PCP FAQs

Georgia Memory Net’s recommended criteria for a referral include a cognitive screening test with impaired scores or observed or reported symptoms typical of memory loss, mild cognitive impairment, or dementia. If you have a patient whose screening or symptoms suggests the need for further memory loss assessment or diagnostic testing, Georgia Memory Net is a simple referral away. You can refer by placing an order in local system (CPOE), or by faxing a completed form to your patient’s most convenient Memory Assessment Clinic.

In the state of Georgia, it used to take up to 18 months to schedule a diagnostic appointment for a definitive diagnosis for Alzheimer’s or related dementias. Since Georgia Memory Net was founded, Georgians can get an appointment in an average of 5 weeks, though that time can vary depending on demand. Because every case is different, the time required to receive results varies, though it usually is within a couple of weeks.

Though it’s not required, Georgia Memory Net recommends that a care partner or partners are aware of the referral in order to support scheduling and attending the appointments as needed.

Most people Georgia Memory Net diagnoses are covered by Medicare. However, our MACs also accept a range of private insurance plans as well as self-pay options. For patients who are underinsured or uninsured, many of our MACs offer financial assistance programs to help ensure access to care.

After diagnosis, Georgia Memory Net provides a customized care plan for each patient to their Primary Care Provider so that they can be well informed in managing their health moving forward. This can include coordinating with specialists and other health care providers. Currently, GMN does not provide ongoing care, but in the rapidly changing landscape of Alzheimer’s treatments, we are exploring models to be more directly involved in the follow-up care of GMN patients.

If you notice symptoms that could be caused by Alzheimer’s or related dementias in a patient over 65, we recommend a referral to Georgia Memory Net as soon as possible. At our Memory Assessment Clinics, or via telemedicine, our specialists will use multiple diagnostic tools to determine whether your patient’s symptoms are Alzheimer’s related, or if they may be due to another cause.

Patient Scheduling: The selected MAC contacts the patient directly to schedule the initial appointment. Initial Appointment via Telehealth at DPH Site: The patient visits the chosen DPH site for their initial appointment, during which they will meet virtually with a GMN provider through a secure telehealth connection. Assessment & Follow-Up: Once the assessment is complete, the GMN provider will contact the referring PCP with the results and recommendations for the patient’s continued care journey.

Georgia Memory Net does not manage or support any type of research; the Georgia Department of Human Services funds are not used for direct human subjects research or clinical trials. However, because of our connections with Emory University and other academic medical programs statewide, we are able to share information on opportunities to participate in externally funded research through trusted partners.

Recent research suggests that new therapies, as well as lifestyle changes, can have a meaningful impact on the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Association is a reliable source for information on the latest Alzheimer’s treatments and how they can impact a person’s health and well-being.

Georgia Memory Net does not monitor the ongoing cognitive function of patients after diagnosis. Our model returns care to their Primary Care Provider for ongoing monitoring and treatment. We recommend regular appointments for you to monitor their symptoms, as well as continuing yearly Annual Wellness Visits. Though GMN does not currently provide ongoing care, in the rapidly changing landscape of Alzheimer’s treatments we are exploring models that may allow us to be more directly involved in the follow-up care of our patients.

Each of Georgia Memory Net’s Memory Assessment Clinics has a Community Services Educator who works with Area Agencies on Aging, the Alzheimer’s Association, and other local organizations to provide education and support for Georgians living with Alzheimer’s disease and their care partners. Connecting diagnosed Georgians with appropriate programs is an important step in our process.

Diagnostic appointments with Georgia Memory Net require a referral from a Primary Care Provider, so their role in the diagnostic process is important. After Georgia Memory Net provides a diagnosis and personalized care plan, the Primary Care Provider will continue ongoing care for the patient—GMN’s services are purely diagnostic; we do not provide ongoing care.

If Georgia Memory Net diagnoses a patient with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, our specialists provide the patient, and their Primary Care Provider, with a personalized care plan. This plan may include recommended medications, or suggested treatment plans best suited to the patient’s disease state.

A PCP’s first step to working with a Georgia Memory Net Memory Assessment Clinic specialist is to provide a simple referral form to begin the diagnostic process. After the diagnostic process, our specialists will provide the PCP with a customized care plan tailored to the patient’s needs.

As part of Georgia Memory Net’s diagnostic services, each Memory Assessment Clinic’s Community Services Educator connects people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or related dementias with local support organizations like the Area Agencies on Aging, the Alzheimer’s Association and other organizations that provide education and support for Georgians living with Alzheimer’s disease and their care partners.

Currently, GMN’s services focus on diagnosis; we do not provide end-of-life care planning.

Georgia Memory Net is a statewide early diagnosis and care program for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, supported by the Georgia Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Georgia Alzheimer’s Project (GAP). Georgia Memory Net established five clinics in 2018 with $4 million in state health funds. Georgia Memory Net-supported outreach and training activities provide resources to Georgia physicians and medical professionals on how to use the Medicare-supported Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) to screen for early memory loss and cognitive decline. Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) are encouraged to refer patients who demonstrate signs of memory loss and cognitive decline to a regional Georgia Memory Net Memory Assessment Clinic. At each Memory Assessment Clinic, trained clinicians perform comprehensive diagnostic assessments and care planning. Each Memory Assessment Clinic has a Community Services Educator (CSE) who works with Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), the Alzheimer’s Association, and other organizations to provide education and support for Georgians living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, as well as their care partners. The Memory Assessment Clinics share diagnosis and care recommendations with the patient’s Primary Care Physician, so the provider is better prepared to treat the patient’s memory issues and cognitive decline. Georgia Memory Net expansion is anticipated in the future, so even more Georgians will have access to these vital diagnostic services.

