(630) 527-6450  |  Locations

FAQs

Office:

Can I have a procedure without having an office visit first?

If you are currently having symptoms, such as heartburn, rectal bleeding or other symptoms, you will need to be seen by a doctor prior to a procedure. If you are over 50 and do not have any symptoms, you are able to schedule a screening colonoscopy without having to be seen by a doctor.

Is there a co-pay for my visit?

Depending on your insurance benefits, you may have a co-pay or deductible amount that will be due on the day of your office visit or procedure. We suggest you contact your insurance company regarding your benefits. Feel free to call our billing department and we can assist you in retrieving this information.

Are there forms I need to fill out prior to the visit?

Please print out and complete the New Patient Packet prior to your appointment to expedite check-in.

What is the Patient Portal?

Our offices use MyChart – a free and secure website available through your computer or smartphone app giving you access to your medical information including lab/diagnostic results, appointment information, medications, immunizations, and more. MyChart allows you to communicate with medical staff securely through messaging, renew prescriptions, and manage your appointments.

Any of our staff would be happy to help you get signed up while in the office. To sign up outside of the office, go to mychart.eehealth.org. Click on the “New User” button to request an activation code, a code will then be sent to you via email.

What items do I need to bring with me for my first visit?

Please remember to bring your insurance card, photo ID, a referral by your primary care doctor (if needed) and a list of any medications you are currently taking (prescription and over-the-counter).

How soon should I cancel my appointment if I can’t make it?

Cancellations should be made as early as possible so we can fill your time slot with patients on our waiting list. Of course, we understand that last minute delays, complications, or emergencies arise, but we ask that you give our office a minimum of 3 business days’ notice for cancellation of an office visit. If you fail to do this, there will be a $100.00 fee assessed. To cancel or reschedule an appointment please call 630-527-6450 and select option 2 for scheduling.

Who do I contact for prescription refills?

Please contact your pharmacy for prescription refills. If authorization is needed, they will contact us directly. Please allow 72 hours for prescriptions to be completed.

How do I schedule an appointment?

To schedule and office visit with one of our physicians, please click here.

Do you offer lab services on site?

No, there are no lab services on site. Laboratory Providers: Quest, Lab Corp, and Edward Hospital

How long does it take to get my Lab, Pathology, and X-ray reports?

Please allow 2 weeks to have your laboratory, X-ray and pathology results sent via MyChart or by mail. Please be aware you may be told a different time frame by the facility rendering the testing. If you need anything prior to receiving your results, please call the office at 630-527-6450.

Why should I be checked for the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)?

The CDC has new recommendations that: Adults born during 1945 through 1965 ¹ without prior evidence of HCV (hepatitis C virus) risk factors should be tested once . The current estimated HCV antibody prevalence rate is 3.25%, in persons born during 1945–1965. This accounts for approximately three fourths of all chronic HCV infections amongst adults in the United States. Although effective treatments are currently available to clear HCV infection from the body, most persons with HCV do not know they are infected, do not receive needed care (e.g., education, counseling, and medical monitoring), and are not evaluated for treatment. To learn more about Hepatitis C, please click hereHCV testing is the first step toward improving health outcomes for persons infected with HCV.

¹ http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/populations/1945-1965.htm, retrieved 6/25/15

Procedure:

Why do I need to arrive early for the procedure?

Prior to a procedure, each patient is required to read and sign consent forms, be admitted by a nurse who will go over medical history and start an IV, as well as speak with the anesthesiologist and physician. We ask you to arrive 60 minutes prior to your scheduled procedure time to ensure all questions and concerns are addressed before your procedure.

What happens if I am unable to finish my prep?

If you are unable to finish your prep, please give our office a call at 630-527-6450 anytime. Our staff will be able to address your issue and assist you in adjusting your prep. If you call after our office is closed, our after-hours answering service will page the on-call doctor.

How soon should I cancel my procedure appointment if I can’t make it?

Cancellations should be made as early as possible so we can fill your time slot with patients on our waiting list. Of course, we understand that last minute delays, complications, or emergencies arise, but we ask that you give our office a minimum of 3 business days’ notice for cancellation of a procedure. If you fail to do this, there will be a $100.00 fee assessed. To cancel or reschedule an appointment please call 630-527-6450 and select option 2 for scheduling.

Am I able to drive after the procedure?

Because of sedation, you will need a friend or family member (taxi and car services are not permitted) to bring you to and from your appointment. You will not be permitted to drive or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours following your procedure. This driver MUST be with you at check in so we may verify you have a responsible adult taking you home. We are unable to perform the procedure if your driver is not with you at time of check in.

