Memorial Hospital Atrium Imaging Center in Chattanooga: Advanced Imaging for Scheduled Diagnostics
Memorial Hospital Atrium Imaging Center is a diagnostic imaging facility operated by Memorial Health System that handles scheduled CT, MRI, ultrasound, X-ray, and mammography scans for patients across Hamilton County. It sits within Chattanooga's largest hospital network and functions as a dedicated outpatient imaging venue, separate from the main Memorial Hospital emergency department on East Third Street.
What the center actually is
The Atrium Imaging Center operates as Memorial Health System's primary scheduling hub for non-emergency, outpatient imaging studies. The facility does not handle walk-in cases or acute trauma imaging; it accepts referrals from physicians and direct self-referrals for preventive screening. It is located on the Erlanger-affiliated Memorial Hospital campus in downtown Chattanooga and functions alongside—but separately from—the main hospital's emergency radiology services. The center completes the imaging pipeline for patients whose doctors need diagnostic images before treatment planning or for follow-up monitoring after care.
Services and typical pricing
The center provides five core imaging modalities. CT (computed tomography) scans for chest, abdomen, pelvis, head, and trauma work. MRI studies for soft tissue, spine, joint, and neurological evaluation. Ultrasound for obstetric, abdominal, vascular, and musculoskeletal imaging. Radiography (X-ray) for chest, extremity, and spine. Mammography for breast cancer screening and diagnostic work.
Out-of-pocket costs depend on insurance coverage and deductible status. For uninsured patients, a basic chest X-ray typically costs $150 to $250. CT scans range from $400 to $1,200 depending on the body region and whether contrast dye is used. MRI scans, the most expensive study type, run $800 to $2,000. Ultrasound studies fall between $300 and $600. These are Memorial Health System's cash prices; actual out-of-pocket cost after insurance varies widely. Verify current pricing with the scheduling line before booking, as imaging fees fluctuate with facility overhead and technology updates.
How it compares to other Chattanooga imaging options
Chattanooga has three primary routes for diagnostic imaging: hospital-based centers (Memorial Hospital Atrium and the UT Chattanooga/Erlanger imaging network), independent freestanding imaging clinics, and urgent care centers with limited imaging capacity.
Memorial Hospital Atrium sits within the Erlanger/Memorial Health System, which means referral coordination is streamlined if you are already a patient of those hospitals or their physicians. Erlanger Baroness Imaging Center offers comparable modalities and sits in East Brainerd; many patients choose Erlanger if their primary care is within that network. Both systems accept most major commercial and government insurance.
Independent imaging centers like imaging clinics at minor urgent care franchises typically handle only X-ray and ultrasound; they do not offer CT or MRI in-house, which limits their utility for complex diagnostic questions. If you need CT or MRI and your doctor refers to an independent center, your scan will be routed to a hospital facility anyway, adding a step.
Choose Memorial Hospital Atrium if your physician is affiliated with Memorial or Erlanger, or if you live or work downtown and prefer a single-system referral loop. Choose Erlanger Baroness if your primary care is within the Erlanger network or if you live farther east. Both are equivalent in imaging quality; the choice hinges on insurance network and geographic convenience.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
The center suits patients with a physician referral, a scheduled appointment, and insurance or means to pay. It is ideal for follow-up imaging after diagnosis (monitoring a known fracture, tracking tumor size, assessing post-surgical healing) and preventive screening (annual mammography, routine chest X-rays before surgery). It also suits patients who need quality imaging quickly: appointment availability is often 1 to 7 days, depending on modality.
It does not suit patients seeking walk-in imaging or same-day emergency scans. It does not handle trauma or acute presentations; those go to Memorial Hospital's main ER and its on-site radiology. It is not appropriate for uninsured patients who cannot afford cash pricing or arrange a payment plan in advance.
What the first visit involves
Schedule your appointment by calling the imaging center or asking your referring physician's office to submit the order. You will be asked insurance information, current medications, and whether you have any metal implants, pacemakers, or kidney disease (relevant for MRI and contrast use). Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to check in. A technologist will confirm the exam type, answer safety questions, position you for the scan, and leave the room during imaging. The entire appointment typically takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on which study is ordered. You will not receive results immediately; a radiologist interprets the images within 24 to 48 hours, and results are sent to your referring physician and made available online through Memorial's patient portal.
Hours, parking, and logistics
The Atrium Imaging Center operates Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with limited Saturday hours (verify current Saturday availability at scheduling). It is located on Memorial Hospital's main downtown campus, which has free parking in attached and adjacent decks; allow extra time on your first visit to locate the imaging entrance and park. The address and main scheduling phone number are available through Memorial Health System's website. There is no public transportation stop directly adjacent; if you do not drive, plan for a short walk or arrange a drop-off.
Memorial Hospital Atrium Imaging Center fills a necessary role in Chattanooga's diagnostic infrastructure, offering fast scheduling and integrated referral handling within Tennessee's largest hospital network. It is reliable for routine imaging but not a substitute for emergency radiology or walk-in capability.