There are three main goals of Georgia Memory Net: 1) Improve the screening of Georgians with memory loss with a sustainable Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) model. 2) Establish Memory Assessment Clinics around the state that can accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s and related dementias, and improve care. 3) Support the Georgia Alzheimer’s Project’s oversight and evaluation of project performance and direct data collection to the Alzheimer’s Registry in the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Working with many partners, Emory University serves as the primary implementing partner for the project, providing the clinical workflow model for Georgia Memory Net. The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) and its Division of Aging Services (DAS) oversee all aspects of Georgia Memory Net development, implementation and reporting. These agencies also keep the Georgia General Assembly apprised of the progress and fiscal responsibility of Georgia Memory Net administration. Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (GARD) State Plan Collaborative; a task force consisting of private, nonprofit and government agency representatives; will partner closely with Georgia Memory Net on educational efforts, advocacy, workforce development and other areas. For Georgia Memory Net’s first few years, academic medical center partners will focus on Georgia Memory Net clinic implementation. The Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University; Medical College of Georgia affiliates based in Albany, GA within the Phoebe Putney Health System; Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon (Navicent Health); Mercer affiliates based at Columbus Regional Medical Center; and the Morehouse School of Medicine at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta have established the first five Georgia Memory Net sites. In addition to Georgia Memory Net’s partnerships with academic medical centers, many community and education service partners are key to the project’s success and to the improvement of the health and quality of life for Georgians with dementia and their families. The Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), the state Aging and Disabilities Resource Connection (ADRC), the Alzheimer’s Association and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving all serve vital roles in Georgia Memory Net. These agencies work closely with Georgia Memory Net leadership to develop infrastructure and workflow for implementing the comprehensive care plan. The Emory Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center leadership and technical assistance groups will provide training, funding and ongoing evaluation for each Georgia Memory Net Memory Assessment Clinic.

Access to Georgia Memory Net clinic services requires a referral from a Primary Care Provider (PCP). Potential patients should discuss their memory concerns with their PCP, who can provide a Georgia Memory Net Memory Assessment Clinic referral if they meet the referral criteria.

Many medical and mental health issues may mask as Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. Physicians or Advanced Practice Providers, such as Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants, are best equipped to rule out some of the masking disorders, including thyroid or Vitamin B disorders, depression and side effects of particular medications or combinations of medications. Using the PCPs to determine the greatest likelihood of a dementia prior to making the referral enables Georgia Memory Net to streamline the process of delivering diagnostic and care planning expertise.

General neurologists treat a wide range of conditions and diseases affecting the nervous system. Cognitive neurologists specialize in treating patients with memory loss, dementia and cognitive dysfunction. There are few cognitive neurologists in Georgia outside of Atlanta. Using telehealth and consultative resources, Georgia Memory Net provides its Memory Assessment Clinics with access to cognitive neurologists, Emory clinicians and scientists specializing in memory issues and cognitive decline, and a Community Service Educator (CSE) for care recommendations. Moreover, Georgia Memory Net staff has the education and resources to follow up with a patient’s local Primary Care Physician, ensuring that they are well-equipped to continue caring for their patients with memory issues and cognitive decline, since many patients are unable to regularly visit a neurologist due to geographic distance or scheduling constraints.

Georgia Memory Net will train Primary Care Providers on how to conduct and bill for the Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), ensuring the Mini-Cog™ is conducted within the AWV. PCPs will also receive training on providing the best care for dementia patients and their families in primary care settings to ensure they’re equipped to care for their patients in the long term following their Memory Assessment Clinic visits. As Memory Assessment Clinics go from pilot to full operations, Georgia Memory Net will deliver regional messaging in digital and live format via webinars regarding referral processes via AWVs, expectations of PCP-to-Memory Assessment Clinic communications and care continuity instruction. Georgia Memory Net will offer regional and statewide conferences in partnership with various professional organizations like the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians, or the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association.

In the state of Georgia, it used to take up to 18 months to schedule a diagnostic appointment for a definitive diagnosis for Alzheimer’s or related dementias. Since Georgia Memory Net was founded, Georgians can get an appointment for a diagnosis in an average of 5 weeks, though that time can vary depending on demand.

The Community Service Educator meets with Georgia Memory Network patients and their care partners to provide initial support and education, assess initial care needs, develop written care recommendations and link the patients and care partners with community resources that can provide ongoing support, like the Alzheimer’s Association and the local Area Agency on Aging.

No. Georgia Memory Net Memory Assessment Clinics are not designed to provide ongoing patient care, so the Community Services Educator is not able to provide ongoing care coordination, case management or counseling services. The CSE connects people living with dementia and their care partners to local community resources that can address their individualized needs. These resources may include the Area Agencies on Aging, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving.