Internal Medicine Residency: Carolinas Medical Center 1996-1999

● Chief Medical Resident:  1999

● Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine,1999

● Member of American College of Physicians

● Member of Medical Association of Georgia

● Member of American Medical Association