As the end of the year approaches, many people have met their insurance deductible so that full insurance coverage kicks in for elective procedures. This makes it a great time to schedule medical care that is not immediately necessary.
What Medical Procedures Should I Schedule After Hitting Deductible?
Seeking medical care for conditions that are causing severe symptoms should not be delayed, nor should care for conditions that might worsen. For example, severe abdominal pain, left untreated, can result in a more serious problem in the not-too-distant future. Conversely, wellness and screening procedures can safely be left for the end of the year. Wellness visits are largely, and in most cases fully, covered by insurance. However, diagnostic testing and treatment of conditions that are not necessarily considered emergent, like GERD, Celiac’s, or IBS, might be delayed for a period of time or as recommended by your physician. Meeting deductible makes several of these diagnostic tests significantly more affordable for patients. Examples of GI procedures that patients frequently schedule after meeting their deductible are colonoscopy and upper endoscopy.
Colonoscopy Screening Recommendations
Colonoscopy is a vital screening tool for those with an increased risk of developing colon cancer and for individuals with problems impacting the colon. While a screening colonoscopy is not generally subject to the deductible, as it is a preventative procedure, diagnostic colonoscopy (used to diagnose a condition) may be subject to a deductible – even if the condition is discovered during a procedure that was originally used for screening. Gastroenterology Associates will review your screening/ wellness benefits and your copayments prior to the procedure, so there are no surprises for you after your procedure. We provide standard of care anesthesia services, even if some insurances do not always cover this, so there is no cost to the patient. Our patients benefit from effective and safe sedation. Current recommendations for people over the age of 50 state that everyone receive a colonoscopy at least every 10 years. Also, higher-risk groups should be screened earlier and more frequently to better prevent colon cancer. Speak with your doctor about earlier and more frequent screening if you:
- Are African-American
- Have a family history of colon cancer or polyps
- Have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Have a history of colon polyps or colon cancer
Make Your Appointment Now
Elective procedure appointments are in high demand near the end of the year and often shorter supply because many people who have met their deductible are using this period to schedule their colonoscopy and other procedures. So, make your GI appointments sooner rather than later to secure a space in this year. If you have met your deductible and are ready to get your colonoscopy or other elective procedure, we would be happy to schedule your appointment today. To schedule a consultation, find the nearest GI Alliance location to you.
