Compare 1 transplant surgeons in Chattanooga, TN. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
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Transplant Surgeons
100%
Accepting patients
100%
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 1 transplant surgeons. The most common credential is MD (100%). 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 transplant evaluation is extensive, spanning multiple days and involving medical testing (blood work, imaging, cardiac testing), psychological evaluation, social work assessment, financial counseling, and educational sessions. The transplant surgeon will explain the procedure, risks, expected outcomes, and the lifelong commitment to immunosuppressive medications. If approved, you are placed on the transplant waiting list managed by UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing). Wait times vary by organ, blood type, and geographic region.
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 transplant surgeon when you are being evaluated for organ transplant listing (end-stage kidney disease, liver failure, heart failure, lung disease), when you are interested in being a living donor, or when you have been referred by your specialist (nephrologist, hepatologist, cardiologist) for transplant evaluation. Transplant teams include surgeons, physicians, coordinators, social workers, and other specialists who evaluate candidates as a group.
Transplant evaluation: covered by insurance · Kidney transplant: $250,000-400,000 · Liver transplant: $500,000-800,000 · Immunosuppressive medications: $1,000-3,000/month
Chattanooga, TN has 1 licensed transplant surgeons. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of transplant 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.
Transplant costs are among the highest in medicine. Kidney transplant costs $250,000 to $400,000. Liver transplant costs $500,000 to $800,000. Heart transplant costs $800,000 to $1.4 million. These figures include evaluation, surgery, hospital stay, and first-year medications. Actual costs in Chattanooga, TN depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Transplant costs are typically covered by insurance, including Medicare for kidney transplant patients. The transplant center has a financial coordinator who helps navigate coverage. Immunosuppressive medications cost $1,000 to $3,000 per month and are required for life. Ask about patient assistance programs for ongoing medication costs.
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.
100% of transplant surgeons in Chattanooga, TN accept Medicare. Medicare covers organ transplants at Medicare-approved transplant centers. Part A covers the hospital stay. Part B covers the surgeon and outpatient visits. Medicare Part B covers immunosuppressive drugs for 36 months post-transplant (lifetime coverage for those with Part B who enrolled due to ESRD). You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some transplant surgeons in Chattanooga, TN accept TennCare, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers organ transplants in all states, though the list of covered organs varies. Prior authorization is required. Post-transplant immunosuppressive medications are generally covered. 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 cigna, medicare, qhp-29854, qhp-14002, and unitedhealthcare.
Organ transplantation is covered by medical insurance, including Medicare (which covers kidney transplants for all end-stage renal disease patients regardless of age). Transplant evaluation, surgery, hospital stay, and immunosuppressive medications are all covered benefits. Post-transplant medications are lifelong and expensive. Medicare covers immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant recipients. For other organs, coverage varies by plan. Financial counselors at transplant centers help navigate coverage.