Hood Dannis E Jr MD PC in Chattanooga: Interventional Cardiology and Coronary Care
Hood Dannis E Jr MD is a cardiologist practicing at a solo or small-group practice in Chattanooga, focusing on interventional cardiology and the management of coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and other cardiac conditions requiring catheterization or device-based intervention. The practice sits between the larger hospital-affiliated cardiology departments at Erlanger and Parkridge and smaller primary-care referral-dependent offices, serving patients who need specialized cardiac procedures or long-term management of complex heart conditions in a dedicated outpatient setting.
What Hood Dannis E Jr MD Actually Offers
Hood Dannis E Jr MD provides interventional cardiology services, meaning the practice diagnoses and treats heart disease using catheter-based procedures such as coronary angiography, angioplasty, stent placement, and management of structural heart conditions. The practice also manages medical cardiology, including treatment of heart failure, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), and coronary risk factors. Because interventional work often requires hospital access, patients undergoing procedures will be referred to an affiliated hospital facility, typically Erlanger Health System or another local hospital with catheterization laboratory capabilities. The practice itself handles office-based consultation, follow-up care, medication management, and non-invasive testing such as electrocardiography and stress testing.
Services, Referrals, and Insurance
Most visits to a cardiologist in Chattanooga require a referral from a primary-care physician, though the urgency and availability of that referral vary. Hood Dannis E Jr MD accepts most major insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee and Medicare; however, verification of your specific plan and deductible structure should happen before your first appointment, as out-of-pocket costs can be substantial for coronary procedures. Initial consultation typically costs between $200 and $400 before insurance, with follow-up visits running $150 to $250. Procedures such as stent placement or arrhythmia management carry significantly higher costs depending on hospital facility fees and insurance coverage, and your hospital will provide a separate bill from the physician fee. Ask at scheduling whether the office offers a payment plan or financial counselor if costs are a concern.
How Hood Dannis E Jr MD Compares to Other Chattanooga Cardiologists
Chattanooga has several options for cardiology care. Erlanger Health System and CHI Parkridge operate larger cardiology departments with multiple cardiologists and a wider range of in-house imaging, electrophysiology, and heart-failure clinics. These groups may offer shorter wait times for routine appointments (sometimes same-week) and easier hospital coordination because procedures happen at their facility. However, some patients prefer solo or smaller-group practices like Hood Dannis E Jr MD for continuity, direct access to the physician, and less institutional overhead. If you need advanced imaging (like advanced CT or MRI), a heart-failure clinic with specialized nurses, or rapid access to urgent cardiology, a large system practice may suit you better. If your condition is stable, you value a consistent one-on-one relationship with a physician, and you want to avoid large system wait times, a solo or small-group interventional cardiologist like Hood Dannis E Jr MD can be more efficient.
Who It Suits and Who It Does Not
This practice is well suited to patients with established coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, or valvular disease who need long-term medication management and periodic procedures. It works well for patients whose primary-care physician has already identified a cardiac condition and is seeking ongoing specialist oversight. It is also appropriate for patients who prefer a simpler, less institutional setting and value direct access to the same cardiologist over time. It does not suit patients who need emergency cardiac care (go to Erlanger or the nearest ED), patients with complex multi-system disease requiring intensive cardiology coordination with other specialists, or patients who benefit from a large heart-failure or arrhythmia clinic with nurse coordinators and structured program support. Very new Chattanooga residents without an established referral from a local doctor may find system-based cardiology easier to access.
What Your First Visit Involves
You will need a referral from your primary-care physician. Contact the office directly to confirm insurance acceptance and current scheduling availability. Bring a photo ID, insurance card, and any recent test results (EKGs, echocardiograms, stress tests, or imaging from other physicians). The first appointment is a consultation, during which Dr. Hood will review your cardiac history, current medications, risk factors, and any prior procedures. You will likely have an EKG done on-site. Depending on your condition, the office may order an echocardiogram or recommend cardiac catheterization at a hospital facility. Expect the visit to last 45 minutes to one hour.
Hours, Location, and Logistics
Specific office hours and parking information should be confirmed directly with the office before your visit, as these details change. The practice is located in Chattanooga and is likely to be near a hospital or medical office campus. Parking is typically free and available on-site or nearby. Call ahead if you have mobility concerns or prefer accessible parking.
Hood Dannis E Jr MD's interventional focus and solo-practice setting make it a credible option for Chattanooga residents with established cardiac disease who want specialist care without the wait times of a large medical system.
