Ask your primary doctor, family, and friends for a referral if you want to find a gastroenterologist.You can ask your insurer for a list of covered providers or search for one on your national board.Evaluate your prospective physicians by checking their credentials, searching for reviews, checking business practices, and finding out about their area of specialization.If you choose a gastroenterologist, make sure they accept your insurance plan and that any necessary procedures are covered.
Step 1: Refer someone to get a referral.
Do you know if your primary care doctor can recommend a gastroenterologist?If your friends, family, or other members of your social circle can offer you a referral, you should take it.If you know someone who has the same illness as you, ask them if they would recommend a gastroenterologist.You have options if you try to get more than one referral.
Step 2: You can search for a national gastroenterology board.
The website of your nation's board, college, or association of gastroenterology can be checked.They have a search tool on their website.If you live in the United States, you can use the American College of Gastroenterology's physician locator service.
Step 3: Look for a doctor near you.
When you put together a list of potential gastroenterologists, keep location in mind.It is easy to locate offices and hospitals that are close to your home.If you need someone to drive you home after an outpatient procedure, you should be able to find your gastroenterologist.
Step 4: Take the gender into account.
Consider if you would be more comfortable seeing a gastroenterologist who is the same gender as you.You should look for potential caregivers who are best suited to your needs because some gastroenterologists specialize in male or female anatomy.You can find information about a potential gastroenterologist on a hospital or private practice website.
Step 5: Check the credentials of potential gastroenterologists.
Make sure your potential gastroenterologists are board certified.A gastroenterologist must complete a two to three year residency in order to get specialized training.There are no charges against one with an active license.You can find the website for your state's medical board.Click the link and type in the gastroenterologist's name, city, and address.This will show you when the doctor was licensed, what year their license expires, and if there are any complaints against them.
Step 6: You can find reviews and patient satisfaction surveys online.
Physician private practices and hospitals have profiles on review websites.Search for your gastroenterologist on specific review sites and run a general search on a search engine.If you want to inquire about patient satisfaction surveys or testimonials, you can contact the office or hospital.Online reviews are not always objective or authoritative, so take them with a grain of salt.
Step 7: Check with the Better Business Bureau.
Look at the websites of your local business boards.You can check their rating by looking for their private practices or hospital.The Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce can give you information about your prospective physicians.You can get a referral from the Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce.
Step 8: Ask about their experience with your illness or procedure.
A good gastroenterologist has years of training and experience performing colonoscopies.If you have a specific disorder, you should make sure your doctors specialize in it.If you are having a colonoscopy, you should choose a gastroenterologist who performs more than 100 procedures a year.During the colonoscopies they do, they should remove any polyps they find.If you have a specific disorder, you should get a referral from your primary doctor.
Step 9: Evaluate your potential doctors' communication styles.
If you talk to a prospective gastroenterologist, you can get a feel for their bedside manner and personality.One who makes time for you will communicate clearly and engage your questions.If the doctor can spare a few minutes for a phone call or in-person conversation, ask.You might need to make an appointment to visit them if not.Will I need to be taken to the hospital?Is it necessary to fast before the procedure?Are there any potential problems?Try to find another specialist if you feel that they're rushing you or using unapproachable jargon.
Step 10: You can get a list of covered specialists from your insurer.
In the United States, insurance coverage is a primary concern when building a list of potential gastroenterologists.You don't want to choose a person who is out of your insurance network.Ask your insurer for a list of gastroenterologists who accept your insurance plan if you are concerned about coverage.
Step 11: If you don't know if your gastroenterologist is covered, contact your insurer.
If you find a gastroenterologist that you like, ask if they accept your insurance plan.Get in touch with your insurer to confirm you are covered.Ask for the name and position of your insurer's representative when you call.In case you have any problems getting your services covered, keep these and your phone call's other details in your records.
Step 12: Ask your insurer if there are procedures that need to be approved.
To avoid a surprise medical bill, look over your insurance policy and call your insurer to find out if a colonoscopy or other procedure requires prior approval.You should make sure that any other specialist or technician is in your network for any procedure.Asking the hospital for a list of everyone who could take part in your procedure is the best way to be sure.If you want to be seen by in-network medical professionals, tell the hospital.