Galen East Internal Medicine and Pediatrics is comprised of nine physicians, one physician assistant, and one nurse practitioner. Four physicians specialize in all aspects of both adult medicine and pediatrics, five physicians specialize in pediatrics only, and our two mid-level providers specialize in internal medicine only. Our staff knows the importance of good health from birth through the end of life. Our desire is to treat illnesses as well as help prevent them.
Our physicians believe in and support the importance of immunizing children according to the American Academy of Pediatrics immunization schedule as they feel this is the best way to protect our children from serious illness or death from vaccine preventable diseases. For this reason, parents who refuse to immunize their children according to the AAP schedule will not be accepted into our practice.
1651 Gunbarrel Road, Suite 302
Chattanooga, TN 37421
For information on the after-hours clinic click the button below.
Specialist in Family Medicine
Specialist in Family Medicine
Specialist in Family Medicine
Specialist in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
Specialist in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
Specialist in Pediatrics
Our primary care physicians specializing in internal medicine, a discipline focused on the care of adults emphasizing use of the best medical science available in caring for patients in the context of thoughtful, meaningful doctor-patient relationships.
Our providers are equipped to handle a broad and comprehensive spectrum of illnesses that affect adults, and are recognized as experts in diagnosis, in treatment of chronic illness, and in health promotion and disease prevention—they are not limited to one type of medical problem or organ system. Whatever medical concern a patient brings—no matter how common or rare, or how simple or complex we are specially trained to solve puzzling diagnostic problems and can handle severe chronic illnesses and situations where several different illnesses may strike at the same time.
Our pediatricians specialize in the care of children newborn through 18 years of age. They provide guidance for the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of children at every stage of development, as well as diagnosis and treat acute illness. Our physicians believe in and support the importance of immunizing children according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) immunization schedule as they feel this is the best way to protect our children from serious illness or death from vaccine preventable diseases.
Our goal is to promote healthy lifestyles, and reduce infant and child illness. From an early age we encourage children to be active participants in their health. Our pediatricians strive to earn the trust of both parent and child while providing evidence-based treatment in a caring, comfortable, convenient, and cost-effective setting.
What is a wellness exam?
An annual wellness exam is a comprehensive preventive exam with your primary care physician for the sole purpose of preventive care. An annual exam does not include discussion of new problems or detailed review of chronic conditions. An annual exam may also be called a routine check-up, yearly exam, annual pap, or preventive visit.
Will my insurance pay for a wellness exam?
Most health plans will pay for one wellness or preventive exam per year. Your insurance provider may consider this to be (1) once per calendar year or (2) or once every 366 days from the date of your last wellness exam.
If you have had any other visit billed as preventive during this time period your plan is likely to deny your wellness exam. This would include a well-woman exam or annual pap smear. Your plan may not pay for all testing and/or labs ordered during your wellness exam. If your provider has a concern and orders diagnostic testing and/or labs during your exam you may be financially responsible.
It is the patient’s responsibility to check with their insurance provider to see what is covered under their wellness benefit, and to ensure they are eligible prior to scheduling their annual wellness exam.
What is the difference between a wellness exam and a problem visit?
Preventive visits and tests ordered by your provider can help you stay healthy and catch problems early. Diagnostic visits and testing are used to diagnose a current health problem. Diagnostic tests are ordered by your provider when you have symptoms and they want to find out why. For example, your provider might want you to have a test because of your age or family history, that’s preventive care, but if it’s because you’re having symptoms or a problem, that is diagnostic care.
Can I have a wellness exam and problem visit at the same time?
The answer is Yes, but not preferred. It is possible to address a problem at a wellness exam, however, it is not the preferred method. A wellness exam is a comprehensive review of systems, medications, past and current medical history, health risk assessment, and preventive testing for potential risks. Wellness exams typically do not require a copay, and, many times, may be covered at 100% (this, of course, is dependent on your insurance plan). When you combine a problem visit with the wellness exam you are billed for both a wellness visit, and a problem visit; which may then require a copay, or have the charges applied to your deductible. For this reason, we ask that you please schedule a separate appointment, on a different day, if you have any new concerns or ongoing health problems that need more attention.
Preventive medicine is practiced by all physicians to keep their patients healthy. It is also a unique medical specialty recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Preventive medicine focuses on the health of individuals, communities, and defined populations. Its goal is to protect, promote, and maintain health and well-being and to prevent disease, disability, and death.
Preventive medicine specialists are licensed medical doctors (MD) or doctors of osteopathy (DO), who possess core competencies in biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental and occupational medicine, planning and evaluation of health services, management of health care organizations, research into causes of disease and injury in population groups, and the practice of prevention in clinical medicine. They apply knowledge and skills gained from the medical, social, economic, and behavioral sciences.
Our experienced group of providers apply a modern approach and a caring touch to provide you with the highest quality health care in the Chattanooga region.
