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Why would you need a diagnostic colonoscopy?

Doctors often prescribe diagnostic colonoscopies when they suspect a patient has colorectal or gastrointestinal issues or if you have risk factors for colon cancer. These procedures occur at the onset of symptoms rather than as a regular examination.

You may need diagnostic colonoscopy if you:

  • experience unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms.
  • have risk factors for colorectal cancer.
  • are found to have blood in a stool sample test 

Or you may have unexplained symptoms, such as:

  • blood in the stool.
  • anemia.
  • abdominal cramping or pain.
  • vomiting.
  • anemia.
  • weight loss.
  • chronic diarrhea or constipation.
  • excessive gas or bloating.

The following factors make you at higher risk for colon cancer:

  • being male.
  • being African American.
  • having a family history of polyps or colon cancer.
  • having a bowel disease.
  • having a genetic disorder like Lynch syndrome that increases your cancer risk.
  • being overweight.
  • smoking cigarettes.

What is a diagnostic colonoscopy?

How long does a diagnostic colonoscopy take?

Are you asleep during a colonoscopy?

How do you feel after a diagnostic colonoscopy?

How long after a colonoscopy can you eat and drink again?

Do you get results immediately after the colonoscopy?

What is the difference between a regular colonoscopy and a diagnostic colonoscopy?

* 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.

The site is not a substitute for medical or healthcare advice and does not serve as a recommendation for a particular provider or type of medical or healthcare.