Alan F. Shikoh MD in Chattanooga: Gastroenterology with Board Certification and Direct Hospital Access
Alan F. Shikoh MD, PC operates as an independent gastroenterology practice in Chattanooga, offering diagnostic and therapeutic services centered on gastrointestinal disorders. Shikoh is a board-certified gastroenterologist working within the broader Chattanooga medical landscape where gastroenterology services are distributed across hospital-affiliated practices and independent offices, making referral and scheduling logistics material to care continuity.
What Shikoh's Practice Actually Is
Shikoh maintains a solo practice model rather than a large health system gastroenterology department. Board certification in gastroenterology, internal medicine, and hepatology indicates training in endoscopy, colonoscopy, management of inflammatory bowel disease, liver conditions, and functional gastrointestinal disorders. The "PC" structure (Professional Corporation) means Shikoh owns the practice directly, which typically simplifies direct patient billing and may affect insurance negotiation and office autonomy compared to employed physicians within Erlanger Health System or Parkridge Health System operations.
Services, Procedures, and What to Expect for Cost
Gastroenterology practices in Chattanooga bill for office consultations, diagnostic endoscopy (upper endoscopy, colonoscopy), and therapeutic procedures (biopsies, polyp removal, stent placement). Office consultation copays run $25 to $50 depending on insurance plan; colonoscopy and upper endoscopy are typically covered under preventive screening (no cost-share) when medically necessary colonoscopy meets federal screening guidelines, or subject to a copay or coinsurance ($500 to $2,000 out-of-pocket for facility and physician fees combined) if not preventive. Since Shikoh operates independently, verify whether the office is in-network for your specific plan and whether procedures are performed at an affiliated surgical center or hospital (Erlanger, Parkridge, or other facilities). Exact fees and facility arrangements should be confirmed directly with the office.
How Shikoh Compares to Other Chattanooga Gastroenterology Options
Chattanooga's gastroenterology market includes hospital-affiliated practices (Erlanger Digestive Disease Center, Parkridge gastroenterology clinics) and independent practitioners. Hospital-affiliated practices offer the convenience of integrated scheduling with imaging and lab services, and often operate longer hours across multiple locations; Shikoh's independent status means patients coordinate separately with outside facilities for endoscopy suites, but may benefit from reduced administrative overhead and direct relationships with a single physician. If you change insurance plans frequently or need continuity with one provider over time, an independent practice minimizes system-switching; if you prioritize seamless scheduling across a network of clinics and urgent-access protocols within a single health system, hospital-affiliated alternatives may be faster.
Who Shikoh Suits and Who Should Look Elsewhere
Shikoh's practice is appropriate for adults with established gastrointestinal conditions (reflux, IBD, colon cancer screening, liver disease) seeking ongoing management with a board-certified specialist, and for patients referred by primary-care physicians in Chattanooga. Patients without a referral who need same-day or walk-in gastroenterology care should contact urgent care or seek hospital-affiliated practices that maintain open-access clinic slots; pediatric gastroenterology is not typically provided by general adult gastroenterologists and requires referral to pediatric specialists (usually outside Chattanooga). Patients unable to coordinate with external endoscopy facilities or who strongly prefer all services under one hospital roof should compare Erlanger or Parkridge gastroenterology clinics.
The First Visit: What Happens
New patients should expect an office consultation where Shikoh takes a detailed history of gastrointestinal symptoms, reviews prior imaging or test results, and performs a physical exam. If colonoscopy or upper endoscopy is indicated, scheduling occurs separately with the endoscopy facility (not necessarily in the same office); the practice may offer a pre-procedure phone visit or send instructions directly. Insurance verification and copay collection occur at intake. Bring a list of current medications, prior surgical reports, and insurance card and photo ID to the first visit.
Hours, Parking, and Logistics
Verify current office hours directly with Shikoh MD, PC, as independent practices often operate Monday through Friday during standard business hours (typically 8 AM to 5 PM, with reduced hours on select days) and do not staff weekend clinics. Parking is typically available on-site or nearby at the office location; call ahead if mobility access is required. Gastroenterology procedures are not performed in the office itself, so anticipate referral to an endoscopy center or hospital facility with associated pre-clearance labs and transportation home (sedation is used for most procedures, so arranging a driver is necessary).
Alan Shikoh's board-certified, independent practice serves Chattanooga patients who value continuity with a single gastroenterologist and are comfortable coordinating separately with endoscopy facilities, and complements the hospital-affiliated gastroenterology networks for patients who prioritize integrated health system logistics.
