To find a gastroenterologist, begin by asking your personal physician for a referral. If you don’t have a personal physician, or you want to investigate other possibilities, ask for referrals from other sources. These sources include physician referral services offered through insurance companies and third-party marketing firms. Another option is to ask friends, co-workers, and family members for recommendations. Keep in mind that some gastroenterologists may only accept patients on a referral basis: This means that even if you find a gastroenterologist that you want to see, he or she may require you to get a referral from a primary care doctor first.
If you are concerned about your digestive health, visiting your own doctor is typically a good idea. After examining you, he or she may recommend that you find a gastroenterologist for further care. In most cases, your doctor will be able to give you one or more names of gastroenterologists in your area. In fact, many specialists, including gastroenterologists, will not accept appointments directly from new patients. Instead, you’ll need to get a referral from your own doctor before receiving specialized medical care. If you do not have a primary care physician of your own, your insurance company, government health program or public health department can help you find one.
If you want to try to find a gastroenterologist on your own, and you don’t have a doctor, ask people you know for recommendations. If you have health insurance, visit your insurance company’s physician network website or call its information hotline and ask the customer service representative to help you find a gastroenterologist. Some businesses also provide online or phone-based referral systems that can acquaint you with doctors in your area.
It is a good idea to investigate any recommendations that you receive, no matter how much you trust the opinion of the person who recommends the doctor to you. Your investigation should include contacting the licensing board for physicians in your jurisdiction and making sure that the doctor’s license is in good standing. You should also inquire as to whether he or she has been subject to disciplinary action due to malpractice or misconduct.
Consider any special needs that you might have when you try to find a gastroenterologist. For example, if you speak a different language than most of the residents in the country where you live, your search may include finding a doctor who speaks your language. If you have a tight schedule, proximity to where you work or live is often important. Finally, make sure that the gastroenterologist accepts your insurance plan. If you don’t have insurance, or the doctor doesn’t accept your plan, ask about payment plans or make sure that you can afford to pay his or her fees using cash or a credit card.
