Dr. Jerrold L. Selzer in Chattanooga: Internal Medicine with Focus on Chronic Disease Management

Jerrold L. Selzer, MD, is an internist in Chattanooga who manages adult patients with complex, long-term conditions including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and thyroid disorders. He operates as a solo practitioner or small-group office, meaning no hospital-based system intermediary sits between you and your medical care, and appointment slots often fill based on direct request rather than through a centralized scheduling portal.

What Dr. Selzer's practice actually is

This is continuous primary care for adults, not episodic or urgent-visit based. Internal medicine doctors like Selzer manage chronic illness day-to-day, adjust medications as blood pressure or glucose levels shift, coordinate with specialists when you need a cardiologist or endocrinologist, and handle preventive screening (cancer screenings, cardiovascular risk assessment, vaccination). The practice is not a walk-in urgent care; it requires an appointment and operates within standard office hours. It is not a retail clinic in a pharmacy or big-box store. It sits in Chattanooga's private primary-care landscape, which includes both independent internists and those affiliated with Erlanger Health System or Parkridge Health System.

Services and what to expect from new-patient intake

Dr. Selzer's office typically handles initial comprehensive evaluation (usually 45 to 60 minutes), which covers medical history, medication review, physical exam, and baseline lab work (blood count, metabolic panel, lipid profile). Established patients generally see him for follow-up visits, medication adjustments, management of acute flare-ups within chronic conditions (for example, blood-pressure control during stress or poorly managed diabetes), and coordination of referrals to specialists. The office orders routine imaging and testing and discusses results at follow-up visits. Hospital admissions or emergency conditions go to an emergency department; he does not handle in-office procedures such as joint injections or minor surgery.

Pricing varies by insurance. If you have commercial insurance (BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, United Healthcare, Cigna, Aetna), expect a copay of $25 to $50 for an established-patient visit, $50 to $150 for a new-patient visit, depending on your plan. Lab work and imaging costs depend on your deductible and coinsurance. Medicare patients pay 20 percent coinsurance after meeting their annual deductible. Uninsured self-pay typically ranges from $150 to $300 for an initial visit and $100 to $150 for follow-ups, though the office may offer a discount for same-day cash payment; confirm this directly. Many insurers cover preventive visits (annual wellness exam, screening labs) at no copay if the visit stays within preventive scope.

How Selzer compares to other Chattanooga internists

Chattanooga has two overlapping markets: independent practices and system-affiliated doctors. Independent internists like Selzer usually have longer appointment availability windows (you may wait 2 to 4 weeks for a non-urgent visit) but offer more flexibility in visit length and decision-making. They do not have electronic health record interoperability with major hospital systems unless they manually request records, which can delay specialist coordination. System-affiliated internists (those employed by Erlanger or Parkridge) have immediate EHR access to hospital records, specialist notes, and lab results across their network, reducing redundant testing and speeding referral processes. System practices also have on-campus urgent-care options if you need same-day attention, whereas independent practices typically refer you to a standalone urgent care clinic.

For established Chattanooga residents with stable chronic conditions and no frequent specialist involvement, an independent internist like Selzer often provides more personalized, unhurried care. For patients with multiple comorbidities, recent hospitalizations, or frequent specialist visits, system-affiliated care (Erlanger's internal medicine division or Parkridge's primary-care clinics) may reduce coordination friction. Both models accept major insurances and Medicare.

Who this practice suits and who it does not

Dr. Selzer's practice is best for adults with one or more chronic conditions (diabetes, hypertension, COPD, heart disease, thyroid disease, arthritis) who want ongoing medication management and preventive care from a single trusted doctor. It suits patients who value relationship continuity and longer, less-rushed visits. It suits those who have insurance (commercial, Medicare, or a stable self-pay arrangement), because uninsured walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

It does not suit patients who need same-day or walk-in care; use an urgent care clinic for acute illness or minor injury. It does not suit those seeking rapid specialist referral through an integrated EHR system; coordination is slower in a non-system practice. It is not appropriate for pediatric care, psychiatric conditions, or obstetrics.

What the first visit involves

Contact the office by phone to schedule; most internist offices in Chattanooga do not accept online booking. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to complete a new-patient intake form (medical history, current medications, allergies, family history, social history including smoking and alcohol use). Bring your insurance card and photo ID. The doctor will spend 45 to 60 minutes reviewing your history, performing a physical exam, listening to your main concerns, and ordering baseline labs (blood work, urinalysis) if indicated. He will discuss findings, establish medication adjustments if needed, and schedule a follow-up in 2 to 4 weeks to review lab results and refine the care plan. If you have recent medical records from another doctor, bring them or have them faxed to the office beforehand.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, with a lunch break from noon to 1 PM. The office is located in Chattanooga (call ahead to confirm the specific address and whether it has changed). Parking is usually on-street or a small adjacent lot; it is not valet or garage parking. The office does not have extended evening or Saturday hours. Dr. Selzer is not available for same-day urgent issues; after-hours calls are directed to an answering service or urgent-care referral. If you need urgent evaluation outside office hours, go to an urgent care clinic or emergency department.

Dr. Selzer's practice fills a common gap in Chattanooga's primary-care landscape: independent, relationship-based internal medicine without the efficiency tools of system affiliation. For patients with complex chronic illness who prioritize continuity and time with their doctor, this model works well.