Brian Bingham, MD in Chattanooga: Medical Oncologist Specializing in Gastrointestinal Cancers
Brian Bingham, MD is a board-certified medical oncologist with Tennessee Oncology, a multi-location practice in Chattanooga that treats solid tumors across a range of cancer types. Bingham's work focuses on gastrointestinal malignancies, including colorectal, pancreatic, and gastric cancers, making him a key referral point for patients with diagnoses in those categories. Tennessee Oncology operates through the larger Knoxville-based oncology network and serves both newly diagnosed and established cancer patients across Hamilton County and surrounding areas.
What Bingham and Tennessee Oncology Provide
Bingham combines chemotherapy administration, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy management with survivorship planning and clinical trial access. Patients work with him for initial staging consultations, treatment planning, and ongoing management during and after active therapy. The practice operates infusion centers where chemotherapy and supportive medications are delivered, separate from office consultation space. Tennessee Oncology is affiliated with Erlanger Health System and Memorial Health System, the two major hospital networks in Chattanooga, which means some treatment coordination occurs within those institutional structures and insurance panels.
Bingham himself handles consultations and treatment planning; infusions and some supportive care may be managed by oncology nurses and physician assistants under his oversight. The practice model is standard for medical oncology: patients see the oncologist for decision-making and complication management, while nursing staff handle routine infusion visits.
Services and Pricing
Chemotherapy administration through Tennessee Oncology is billed per infusion session, with costs varying by drug, dose, and duration. Specific pricing is not published online; treatment cost depends heavily on insurance coverage and the regimen chosen. New patients should ask Tennessee Oncology directly about expected out-of-pocket costs once a treatment plan is drafted, as costs differ sharply between employer plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and uninsured self-pay arrangements. The practice accepts most commercial insurances and government programs.
Consultation fees for a new oncology evaluation typically fall between $200 and $400 before insurance, but again confirmation is necessary. Tennessee Oncology can provide accurate estimates once insurance information is verified.
How Bingham Compares to Other Chattanooga Oncologists
Chattanooga's oncology landscape includes Tennessee Oncology (Bingham's practice), which is the largest group in the area, alongside Memorial Health Oncology, a smaller practice integrated with Memorial Hospital, and several solo practitioners. Bingham's specific focus on gastrointestinal cancers is relevant mainly if your diagnosis falls in that area; for breast or lung cancer, patients may find equal expertise elsewhere in the city but will not lose specialty depth by working with him given his broad training in medical oncology. Tennessee Oncology's scale and hospital affiliation provide access to tumor boards and clinical trials that solo practitioners cannot match. If a patient's insurance or hospital system affiliation ties them to Memorial Health, however, that practice may be more streamlined even if it is smaller.
Who Bingham Suits and Who It Does Not Suit
Bingham is a strong fit for newly diagnosed patients with gastrointestinal cancers who need aggressive, evidence-based treatment planning and access to clinical trials. His practice works well for patients already within Erlanger or Memorial Health's insurance networks, as coordination is direct. Established cancer survivors seeking long-term survivorship care or surveillance will benefit from his systematic approach.
Bingham is not the right choice for pediatric oncology, hematology-only issues (such as leukemia or lymphoma without solid-tumor elements), or patients whose insurance plan excludes Tennessee Oncology's billing structure. Some patients report frustration with wait times for appointments during peak treatment seasons; if rapid scheduling is essential, verifying availability before committing is important.
What the First Visit Involves
New patients should bring any recent imaging (CT scans, MRI, biopsies) and pathology reports. Bingham will take a detailed history, review your diagnosis and prior treatments, perform a physical examination, and discuss treatment options. Expect the first visit to last 60 to 90 minutes. He will explain benefits and side effects of proposed therapies, discuss clinical trials if applicable, and coordinate staging or additional testing if needed. At the end of that visit, you will have a written treatment plan and a schedule for starting therapy.
Some patients feel rushed during consultation; having a support person or taking notes helps. Insurance coverage for specific drugs is often confirmed in the days following the consultation rather than on the spot.
Hours, Parking, and Logistics
Tennessee Oncology operates in multiple locations across Chattanooga, with the main medical oncology center at 975 East 3rd Street. Hours are typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, though infusion center hours may extend slightly later. Parking is available on-site. Verify current hours and location-specific details on Tennessee Oncology's website or by phone, as scheduling and facility changes occur periodically.
Patients undergoing chemotherapy should plan to block out the full day for infusion appointments, which typically run 4 to 8 hours depending on the regimen. Bringing someone for support is common; the practice provides chairs for companions.
Brian Bingham's combination of subspecialty focus, institutional affiliation, and integration into Chattanooga's major health systems makes him a substantive choice for gastrointestinal cancer patients seeking treatment within the city, particularly those already connected to Erlanger or Memorial Health.
