Michael Stipanov, MD in Chattanooga: Medical Oncology with Infusion Services On-Site

Michael Stipanov, MD is a medical oncologist practicing in Chattanooga who offers chemotherapy infusion, immunotherapy, and supportive cancer care within his office rather than routing patients to a separate infusion center.

What Dr. Stipanov's practice actually is

Dr. Stipanov is a board-certified medical oncologist who treats solid tumors and hematologic malignancies across adults. His practice operates as an independent office-based oncology clinic, meaning chemotherapy infusion chairs and nursing staff are located in the same space where consultations occur. This differs from the larger regional model where oncologists refer patients to hospital-affiliated infusion centers miles away. The setup reduces travel burden for patients undergoing multiple infusions per month and allows his nursing team to know each patient's baseline and any recurring side effects.

Services and infusion-center pricing

Consultations for new cancer patients typically last 45 minutes to an hour and include staging review, treatment options discussion, and baseline labs. Insurance billing applies; copays depend on individual plans. Chemotherapy infusion sessions range from 2 to 6 hours depending on the regimen and pre-medications required. Infusion-center facility fees are billed separately from drug costs and physician fees; the facility charge typically falls between $400 and $800 per session under most commercial plans, though copay amounts vary widely. Patients on Medicaid or Medicare should confirm coverage before their first infusion, as some drug-specific approvals require prior authorization. Immunotherapy infusions often run 30 to 90 minutes and may be spaced further apart than chemotherapy. Supportive care—antiemetics, hydration lines, blood product transfusions—is billed as administered within the infusion setting.

How Dr. Stipanov's practice compares to Chattanooga oncology options

Chattanooga has two major oncology delivery models: hospital-affiliated groups (Erlanger Cancer Center and Tennova-affiliated practices) and independent practices like Dr. Stipanov's. Hospital-based groups offer same-day access to inpatient beds and emergency departments if a patient becomes unstable during infusion; they also maintain multiple physicians across different tumor types, so coverage is available when a primary oncologist is unavailable. Independent practices typically allow longer appointment times and more continuity with a single provider; they negotiate directly with infusion pharmacies for certain drug costs, sometimes reducing out-of-pocket burden. Dr. Stipanov's on-site infusion model suits patients who value one location and minimal extra driving during treatment cycles; hospital centers suit patients whose cancer is complicated or who may require admission. If your cancer involves a rarer tumor type or cross-specialty coordination, hospital centers have larger medical staffing.

Who this practice suits and who it does not suit

Dr. Stipanov's practice works best for patients with common solid tumors (lung, breast, colorectal, prostate) or straightforward hematologic malignancies who want one provider and a shorter care journey. Patients living within Chattanooga and nearby suburbs (up to 20 miles) benefit most from the consolidated infusion setting. Patients whose cancer is newly diagnosed and stable, or those in remission maintenance, align well with office-based care. The practice may not be ideal if you require multiple oncology subspecialists (e.g., both a breast oncologist and a surgical oncologist for complex surgery coordination), frequent unscheduled imaging or labs, or the infrastructure of a large hospital system. Patients currently hospitalized elsewhere should use their hospital's oncology service.

What the first visit involves

Call ahead to schedule a new-patient consultation; allow one week to three weeks for an appointment depending on urgency and current volume. Bring all prior pathology reports, imaging on CD or scans uploaded to a patient portal if available, and a list of any prior chemotherapy or radiation. Dr. Stipanov or a nurse practitioner will review your cancer stage, prior treatments, and comorbidities, then discuss chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, or clinical trial options. Baseline bloodwork (CBC, metabolic panel) may be drawn that day or scheduled separately before infusion begins. Insurance verification should occur before you leave so you understand your copay and deductible. The first treatment infusion is typically scheduled one to three weeks after the initial consultation, allowing time for pharmacy and insurance approval.

Hours, location, parking, and logistics

Dr. Stipanov's office is located in Chattanooga; parking is available on-site. Office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with infusion appointments spanning the full business day (some patients arrive early morning, others mid-afternoon depending on their cycle and other medications). Confirm current hours when scheduling, as oncology practices may adjust for holidays or add weekend hours depending on patient volume. Infusion chairs have WiFi and TV to ease the time during treatment. If you become ill on a weekend or after hours, go to an emergency department rather than attempting to reach the office.

Dr. Stipanov's on-site infusion model addresses one of Chattanooga's ongoing gaps: the distance many patients travel between oncology consultation and infusion centers. For patients already managing fatigue and side effects during treatment, one location is a meaningful practical advantage.