Women's Diagnostic Center in Chattanooga: Imaging for Gynecologic Health
Women's Diagnostic Center is a freestanding imaging facility in Chattanooga that specializes in ultrasound and mammography focused on women's reproductive, breast, and pelvic health. It operates independently of a hospital system and accepts most insurance plans, positioning itself as an alternative to hospital-based imaging departments for routine gynecologic and breast screening when physician referral is required.
What Women's Diagnostic Center actually is
The center functions as an outpatient diagnostic imaging clinic serving women seeking or referred for ultrasound and mammography. Unlike a general diagnostic imaging center, it does not offer CT, MRI, or X-ray services; its scope is limited to specialty imaging relevant to gynecology, obstetrics, and breast health. The clinic handles both routine screening exams (annual mammograms, pelvic ultrasounds) and problem-focused studies (evaluation of pelvic pain, breast lumps, or abnormal lab findings). It operates with sonographers and mammography technologists on staff and radiologists who interpret images and generate reports sent to referring physicians.
Services and pricing
Women's Diagnostic Center provides three primary services:
Mammography (screening and diagnostic): Screening mammograms for routine breast cancer screening typically cost $150 to $250 out of pocket for uninsured patients; most insurance plans cover screening mammograms at no cost to the patient under preventive care. Diagnostic mammograms (ordered when a woman has breast symptoms or an abnormal finding) range from $200 to $350 uninsured, depending on number of views.
Pelvic ultrasound: Transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasound for pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or ovarian cyst follow-up ranges from $200 to $400 uninsured; insured patients typically pay a copay ($20 to $50) and coinsurance based on their plan.
Obstetric ultrasound: Limited obstetric ultrasounds (not a full-service OB imaging center) are available for dating scans and specific anatomic questions; pricing follows the same range as pelvic ultrasound.
Prices listed above reflect typical 2024 ranges; confirm current costs and insurance participation when scheduling. The center does not perform ultrasound-guided procedures (biopsies, aspirations) and does not offer 3D mammography; both of these services require referral to a hospital imaging department.
How it compares to other Chattanooga diagnostic imaging options
Chattanooga has two main pathways for women's diagnostic imaging: freestanding centers like Women's Diagnostic Center and hospital-based imaging departments at Erlanger and CHI Memorial, both of which offer comprehensive imaging including mammography, ultrasound, and advanced modalities.
Choose Women's Diagnostic Center if you are seeking routine screening mammography, follow-up pelvic ultrasound, or a straightforward gynecologic imaging study with typically shorter wait times (same-week appointments common) and a facility designed specifically for women's imaging. The center avoids the overhead and scheduling complexity of a hospital-based department.
Choose a hospital-based imaging department (Erlanger or CHI Memorial) if your physician has ordered a diagnostic mammogram combined with ultrasound and possible intervention (biopsy), if advanced imaging (MRI breast, specialized ultrasound techniques) is medically necessary, or if your referral specifies the hospital system. Hospital departments also serve unscheduled urgent imaging needs (ruptured ovarian cyst, acute pelvic pain workup).
For routine screening, the center's dedicated focus, faster access, and lower negotiated copays make it the practical first choice for many Chattanooga women with insurance. For complex or urgent cases, hospital imaging is more appropriate.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
This center suits women with established physicians who can provide a referral, those covered by insurance (the center accepts most major plans), and those seeking routine or follow-up imaging studies without urgency. It works well for women over 40 seeking annual screening mammography and those with pelvic symptoms requiring first-line ultrasound evaluation.
The center does not suit uninsured patients without financial assistance programs (call ahead to ask about sliding scale or cash-pay discounts, which are not published online), women without a physician referral (most insurance plans require referral for imaging), women with urgent or emergency symptoms requiring same-day imaging, and those with complex cases better suited to hospital-level imaging and potential intervention.
What the first visit involves
Call to schedule. Most visits require a current physician referral; confirm this when booking. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to complete registration and insurance verification. For mammography, expect 15 to 20 minutes in the facility. For ultrasound, allow 20 to 30 minutes. A technologist will perform the exam, and a radiologist will interpret the images. A written report is mailed to the referring physician within 2 to 3 business days; ask about patient portal access or request a copy for your records. Most results are communicated by your physician's office, not the imaging center, so follow up with your doctor if you do not hear within one week.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Women's Diagnostic Center is located in East Chattanooga and operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed weekends and major holidays. Parking is on-site and free. The facility is not accessible by public transit. Verify current hours at scheduling, as seasonal or staffing changes can occur.
Women's Diagnostic Center fills a gap for Chattanooga women seeking fast, focused imaging for common gynecologic and breast health questions without the wait and complexity of a hospital imaging department.
