Compare 16 internists in Chattanooga, TN. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
16
Internists
100%
Accepting patients
88%
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 16 internists. The most common credential is MD (88%). 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 appointment typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes. The internist will take a thorough medical history, review your medications and supplements, perform a physical exam, and order any needed lab work or screening tests. They are trained to dig into diagnostic puzzles, so they may ask detailed questions about symptoms you have mentioned to other doctors.
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 an internist for annual physicals, chronic disease management (diabetes, heart disease, COPD), unexplained symptoms that do not have an obvious cause, medication management for multiple conditions, preventive screenings (colonoscopy referrals, cancer screenings), and any adult health concern. Internists do not treat children.
Wellness visit: $0 (preventive) · Office visit copay: $20-50 · Comprehensive metabolic panel: $100-300
Chattanooga, TN has 16 licensed internists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of internists 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.
Annual wellness visits are covered at $0. Sick visit copays range from $20 to $50. A comprehensive metabolic panel costs $100 to $300. Actual costs in Chattanooga, TN depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Internal medicine visits are billed the same as other primary care visits. Complex visits involving multiple problems may be coded at a higher level, resulting in a higher copay.
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, 88% hold the MD credential and 6% hold DO. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
75% of internists in Chattanooga, TN accept Medicare. Medicare covers an Annual Wellness Visit at no cost. Standard office visits are covered under Part B with a 20% coinsurance after the deductible. 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, cigna, and centene.
Preventive visits are covered at 100% under the ACA with no copay. Standard office visits carry a copay of $20 to $50. Most insurance plans allow you to select an internist as your primary care physician. Check that your internist is in-network. Specialist referrals may require your PCP's involvement depending on your plan type (HMO vs. PPO).