Didn't realize my previous Gastro Dr has retired. I'm due for a colonoscopy and have a history of stomach ulcers too so looking for a new Gastro MD. Any suggestions or recs?

Not sure what St J CommonSpirit network is ? Do you mean in network for someone who is employed by them with their health insurance? Or has privileges at the hospital ? If the later - don't ever have your study at the hospital unless you are an inpatient. StJ CommonSpirit does not have their own insurance product.

I highly recommend Dr. Phyllis Chang at Central Texas Gastroenterology.

Who was your gastro doctor, OP? I sure hope it wasn't mine who is great.

FlyRod said:

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Who was your gastro doctor, OP? I sure hope it wasn't mine who is great.

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Dr Ragupathy

Poor phrasing on my post, but someone who will accept blue cross and who i don't have to get a referral for through my primary.

St Joe's is sending us to Dr McNeely in The Woodlands at Baylor St Lukes (though apparently now its just Baylor?)

Your BCBS product may require a referral from primary. Is it a screening GI procedure or for a specific indication? If the later, if you have a HMO product a referral may be required. All that being said - go to Cen Tx Gi in Bryan.

Dr Charles Moore - Central Texas GI

No major symptoms, but due for a colonoscopy and cancer runs pretty rampant in my family so trying not to put it off anymore.

They dont take our HMO (United Healthcare). No one in town does as far as GI goes.

EBrazosAg said:

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Screening colonoscopy shouldn't require a referral ever.

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I completely agree and called my insurance company to tell them this. I needed a referral from my primary care physician whom I had not seen in a while since I had not been sick. I get my physical and blood work done with my annual "lady testing". Well, since I hadn't seen my primary in over a year, I couldn't get a referral without seeing him. Also, since I hadn't seen him in a year, I was now a "new patient" and the next available appointment was months in the future. All of these stupid roadblocks when it is obvious I am of the age to get a routine screening colonoscopy. I told my insurance company that I would think they would want me to get a colonoscopy to head off potentially more costly medical issues in the future!! The insurance person strategically solved this problem, but this shouldn't be a problem in the first place.

Central Texas Gastroenterology is great. They worked with my husband who wanted a non-sedated colonoscopy (weirdo), and my sedated experience was easy.

EBrazosAg said:

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Screening colonoscopy shouldn't require a referral ever.

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Oh, I didn't know this. I'll call CTG and see if I can get this set up. Thanks!

There are bad insurance companies and then there is United. They pay bad, they create more roadblocks and they deny more claims. The squeeze ain't worth the juice with them.

CEAg78 said:

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I highly recommend Dr. Phyllis Chang at Central Texas Gastroenterology.

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Likewise. She's great.