What should I bring with me to my procedure?

Please bring your insurance card and photo ID. Leave all valuables at home. Bring any cases for glasses, dentures or hearing aids. Review your insurance benefits so you may bring the proper payment, if required.

Should I take my medication the morning of the procedure?

When scheduling your appointment, our staff will review your medications and provide you with instructions for taking any medications the morning of your procedure. If you are taking medication for high blood pressure, asthma, or heart disease you will want to take these as usual with a sip of water – medications must be taken 2 hours prior to your procedure. All other medications must be reviewed with the doctor. Medications taken at night should not be affected.

Why do I need to be on a clear liquid diet during the prep?

Your colon needs to be clear of stool the day of your test. If you eat solid food the day prior to your test, your bowel is still processing the food and creating stool. If you have stool in your colon during the procedure, this impairs the doctor’s view, resulting in a possible repeat of the prep and the test.

What can I eat/drink on a clear liquid diet?

Clear liquids mean anything that is clear in consistency: color is not as important as consistency. Soda, coffee or tea are fine. Drink juices such as apple, white grape or white cranberry – avoid thick and pulpy juices. DO NOT drink milk or dairy products. Bouillon or clear broth is fine – no noodles, vegetables or meat. You are able to have gelatin without fruit. Avoid anything with red or orange artificial coloring.

I am diabetic. Can I take my insulin pill or injection prior to the procedure? What is the best time to schedule an appointment?

Since patients are unable to eat or drink anything the day of the procedure we suggest any patients who are diabetic schedule an early morning procedure. Please contact your primary care doctor for special instructions regarding your insulin. You may also call our office and we will assist you in contacting your doctor.

Do I need to stop my Coumadin and/or blood thinners prior to the procedure?

Patients on blood thinners must receive clearance from the prescribing physician prior to the procedure. It is important that you are in contact with your prescribing doctor and our staff to receive proper instructions regarding your blood thinner. Blood thinners are discontinued so if polyps are found, your doctor can safely remove them.

May I go back to my normal diet and activity after the procedure?

Patients are able to return to a normal diet unless otherwise instructed by their doctor. We suggest slowly advancing your diet and eating light foods that are easy to digest, since you have not eaten for 24 hours. We suggest breakfast foods, such as eggs and toast.

If polyps are removed (or if biopsies are taken) you may be told not to perform strenuous physical activities for up to 2 weeks.

Am I able to brush my teeth the morning of my procedure?

Yes. We ask that you do brush your teeth the day of your procedure. You may even use mouthwash, but do not swallow any water when rinsing.

I am currently on my period. Can I still have my procedure?

Yes. We simply ask that you wear a tampon, if you’re able to do so.

Insurance/Financial:

How do I know if I need a referral for my office appointment or procedure?

Many insurance plans, especially HMOs, require a referral or written authorization from a primary care doctor for each visit. Your PCP should be able to tell you if you need a referral, but ultimately it is your responsibility to know if a referral or written authorization is required before each visit, and to obtain one. You may call our billing department if you have any questions. We will refer to your current insurance and inform you if a referral is required.

What are my financial responsibilities for my upcoming procedure?

Depending on your insurance benefits, you may have a co-pay or deductible amount that will be due on the day of your office visit or procedure. Our billing specialist will assist you in contacting your insurance company about your benefits, but it is ultimately the patient’s responsibility. It is important for you to return the billing specialist’s call so you will know if any payments are due on the day of your procedure. Feel free to call our billing department and we can assist you in retrieving this information.

We accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.

Is there a co-pay for my visit?

Depending on your insurance benefits, you may have a co-pay or deductible amount that will be due on the day of your office visit or procedure. We suggest you contact your insurance company regarding your benefits. Feel free to call our billing department at (630)527-6450 option 6 and we can assist you in retrieving this information.

What is the difference between screening and diagnostic?

A screening colonoscopy is for patients who are 50 years or older and have no personal history of gastrointestinal disease, colon polyps and/or cancer and have no present gastrointestinal symptoms.  Patients in this category have not undergone a colonoscopy in the last 10 years. After the first colonoscopy is performed, any future colonoscopies could be considered diagnostic depending results of previous colonoscopy. A diagnostic colonoscopy is for patients who are currently showing symptoms or have a personal history of gastrointestinal disorders.

Is a pre-certification or prior authorization required before my procedure?

A pre-certification or prior authorization is required for most health insurance companies. You will need to contact our office to obtain certain codes regarding your procedure. You may then contact your insurance company with these codes to confirm your benefits and to see if any such authorization is required.

Suburban Gastroenterology