Open Access Colonoscopy Procedure

All needed information is submitted via an online form. After receiving the online request, our scheduler will contact you to finalize the details for your colonoscopy.

The Open Access option simplifies the ability to schedule a colonoscopy by:

• Saving you the time of being at our office for a pre-procedure appointment
• Saving you the expense of an office visit co-pay

Qualifying patients for the open access option are those:

• Between the ages of 45 to 74
• Considered to be generally healthy
• Not on blood thinners, dialysis, and do not have an implanted defibrillator
• At average risk* for colon cancer. The criterion for determining if you are considered “average risk” are listed in the next section.

If you have any digestive issues or have one of the above health conditions, we recommend that you come into the office and meet with Dr. Brown or Megan Canady, our Physician Assistant, prior to scheduling your colonoscopy.

The office visit will consist of :

1. An evaluation by one of our Medical Assistants to gather your medication list, health history, and check your vitals.
2. Then, any digestive or health issues will be discussed with either Dr. Brown or Megan. Based on that discussion, a plan of action will be reviewed with you.
3. Next, you will be taken back to schedule your colonoscopy or other procedures with one of our Medical Assistants.
4. During your meeting with the Medical Assistant, you will be given the procedure day/time, where to go, and instructions on how to take your prep.

If you are scheduling a screening colonoscopy and don’t have any of the above issues, it is easiest to schedule without a prior office visit. However, if you have anything you would like to discuss, coming into the office is also easy and efficient.

The American Cancer Society’s current guidelines for people at average risk* of colorectal cancer screening are:

• Start regular screening at age 45
• Anyone with a family history of polyps or cancer should start before age 45
• African Americans should have their first colonoscopy before age 45

*Average Risk

For colon cancer screening, people are considered to be at average risk if they DO NOT have:

• A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
• A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• A personal history of getting radiation to the belly or pelvic area to treat a prior cancer

Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard colon cancer screening exam since it is the only exam that allows the GI doctor the ability to both DETECT and REMOVE polyps.

Other screening options can detect colorectal cancer. However, if you test positive you will then need to have a colonoscopy to confirm the test results and remove any polyps should they exist. These factors should be considered when deciding with cancer screening exam is best for you.

The colonoscopy is completely painless! You will be asleep throughout the procedure and most patients wake up very refreshed.

If anything abnormal is found during the colonoscopy, Dr. Brown can usually take care of it during the procedure. For example, the removal of a precancerous polyp is standard during the colonoscopy. After the exam, he will go over the procedure results with the patient. If any samples are sent in for pathology, our office will contact you within seven days to go over the results.

Like many other medical procedures, the cost of a Colonoscopy is determined based upon your insurance. The good news is that most insurance providers cover 100% of the screening colonoscopy expense.

However, we always recommend that patients should contact their insurance provider directly, in order to get a better understanding of the expenses related to their procedure.  If you or your insurance provider should need any clarification from our office, please contact us at 972-867-0019 and we will be happy to assist you.