Compare 66 dietitians & nutritionists in Chattanooga, TN. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
66
Dietitians & Nutritionists
100%
Accepting patients
21%
Most common: RD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Chattanooga is the healthcare anchor for the tri-state corner where Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama meet. Erlanger Medical Center is the academic trauma center, while CHI Memorial (now part of CommonSpirit Health) provides the largest community hospital network. The city is smaller than Nashville or Knoxville, but it serves a regional population that extends well beyond Hamilton County.
Chattanooga has 66 dietitians & nutritionists. The most common credential is RD (21%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Chattanooga sits in a river valley between ridges, so geography shapes how people get to care. Erlanger and Parkridge are clustered near downtown along I-24. CHI Memorial's main campus is on the east side along Gunbarrel Road, with a second campus in Hixson to the north. Most travel is by car, and the compact city means most appointments are within a 20-minute drive. Patients from northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama regularly cross state lines for care here.
Providers practice throughout Chattanooga. North Shore is a walkable neighborhood across the river from downtown with growing wellness-oriented practices and proximity to Erlanger. Southside is a revitalized area near downtown Chattanooga with new medical offices and community health services. St. Elmo is a historic neighborhood at the base of Lookout Mountain with established family practices. Red Bank is a suburban community served by CHI Memorial and several primary care offices along Dayton Boulevard.
Nearby hospitals include CHI Memorial Hospital, Erlanger Medical Center, and Parkridge Medical Center. Local training programs run through University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Erlanger Medical Center is a Level I trauma center and the primary teaching hospital for the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga.
An initial session lasts 60 to 90 minutes. The dietitian will review your medical history, current medications, eating patterns (you may be asked to keep a food diary beforehand), physical activity, cooking skills, and food preferences. They will assess lab results if relevant (blood sugar, cholesterol, kidney function). Together, you will set realistic goals and develop a meal plan that fits your life. Follow-up sessions (30 to 60 minutes) typically occur every two to four weeks. Dietitians do not prescribe rigid diets; they help you build sustainable eating habits.
See a dietitian if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, celiac disease, or food allergies that require dietary management. Dietitians also help with weight management, eating disorders (in conjunction with a therapist), pregnancy nutrition, sports performance nutrition, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and managing side effects of cancer treatment. Your doctor may refer you after a new diagnosis, but many people also seek out a dietitian on their own for help with their relationship with food or to improve their diet for general health.
Initial consultation: $100-250 · Follow-up session: $75-150 · With insurance copay: $20-50 · Medicare MNT: $0 copay for diabetes/kidney disease
Chattanooga, TN has 66 licensed dietitians & nutritionists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of dietitians & nutritionists in Chattanooga, TN are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is the dominant carrier. TennCare is accepted at Erlanger and most CHI Memorial facilities. Patients crossing from Georgia should verify whether their Georgia insurance plans cover Tennessee providers.
An initial consultation costs $100 to $250. A follow-up session costs $75 to $150. With insurance copay: $20 to $50. Medicare MNT for diabetes: $0 copay. Actual costs in Chattanooga, TN depend on the provider and your insurance plan. If you have diabetes, kidney disease, or a recent organ transplant, nutrition therapy is likely covered by your insurance. For other conditions, call your plan to check for MNT coverage. HSA/FSA funds can cover dietitian visits.
Chattanooga has two main hospital systems: Erlanger Health System (academic, trauma) and CHI Memorial (CommonSpirit Health, community). Parkridge Medical Center (HCA) provides additional capacity. Start with your insurance network to narrow your options.
RD stands for Registered Dietitian and RDN stands for Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Chattanooga, TN, 21% hold the RD credential and 12% hold RDN. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
Some dietitians & nutritionists in Chattanooga, TN accept TennCare, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers MNT for qualifying diagnoses in most states. Coverage varies. Children's nutrition services are covered under EPSDT. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm TennCare participation before scheduling.
Yes. Erlanger and CHI Memorial both serve patients from Catoosa County (GA), Dade County (GA), and DeKalb County (AL). However, state Medicaid programs don't always transfer across borders, so verify your coverage before scheduling.
Chattanooga handles most routine and specialty care well. For highly specialized procedures or rare conditions, patients are typically referred to Vanderbilt in Nashville (about 2 hours) or Emory in Atlanta (about 2 hours). The city is well-positioned between both referral centers.
Top accepted carriers in Chattanooga, TN include unitedhealthcare, qhp-14002, centene, medicare, and qhp-29854.
Insurance coverage for dietitian services depends on your diagnosis. Medicare covers medical nutrition therapy for diabetes and kidney disease with no copay (when provided by an RD). Many commercial plans cover MNT for chronic conditions. The ACA requires coverage of obesity screening and counseling. Coverage for general wellness nutrition counseling varies. Ask your plan specifically about "medical nutrition therapy" coverage and whether a referral or diagnosis code is required. Many dietitians also accept self-pay at reasonable rates.