Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant - Gastroenterology - Blount

Local GI market

53 gastroenterologists

within 30 miles. That is 15.5 per 100,000 adults aged 45-74, close to the US average (13.6).

38% of them finished medical school 30 or more years ago (US: 36%).

Source: CMS Doctors and Clinicians file; Census ACS 2019-2023.

Procedure mix nearby

65% colonoscopy

Medicare fee-for-service procedures billed within 30 miles in 2024: 15,271 colonoscopies, 7,691 EGDs, 252 ERCPs, 230 EUS.

ERCP volume is typical and EUS is typical for the population, compared with the US (adjusted for Medicare Advantage share). 96% done in a hospital or surgery center; 66% by gastroenterologists.

66.1% of adults 45-75 in this county are up to date on colorectal screening, 2.9 points above the state (63.2%).

56% of Medicare patients here are in Medicare Advantage (state: 54%). Medicare procedure counts above cover only the other 44%.

Source: CMS Medicare Physician and Other Practitioners by provider and service, 2024 (fee-for-service only; services for fewer than 11 patients hidden). CMS MA penetration; CDC PLACES 2025 (2022 survey).

Cost of living

Prices in Tennessee are 8.1% below the US average.

Tennessee has no state income tax on wages.

Source: BEA regional price parities, 2024. State level; big metros cost more. Tax: Tax Foundation 2026 state brackets.

Hospitals and surgery centers

10 hospitals, 21 surgery centers

within 30 miles. 10 of the hospitals run an emergency department; 4 of 9 rated hold 4 or 5 CMS stars.

Nearest: Blount Memorial Hospital (6 mi, 2 stars); University Health System, Inc (13 mi, 4 stars); Fort Loudoun Medical Center (13 mi, 4 stars).

6 of the surgery centers reported 10,472 Medicare outpatient colonoscopies in a year. More endoscopy centers usually means more ASC ownership and partnership options.

Source: CMS Care Compare, Hospital General Information and ASC Quality Reporting (ASC-12 colonoscopy cases, Medicare fee-for-service). Located by ZIP code.

State rules for your contract

Noncompete: Limited by state law

Allowed within statutory limits on time and distance. Emergency physicians exempt. Tenn. Code § 63-1-148. Usually covers only contracts signed after that date.

Interstate Medical Licensure Compact: member (faster multi-state licensing).

State law summary, not legal advice. Have a contract lawyer read your agreement. Source; IMLC states; all states.

Employer

Nonprofit health system, 501(c)(3)

The employer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. W-2 jobs with it usually count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Confirm which entity pays you.

Source

Visas (H-1B / J-1)

No H-1B filings for GI physicians from this employer in the data we hold. That does not mean it will not sponsor.

All GI H-1B filings in Tennessee: 17, median $500k.

This county has no current primary care shortage designation. State J-1 waiver contacts (3RNET).

Source: US Dept. of Labor LCA disclosure data (certified H-1B, FY2024-FY2026); HRSA HPSA data. All GI H-1B employers