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What happens during a colonoscopy?

During a colonoscopy, your doctor inserts a small, flexible tube into your digestive tract through the rectum. A small camera on the end of the tube allows the doctor to see the inside of your colon. The entire procedure takes about 30-60 minutes. If your doctor notices any polyps, the procedure may take longer so they can remove the polyps.

A colonoscopy can be done for several reasons. Starting at age 50, everyone should get a colonoscopy every 10 years. This is a screening procedure used to identify or even prevent colon cancer and typically covered by medical insurance.

Your doctor might recommend a colonoscopy if you are having gastrointestinal concerns such as bleeding, chronic diarrhea, or chronic constipation. This can help your doctor identify the cause of your problems and offer treatment solutions.

How many polyps are normal during a colonoscopy?

Should polyps be removed during a colonoscopy?

How large a polyp can be removed during a colonoscopy?

Do polyps grow back?

What happens if polyps are not removed?

How serious is a precancerous polyp?

What happens after they find and remove polyps?

* Savings estimate based on a study of more than 1 billion claims comparing self-pay (or cash pay) prices of a frequency-weighted market basket of procedures to insurer-negotiated rates for the same. Claims were collected between July 2017 and July 2019. R.Lawrence Van Horn, Arthur Laffer, Robert L.Metcalf. 2019. The Transformative Potential for Price Transparency in Healthcare: Benefits for Consumers and Providers. Health Management Policy and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 3.

Sidecar Health offers and administers a variety of plans including ACA compliant and excepted benefit plans. Coverage and plan options may vary or may not be available in all states.

Your actual costs may be higher or lower than these cost estimates. Check with your provider and health plan details to confirm the costs that you may be charged for a service or procedure.You are responsible for costs that are not covered and for getting any pre-authorizations or referrals required by your health plan. Neither payments nor benefits are guaranteed. Provider data, including price data, provided in part by Turquoise Health.

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