Compare 29 gastroenterologists in Chattanooga, TN. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
29
Gastroenterologists
100%
Accepting patients
83%
Most common: MD
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 29 gastroenterologists. The most common credential is MD (83%). 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.
The first visit includes a thorough review of your symptoms, diet, bowel habits, and medical history. The GI doctor may order blood work, stool tests, or imaging. If a colonoscopy or endoscopy is needed, they will schedule it separately and explain the preparation. Procedures are done under sedation and typically take 20 to 45 minutes. You will need someone to drive you home afterward.
Erlanger and CHI Memorial are the two main systems. Erlanger is the trauma and academic center, while CHI Memorial has more community-oriented locations. Your insurance network is the best guide for choosing between them.
See a gastroenterologist for persistent heartburn or acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, chronic abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, blood in your stool, chronic diarrhea or constipation, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's, ulcerative colitis), abnormal liver tests, hepatitis, celiac disease, or when it is time for a screening colonoscopy. Your PCP may refer you after initial evaluation.
Office visit copay: $30-75 · Screening colonoscopy: $0 (preventive) · Diagnostic colonoscopy: $1,500-4,000 · Upper endoscopy: $1,000-3,000
The valley geography and proximity to industrial areas contribute to above-average asthma rates. Primary care doctors in Chattanooga frequently manage respiratory conditions as part of routine care.
Frequent heartburn that does not respond to over-the-counter antacids may be gastroesophageal reflux disease. A gastroenterologist evaluates the severity and recommends treatment to prevent long-term esophageal damage.
Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis require ongoing management by a gastroenterologist who monitors disease activity, adjusts medications, and performs colonoscopies to assess the health of your intestinal lining.
IBS causes bloating, cramping, and unpredictable bowel habits that interfere with daily life. A gastroenterologist confirms the diagnosis and helps you find dietary and medical strategies that bring relief.
Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening, now recommended starting at age 45. A gastroenterologist performs the procedure and removes precancerous polyps before they become dangerous.
Elevated liver enzymes, fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis all fall within a gastroenterologist scope. Early detection and management prevent progression to liver failure.
Chattanooga, TN has 29 licensed gastroenterologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of gastroenterologists 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 office visit copay is $30 to $75. A screening colonoscopy is $0 (preventive). A diagnostic colonoscopy costs $1,500 to $4,000. An upper endoscopy runs $1,000 to $3,000. Actual costs in Chattanooga, TN depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Screening colonoscopies must be billed as preventive to be covered at 100%. If polyps are found and removed, the procedure should remain coded as screening. Verify that the endoscopy center and anesthesiologist are both in-network.
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.
MD stands for Doctor of Medicine and DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Chattanooga, TN, 83% hold the MD credential and 10% hold DO. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
86% of gastroenterologists in Chattanooga, TN accept Medicare. Medicare covers screening colonoscopies every ten years for average-risk patients (no cost-sharing). Diagnostic colonoscopies and other GI procedures are covered with standard Part B cost-sharing. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
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 medicare, unitedhealthcare, qhp-29854, qhp-14002, and cigna.
Screening colonoscopies are covered at 100% as preventive care under the ACA with no copay (for average-risk patients starting at age 45). If polyps are found and removed during a screening, the procedure should still be billed as preventive. Diagnostic colonoscopies (ordered for symptoms) are subject to your deductible and copay. Verify the endoscopy center is in-network separately from the doctor.