Tennessee ranks among the 11 states with the highest chronic obstructive pulmonary disease prevalence in the country, according to the American Lung Association’s COPD State Briefs developed with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Roughly 6% of Tennessee adults carry a COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis diagnosis, and the state’s adult smoking rate continues to outpace the national average, compounding the demand for specialized respiratory care. Seven of the highest-prevalence states cluster along the Ohio and lower Mississippi river corridors, and Tennessee’s geography places it squarely within that region (NHLBI, 2023). Beyond COPD, pulmonologists in the state treat conditions ranging from asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and lung nodules to sleep-disordered breathing and pulmonary hypertension.
The Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners, housed under the Tennessee Department of Health, licenses and oversees all physicians practicing in the state. Pulmonologists must hold a valid Tennessee medical license and maintain board certification in pulmonary disease, with most also certified in critical care medicine or sleep medicine. The Board requires 40 hours of continuing medical education every two years, including 2 mandatory hours in controlled substance prescribing. Tennessee participates in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which includes more than 40 member states, allowing qualified physicians to obtain expedited licenses across state lines. Despite this pathway, a projected shortage of approximately 6,000 physicians statewide by 2030 means that access to pulmonary specialists can be limited in rural counties, particularly in areas east of the Cumberland Plateau and across West Tennessee.
When selecting a pulmonologist, verify the physician’s active license through the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners’ online verification portal at tn.gov/health. Board certification in pulmonary disease through the American Board of Internal Medicine confirms that a physician has completed fellowship training and passed rigorous specialty examinations. Patients with suspected sleep disorders should confirm that the practice operates an accredited sleep lab or partners with one, since sleep studies require specific equipment and trained technicians. For complex conditions such as pulmonary hypertension, look for practices that hold accreditation from the Pulmonary Hypertension Association as a certified center of excellence. Insurance acceptance varies widely among Tennessee pulmonology offices, so confirm coverage and referral requirements before scheduling, especially for TennCare participants whose networks may be narrower than commercial plan networks.
Top Pulmonologist Providers in Tennessee
1. The Frist Clinic
- Address: 330 23rd Ave N, Suite 500, Nashville, TN 37203
- Phone: (615) 342-5900
- Website: https://thefristclinic.com
- Rating: 4.9/5 (181 reviews)
- Services: pulmonary disease diagnosis and management, COPD treatment, asthma care, lung cancer evaluation, sleep studies, critical care medicine, pulmonary function testing, chest X-ray, endocrinology
- Description: Operating on the campus of TriStar Centennial Medical Center since 1993, The Frist Clinic is a multispecialty practice whose pulmonology division treats chronic and acute respiratory conditions. The board-certified pulmonologists provide individualized care for COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary hypertension, supported by on-site diagnostic services including pulmonary function testing and chest imaging.
2. StatCare
- Address: 6473 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
- Phone: (865) 588-8831
- Website: https://statcaremed.net
- Rating: 4.9/5 (916 reviews)
- Services: pulmonary disease treatment, COPD management, pulmonary hypertension care, pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis, lung nodule evaluation, sleep medicine, critical care, interventional pulmonology, bronchoscopy
- Description: Founded in 1999, StatCare is one of the largest privately held hospitalist and pulmonary services groups in the nation, with 36 physicians across seven East Tennessee locations including Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Athens, and Johnson City. The practice holds Pulmonary Hypertension Association accreditation as a certified center of excellence and provides 24-hour after-hours assistance.
3. Memphis Lung Physicians Foundation
- Address: 2120 Exeter Rd, Suite 250, Germantown, TN 38138
- Phone: (901) 767-5864
- Website: https://memphislung.com
- Rating: 4.7/5 (115 reviews)
- Services: pulmonary disease diagnosis, COPD treatment, asthma management, interventional pulmonology, robotic bronchoscopy, medical thoracoscopy, EBUS, sleep studies, critical care services
- Description: Serving the Memphis area since 1980, Memphis Lung Physicians Foundation employs more than 20 providers across offices in Germantown and Collierville. The practice offers advanced interventional pulmonology procedures including robotic bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound, alongside comprehensive pulmonary and sleep medicine services.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pulmonologists in Tennessee
Q: What conditions does a pulmonologist treat?
A pulmonologist diagnoses and manages diseases of the lungs and respiratory system. Common conditions include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, and sleep apnea. Pulmonologists also perform diagnostic procedures such as bronchoscopy, pulmonary function tests, and sleep studies. In hospital settings, many pulmonologists are also trained in critical care medicine and manage patients in intensive care units.
Q: Do I need a referral to see a pulmonologist in Tennessee?
Most insurance plans in Tennessee, including many TennCare managed care plans, require a referral from a primary care physician before covering a pulmonologist visit. Some commercial PPO plans allow self-referral to specialists without a primary care referral. Contact your insurance provider before scheduling to confirm referral requirements and verify that the pulmonologist is in your plan’s network, as out-of-network visits may result in significantly higher costs.
Q: How do I verify a pulmonologist’s license in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners maintains a public license verification tool through the Tennessee Department of Health website at tn.gov/health. You can search by physician name to confirm an active, unrestricted license and check for any disciplinary actions. Board certification in pulmonary disease through the American Board of Internal Medicine can be verified separately at abim.org.
Q: What is the difference between a pulmonologist and a respiratory therapist?
A pulmonologist is a physician who has completed medical school, an internal medicine residency, and a fellowship in pulmonary medicine, typically totaling 10 or more years of post-college training. A respiratory therapist is a healthcare professional who has completed an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program and works under physician direction to administer breathing treatments, manage ventilators, and perform pulmonary function tests. In Tennessee, respiratory therapists are licensed by the Board of Respiratory Care under the Division of Health Related Boards.
Q: How prevalent is COPD in Tennessee compared to other states?
Tennessee is one of 11 states identified by the American Lung Association as having both the highest COPD prevalence rates and highest disease burden in the country. The state’s COPD rate exceeds the national average of approximately 5% of adults, placing Tennessee alongside West Virginia, Kentucky, Alabama, and Arkansas among the states most affected. Smoking rates, occupational exposures, and rural healthcare access gaps all contribute to the elevated prevalence.
Q: Does Tennessee Medicaid (TennCare) cover pulmonology visits?
TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program, covers medically necessary specialist visits including pulmonology appointments. Coverage typically requires a referral from an enrolled primary care provider and prior authorization for certain procedures or diagnostic tests. TennCare managed care organizations maintain their own provider networks, so patients should confirm that a specific pulmonologist participates in their assigned plan before scheduling.