Compare 82 cardiothoracic surgeons in Atlanta, GA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
82
Cardiothoracic Surgeons
100%
Accepting patients
85%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Atlanta is the healthcare capital of the Southeast. The CDC is headquartered here, Emory is a top-20 research university with a massive hospital system, and Grady Memorial is one of the largest public hospitals in the country. Beyond the academic centers, Piedmont Healthcare and WellStar have built networks that reach deep into the suburbs, where most of metro Atlanta actually lives.
Atlanta has 82 cardiothoracic surgeons. The most common credential is MD (85%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Atlanta's healthcare geography follows its sprawl. The Midtown medical corridor along Peachtree Street holds Piedmont Atlanta and Emory Midtown. Emory's main campus and the CDC are in Druid Hills, east of downtown. Grady Memorial anchors the downtown core. Getting between these clusters depends on I-85, I-75, and GA-400, and traffic can double travel times during rush hours. MARTA rail reaches Midtown and downtown hospitals, but most suburban patients drive.
Providers practice throughout Atlanta. Midtown is piedmont Atlanta Hospital and Emory Midtown campus serve this dense, walkable area near the BeltLine. Buckhead is piedmont Hospital Buckhead and numerous specialty practices line Peachtree Road in this affluent district. Virginia-Highland is a charming residential area with independent practices and quick access to Emory and Piedmont hospitals. Decatur is emory Decatur Hospital (formerly DeKalb Medical) anchors healthcare in this walkable, east-of-Atlanta city.
Nearby hospitals include Emory University Hospital, Grady Memorial Hospital, and Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. Local training programs run through Emory University School of Medicine and Morehouse School of Medicine. The CDC is headquartered in Atlanta, making it a global epicenter for public health research and disease prevention.
The consultation includes a review of your cardiac or thoracic imaging, lab work, and previous testing (echocardiograms, cardiac catheterization, CT scans). The surgeon will explain the recommended procedure, expected outcomes, risks, and recovery timeline. For heart surgery, pre-operative testing may include dental clearance, blood typing, and a meeting with the anesthesia team. Recovery from open-heart surgery typically involves several days in the ICU and a total hospital stay of five to seven days.
Emory and Piedmont are the two dominant systems. If your employer is in Midtown or Buckhead, Piedmont is often the default network. For academic or research-driven care, Emory is the referral center for the region.
See a cardiothoracic surgeon for coronary artery disease requiring bypass surgery, heart valve disease (aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation), aortic aneurysms involving the thoracic aorta, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, mediastinal tumors, and pleural conditions. Your cardiologist, pulmonologist, or oncologist will typically make the referral when surgery is being considered.
Consultation copay: $30-75 · Bypass surgery (CABG): $70,000-200,000 · Valve replacement: $50,000-170,000 · VATS lobectomy: $30,000-80,000
Atlanta, GA has 82 licensed cardiothoracic surgeons. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of cardiothoracic surgeons in Atlanta, GA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia and UnitedHealthcare are the dominant commercial carriers. Ambetter and Peach State Health Plan manage Georgia Medicaid in the metro area. Piedmont and Emory each have strong networks with different insurers, so verify before your first visit.
A consultation copay is $50 to $100. Coronary artery bypass costs $70,000 to $200,000. Heart valve replacement costs $80,000 to $170,000. Lung lobectomy costs $30,000 to $80,000. Actual costs in Atlanta, GA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Cardiothoracic surgery involves the highest costs in surgery. Hospital stays average five to ten days. Bills include the surgeon, assistant surgeon, anesthesia, perfusionist (heart-lung machine operator), ICU charges, and implants. Confirm all providers are in-network before the procedure.
Atlanta's healthcare market is dominated by four systems: Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Healthcare, WellStar Health System, and Northside Hospital. Grady Memorial serves as the public safety-net hospital. Your insurance network will typically point you toward one of these systems.
65% of cardiothoracic surgeons in Atlanta, GA accept Medicare. Medicare covers medically necessary cardiothoracic procedures including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve replacement, and lung cancer surgery. Cardiac rehabilitation after surgery is also covered. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some cardiothoracic surgeons in Atlanta, GA accept Georgia Medicaid, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers medically necessary cardiothoracic surgery. Prior authorization is required. Coverage includes surgeon, facility, anesthesia, ICU, and post-operative rehabilitation. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Georgia Medicaid participation before scheduling.
No. Grady is a Level I trauma center and serves all patients. It is the public safety-net hospital for Fulton and DeKalb counties, but it also runs specialty clinics that accept commercial insurance. Its Emory affiliation means you may see Emory-trained physicians there.
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta operates two main campuses (Egleston near Emory and Scottish Rite in Sandy Springs) and is building a new campus in Brookhaven. It is the primary pediatric referral center for the entire state of Georgia.
Top accepted carriers in Atlanta, GA include unitedhealthcare, medicare, centene, qhp-29854, and qhp-17091.
Cardiothoracic surgery is covered under medical insurance for medically indicated conditions. These are complex, expensive procedures that always require prior authorization. Cardiac rehabilitation after surgery is covered by Medicare and most insurance plans (typically 36 sessions). Verify that all members of the surgical team and the hospital are in-network. Hospital stays for heart surgery commonly exceed $100,000 before insurance.