Compare 70 orthopedic surgeons in Chattanooga, TN. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
70
Orthopedic Surgeons
100%
Accepting patients
89%
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 70 orthopedic surgeons. The most common credential is MD (89%). 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 physical exam of the affected area, range-of-motion testing, and imaging review (bring any existing X-rays or MRI results). The orthopedist may order additional imaging. They will explain the diagnosis and discuss treatment options, starting with conservative approaches (therapy, bracing, injections) before considering surgery.
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 orthopedist for persistent joint pain, sports injuries (torn ACL, meniscus tears, rotator cuff), fractures, back or neck pain that is not improving, carpal tunnel symptoms, arthritis limiting your daily activities, or a musculoskeletal injury that has not responded to initial treatment from your primary care doctor.
Office visit copay: $30-75 · MRI: $500-3,000 · Cortisone injection: $100-300 · Knee replacement: $20,000-50,000
Chattanooga, TN has 70 licensed orthopedic surgeons. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of orthopedic surgeons 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.
Office visit copays range from $30 to $75. An MRI costs $500 to $3,000. Cortisone injections run $100 to $300. Knee replacement surgery costs $20,000 to $50,000 before insurance. Actual costs in Chattanooga, TN depend on the provider and your insurance plan. MRIs and advanced imaging often require prior authorization. Physical therapy sessions are usually covered but may be capped at a certain number per year. Verify in-network status for both surgeon and facility before any procedure.
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, 89% hold the MD credential and 9% hold DO. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
77% of orthopedic surgeons in Chattanooga, TN accept Medicare. Medicare covers orthopedic visits, imaging, and procedures when medically necessary. Joint replacements are covered under Part A (inpatient) or Part B (outpatient). Physical therapy is also covered with limits. 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 unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-29854, qhp-14002, and cigna.
Orthopedic visits are covered as specialist visits under your medical insurance. MRIs and other imaging may require prior authorization. Physical therapy sessions are usually covered with a copay, though plans may limit the number per year. Joint replacement surgery is a major medical expense. Verify in-network status for both the surgeon and the facility.