Seriously. I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking about it!
The previous poster's question was great, as I do not know what to expect at all either. My question is...how do you schedule one?
I have been thinking about this for a few days - and putting it off for almost a year (I know, I know, terrible!) - but what is stopping me from getting one at the moment is that I don't know who to call.
I don't have a primary physician. Is this something they do or they have to refer you for? Do I simply call one of the area hospitals to make an appointment? Are there clinics that specialize in something like this?
I need to get one because my brother had his colonoscopy last year and they found pre-cancerous polyps. His doctor advised him to call me and my other brother and have us get one since troubles can run in the family. So it's a not a doctor directly telling me yet I understand its importance and will do it.
Any ideas on what kind of doctor/clinic/hospital to call if I'm just doing it on my own?
And does anyone know if insurance will cover it since it's not specifically ordered (if needed, I suppose I could find a GP to recommend it, right?)?
Thanks!
Ugh.
Hi - I'm the PPer who is having one done. I went to a gastroenterologist to discuss issues I was having. She suggested getting one done. If you are not having any issues then call a gastroenterologist and ask what you need to do to schedule one.
Good luck!
Congratulations for your decision to make an appt for a colonoscopy. Gastroenterologists do this procedure in a hospital or in a day surgery center because you have an anesthesia procedure too. It is very easy the day of surgery. The preparation is harder but really not too unpleasant. JUST DO IT! Some insurance will let you schedule yourself, others require a referral from your PCP. If you have a family history, they will probably pay for it- it is preventative so my insurance covered it at 100%. Call your insurance company and find out today!
I have a strong family history and when my sister had polyps removed 7 years ago, her doctor told her to tell me to go in, just like your case. I do have a PCP but I happened to get an appt. with a nurse practitioner. She asked about family history and I told her about my sister. Not only did she tell me I needed one, she walked with me to the receptionist so that I had to make the appt. that very moment. My insurance covered almost all of it. I am only 47 and have had two already and nothing found so far. It is such a relief when it is over. I have two friends who are fighting colon cancer right now and I use them as my inspiration and to get the word out to people. Please just do it!
I agree with Dawn, you should have a PCP!
Ask your friends and family for referrals.
A gastroenterologist does colonoscopies. At the very least you'll probably have to schedule an office visit with O. to have him Rx O..
Most insurances don't require referrals for a specialist anymore.
Also I'm pretty sure a gastro could be your PCP. Get a name, call & ask! Don't put it off too long!
Good luck!
Susan B is correct. You can schedule a colonoscopy with a Gastroenterologist.
Preparing isn't really pleasant, but you really just have to drink a solution that loosens your bowels and clears you out until even the bile gone. When I had mine, I had already been having a serious bout with my diverticulosis and had been going back and forth between a clear liquid and low residue diet. It didn't take long for me to "clean out" ie. go through the diarrhea. You'll be given a kit as a prescription complete with instructions so don't worry about that. The doctor and the hospital and pharmacy all make sure that you have the information each step of the way.
You can call your local hospital's information desk and ask them how to schedule an appointment with a Gastroenterologist. They'll connect you right away.
A Colonoscopy is VERY important!! So glad you have made the decision to get one.
Who to call? Depends upon your insurance. You can call your provider and find out if you need a referral to a gastroenterologist - the doctor who typically does the colonoscopy. If you do - find a PCP in your area and go do the normal physical exam and then get the referral for the colonoscopy.
IT SHOULD be covered. All depends upon your insurance.
It's outpatient. If they find polyps, it might take a few hours. You are put in twilight sleep and put in a chair afterwards. It was 3 hours from check in to leaving for me.
You do NOT go back to work that day. You will be groggy.
The prep is kinda yucky - but it's a good thing - I lost 4 lbs in water weight when I did mine.
Good luck! Hope they don't find anything!!
if you have regular blue cross... and you do not need a referal.. you need to see a gastroenterologist .. go to an appt at his office and he will schedule the colonscope.
I would think you would want a gastroenterologist doing the scope.. someone that does the test every week. not a regular dr. who doesnt do it often.
if you have an hmo.. you might have to start with your regular dr.. get a referrral for the gastro dr.. yadda yadda..
If you are 50 or over, it should be covered by your insurance. If you AREN'T 50 or over, you should be finding a primary care physician and talking about this issue with your brother. With a referral based on family history, it could prevent you from having static from the insurance company regarding payment. What you don't want is to have to pay for the colonscopy because of your age and not having a referral.
Another reason you want to see a GP about this is that you want several names of good gastro doctors.
You need a GP anyway, D.. Bite the bullet and find one.
Good luck!
I would go to your primary care physician and explain about your family history. Your primary will probably refer you to a gastroenterologist who will determine if you need a colonoscopy. A gastroenterologist is the type of doctor that performs these procedures among other things.
I know you said that you don't have a primary but I believe you will need to go through a primary and referral to have it covered by insurance though that might not be the case depending on your plan.
Good luck!
Find a gastroenterologist. Our GP recommended one. Every insurance is different but after age 50, they generally pay for it. Call your insurance, as they might have a limited number of gastroenterologist they pay for.
My H had polyops and will have to have one every 5 yrs instead of 10 yrs.
You will have an initial appt then they schedule one where ever they do theirs. Good luck and get on it!
My primary physician ordered one for me. It was done at the nearest hospital where he is an active physician. You will take medication to clean your colon out the night before & I was asleep while the colonoscopy was done. I've heard that some people are not asleep. It will depend upon what the doctor orders. You should get in to see a doctor by reporting to the doctor what you were told by your brother; the doctor will take it from there! The process isn't nearly as ugly as it sounds in my opinion although it isn't something you'd want to do often. Haha!!!
