Tennessee Direct Rheumatology

The standard membership costs $125 per month with no long-term commitment. Tennessee Direct Rheumatology also charges a one-time $125 enrollment fee per individual. For patients who prefer virtual care only, telehealth-only rheumatology memberships start at $70 per month for patients aged 18 to 39, $85 per month for ages 40 to 64, and $99 per month for patients 65 and older, each with the same $125 enrollment fee.

Tennessee Direct Rheumatology does not accept insurance for office visits and has opted out of Medicare and all private insurance plans. Patients may still use their insurance for labs and imaging ordered through the practice. Members with high-deductible health plans can use their HSA funds for membership fees and services.

New patients typically see Dr. Smith within five days of joining. Established patients reach him the same day or next business day for follow-up needs. The average waiting room time at the clinic is under two minutes.

Members contact Dr. Smith directly by phone, text, or email. He responds to most messages within a few hours. This direct access comes standard with every membership tier.

New patient appointments run 75 minutes. Follow-up visits typically last 30 to 45 minutes. Dr. Smith structures his schedule to allow unhurried conversations and thorough evaluations at every visit.

Yes, Dr. Smith offers telehealth appointments for both new and established patients. Telehealth-only membership tiers allow patients anywhere to access rheumatology care without traveling to the Knoxville clinic. Same-day or next-day virtual appointments are available for established members.

The Enduring Health program is Tennessee Direct Rheumatology's longevity-focused membership add-on. It includes VO2 max testing every six months, monthly body composition analysis, resting metabolic rate testing, personalized cardiorespiratory and strength programming, advanced cardiovascular blood work, and genetic screening for dementia and cardiovascular disease. Thorne supplements at discounted prices are also available through the program.

Tennessee Direct Rheumatology works exclusively with LabCorp to keep lab costs low. Most lab studies cost between $5 and $8 for members. This pricing makes routine and disease-monitoring blood work significantly more accessible than in most traditional settings.

Yes, Tennessee Direct Rheumatology offers customized primary care packages for small business owners and their employees. The practice provides primary care visits, in-house low-cost laboratory services, telehealth options, and discounted medications. Rates are customized based on the size and needs of the business.

Yes, Dr. Smith offers full internal medicine and primary care services through the membership. The primary care membership includes up to 25 office visits per year, standard annual labs, and direct physician access. Patients can use Dr. Smith as their sole primary care doctor or pair primary care with his rheumatology expertise.