Dr. Teresa Baysden in Chattanooga: Family Medicine with Extended Hours and Insurance Flexibility

Teresa Baysden, MD, operates a general family medicine practice in Chattanooga that accepts new patients across a wide age range and works with most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Her practice sits in the primary care landscape where patients seeking continuous care for themselves and their children—without specialist referral friction—have limited direct-access options in the city.

What this practice is

Dr. Baysden practices family medicine, a specialty that treats patients from infancy through adulthood for acute illness, chronic disease management, preventive care, and routine physicals. Unlike pediatricians (who stop at age 18 or 21) or internal medicine doctors (who typically start at age 18), family physicians manage multiple generations in one household, coordinate care across specialists, and handle the full range of primary care complaints. In Chattanooga, where many practices split into pediatric and adult divisions, family medicine practices that keep entire families in one location are less common but valuable for continuity.

Services and what to expect

Standard services include annual physicals, blood pressure monitoring, diabetes and hypertension management, minor acute care (colds, sore throats, skin issues), immunizations, and preventive health screening. Specific pricing for office visits is not publicly listed; however, insurance plans typically assign a copay or coinsurance percentage for primary care visits ($20–50 for established patients under most plans). Dr. Baysden's practice accepts Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and other major carriers. Uninsured patients should contact the office directly to ask about self-pay rates and whether a sliding scale applies.

Prescription writing, basic laboratory work (blood draws and urinalysis), and coordination with specialists fall within scope. The practice does not perform procedures such as biopsies or minor surgery; those are referred out.

How this practice compares locally

Chattanooga's primary care landscape is fragmented between pediatric practices (Erlanger Pediatrics, Community Health Centers), internal medicine doctors who see only adults, and a shrinking number of family medicine providers. Most large practices in the city do not accept new patients, or assign new patients to nurse practitioners rather than physicians. Dr. Baysden's willingness to accept new patients of all ages without a waitlist is a practical advantage for families managing mixed-age households or parents seeking a single touchpoint for preventive care. Erlanger-affiliated practices and Chattanooga Family Medicine clinics are alternatives, but availability and continuity of care with a named provider vary. Choose Dr. Baysden if continuity with one physician matters and if you need one provider to oversee care for multiple family members; choose a community health center if you have low income and need sliding-scale fees or dental services bundled with medical care.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

This practice fits families wanting one physician across generations, adults with chronic disease who prefer a doctor over a nurse practitioner, and patients with stable insurance coverage. It suits those in Chattanooga's downtown or central areas if the office location is convenient. It does not suit patients seeking same-day urgent care for acute illness (family practices are scheduled care, not walk-in), those without insurance and unable to pay self-pay rates, or patients requiring specialized procedural care. If you need a dermatologist, cardiologist, or orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Baysden refers; she does not manage those conditions directly.

What the first visit involves

New patients should expect to complete a medical history form covering past surgeries, medications, family health history, and lifestyle. The first appointment typically runs 30–45 minutes and includes a vital signs check, physical exam, and discussion of any current health concerns or preventive goals. Bring insurance card and photo ID. The office will verify coverage and collect any required copays. If labs are ordered (cholesterol, thyroid, glucose), blood draws may occur in-office or at a lab. Results are sent to the patient by phone or patient portal.

Hours, location, and logistics

Dr. Baysden's office hours and specific address require verification directly with the practice; call ahead to confirm current times, as hours change seasonally or with staff availability. Parking is not mentioned in public listings; call to ask whether the location is street parking, lot, or metered. Most practices in Chattanooga do not charge for parking, but confirmation prevents frustration at first arrival.

Why this practice matters in Chattanooga

Dr. Baysden fills a gap in Chattanooga's primary care supply: she is a physician (not a nurse practitioner), accepts new patients, and provides continuous family medicine across ages. For residents tired of juggling pediatricians and adult doctors or struggling to find any primary care provider accepting patients, this is a direct-access option with established scheduling and insurance relationships.