Dr. Michael Ozborn in Chattanooga: Internal Medicine for New and Established Patients

Dr. Michael Ozborn runs a private internal medicine practice in Chattanooga that accepts new patients and handles preventive care, chronic disease management, and acute illness in an office-based setting. His practice operates independently rather than as part of a hospital system, which affects scheduling flexibility and how referrals flow to specialists.

What the practice actually is

Internal medicine physicians like Dr. Ozborn diagnose and manage diseases of the heart, lungs, digestive system, kidneys, and blood, plus address metabolic and hormonal conditions. Unlike family medicine practices that treat all ages, internal medicine focuses on adult patients. Unlike specialists, internists manage multiple conditions in one patient and often serve as the care coordinator between specialists. Dr. Ozborn's practice operates as an office-based independent practice, meaning no waiting list tied to a hospital system's volume and no automated referral workflows that some larger medical centers offer.

Services and what to expect

The practice handles routine physicals, blood pressure monitoring, diabetes management, thyroid disorders, lipid management, and upper-respiratory and urinary tract infections. Dr. Ozborn also manages chronic conditions like hypertension and COPD in patients who have already been diagnosed and need ongoing monitoring. The practice does not handle emergency procedures, imaging interpretation, or surgical consultation; those are referred out. Office visits typically run 20 to 30 minutes for follow-up appointments and longer for new-patient evaluations. Most insurance plans are accepted, but specific coverage and copay amounts vary by plan and should be confirmed when scheduling. No pricing is published for self-pay patients; call the office to ask about cash rates for uninsured patients or for services not covered by insurance.

How Dr. Ozborn's practice compares locally

Chattanooga's internal medicine landscape includes both independent practitioners and larger medical groups affiliated with Erlanger Health, Parkridge Health, and CHI Memorial. Choosing an independent practice like Dr. Ozborn's means shorter wait times for appointments (typically one to three weeks versus four to eight weeks for hospital-system physicians) and more direct access to the same doctor each visit. The trade-off is that an independent practice does not have in-house imaging, lab results displayed in a shared electronic system, or standing referral relationships with specialists. If your care requires frequent specialist input or same-day lab work, a hospital-affiliated practice such as those within Erlanger's internal medicine network may reduce the coordination burden on you. If you value continuity, shorter scheduling windows, and a solo physician who knows your case, Dr. Ozborn's independent model suits that preference.

Who this practice suits and who it doesn't

This practice works well for established adults who need a primary-care physician for routine checkups, management of stable chronic conditions, and minor acute illness. It suits people who have insurance and can navigate a private office environment without same-day urgent scheduling. It does not suit patients without a car (no public transit stop near most independent practices), those who need frequent unscheduled visits (the practice operates during standard office hours, not evenings or weekends), or patients with complex acute illness or multiple emergency department visits. Patients with newly diagnosed serious conditions may find a hospital-affiliated practice faster for coordinating emergency workup.

The first visit

New patients should bring insurance cards, photo ID, and a list of current medications and allergies. The first appointment typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour and includes a medical history, physical exam, baseline blood pressure, and often baseline blood work (lipid panel, glucose, kidney function, CBC). Dr. Ozborn will ask about family history, smoking, alcohol use, exercise, and diet. Insurance verification is requested at check-in. If you are switching from another doctor, request your medical records be sent to the practice in advance to avoid repeating tests.

Hours, parking, and logistics

The practice operates during typical office hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break. Parking is on-site. Confirm current hours before your first visit, as practices sometimes adjust schedules seasonally. The office accepts new patients on a rolling basis; appointment availability runs two to four weeks out for routine visits. Patients can reach the office by phone to schedule; online booking is not available.

Dr. Ozborn's practice fills a gap for Chattanooga patients who prefer a solo internist with short lead times and direct access over the referral volume and system integration of larger medical groups.