MaryEllen Locher Breast Center in Chattanooga: Imaging and Biopsy Services Focused on Breast Health
Chattanooga's only dedicated breast diagnostic center, MaryEllen Locher Breast Center operates as a full-service imaging and diagnostic facility within Erlanger Health System, specializing in mammography, ultrasound, and needle-directed biopsies for both screening and diagnostic evaluation of breast concerns.
What MaryEllen Locher Breast Center actually is
The center occupies its own building on the Erlanger main campus, separate from the hospital's general radiology department. It functions as a one-stop facility where patients move through imaging, consultation with a breast radiologist, and—when needed—biopsy in the same location, rather than being referred elsewhere for biopsies or additional procedures. This consolidation matters for Chattanooga patients; other local radiology groups perform breast imaging but do not handle biopsies on-site, requiring a second facility visit and coordination between providers.
The center serves a mix of screening mammograms (routine, low-risk patients) and diagnostic cases (women with imaging abnormalities, palpable lumps, or symptoms requiring workup). It is not a surgical center; patients needing surgery after biopsy are referred to Erlanger's surgical oncology or breast surgery teams, or to other surgeons of their choice.
Services and pricing
MaryEllen Locher offers:
2D and 3D mammography for screening and diagnostic imaging
Ultrasound for further evaluation of mammographic findings or palpable concerns
Image-guided needle biopsies (stereotactic, ultrasound-guided, or MRI-guided) for tissue sampling when imaging shows suspicious findings
Pricing is set by Erlanger Health System and tied to insurance classification. For insured patients, copays and coinsurance depend on plan terms; self-pay patients should verify current cash rates with the center directly. Mammography screening typically costs $150–$250 self-pay before any additional imaging, though the center accepts most major insurance plans and applies financial assistance programs for qualifying patients. Biopsies are a separate charge, often $800–$2,000 depending on the technique; confirm with the center or Erlanger's billing department for your plan or self-pay rate.
How it compares to other Chattanooga diagnostic options
In Chattanooga, women can obtain mammography and ultrasound through:
Erlanger imaging departments (the main hospital has a general radiology section that performs mammograms, but not biopsies in-house).
Private radiology groups such as those affiliated with Parkridge or independent practices, which offer mammography and may refer for biopsies at a hospital or surgical center.
Skyridge Medical Center (part of Amedisys), which offers breast imaging but similarly refers biopsies to outside facilities.
The key difference is that MaryEllen Locher combines imaging and biopsy under one roof and one radiologist's continuity, reducing wait time between diagnosis and tissue sampling and eliminating coordination between separate providers. For patients simply needing an annual screening mammogram with no prior abnormality, the choice between MaryEllen Locher and a general radiology department is often a matter of scheduling and insurance; the screening quality is similar. For women with an imaging abnormality requiring biopsy, MaryEllen Locher's in-house biopsy capability avoids a second facility visit.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
MaryEllen Locher is a good fit for:
- Patients with prior mammographic abnormality, architectural distortion, or asymmetry needing biopsy
- Screening patients who value biopsy capability on-site if an abnormality is found
- Women referred by their primary care doctor or gynecologist for diagnostic imaging of a palpable lump or symptom
It is less ideal for:
- Patients seeking only basic screening mammography and willing to wait weeks for any follow-up; a general radiology clinic may have more readily available screening slots
- Women needing breast MRI (MRI is typically housed in the main hospital's imaging suite, not at the breast center)
- Patients requiring surgical consultation before biopsy; some prefer to meet their surgeon first, in which case a hospital-based imaging center with surgical oncology down the hall may be preferable
What the first visit involves
Screening patients should bring insurance card and arrive 10–15 minutes early. A technologist acquires mammogram images. If nothing suspicious appears, results are mailed and the visit ends.
Diagnostic visits for a known abnormality follow the same imaging process but are followed by radiologist consultation. If imaging is inconclusive or shows a suspicious finding, the radiologist discusses options: ultrasound, biopsy, or short-term follow-up imaging. If biopsy is recommended and the patient consents, it is often performed on the same day (ultrasound-guided or stereotactic biopsy) or scheduled within days. Patients should plan 1.5 to 2 hours for a diagnostic visit that includes biopsy; screening usually takes 30–45 minutes.
Hours, parking, and logistics
MaryEllen Locher operates Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday morning hours are available for screening. Verify current hours before scheduling, as clinical hours occasionally adjust. The center is located on the Erlanger main campus at 975 East 3rd Street, with dedicated surface parking. Patients should allow 15 minutes to locate parking and walk to the breast center entrance. Parking validation is provided by Erlanger; ask the front desk. There is no after-hours or weekend biopsy service.
Insurance is accepted through Erlanger's network agreements; most major Tennessee plans include Erlanger in-network. Call the center to verify your plan before scheduling, or confirm on the Erlanger website.
MaryEllen Locher's dedicated focus and biopsy capability give Chattanooga patients a regional standard for consolidated breast diagnostic care, reducing the fragmentation common in smaller markets where imaging and biopsy are split across providers.
