Nationwide Colonoscopy Program
(For Patients with High Deductible Insurance)
| Get your colonoscopy in 4 easy steps! | |||
|
STEP 1 Request your appointment |
STEP 2 Return your forms |
STEP 3 Get your appointment confirmation |
STEP 4 Go for your Colonoscopy |
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ColonoscopyAssist program for patients with health insurance coverage?
The ColonoscopyAssist program offers colonoscopy procedures nationwide for a subsidized rate of $1075.
If you have a high-deductible insurance plan, or certain other insurance plans
that do not cover colonoscopies,
it may be beneficial for you to use the program.
Please read this page in its entirety for additional details.
If you are uninsured, please visit the Program Details for Uninsured
Patients page.
I have a high-deductible insurance plan. Does it make sense to use the program?
Yes. If you have a high-deductible insurance plan, the program
allows you to limit your out-of-pocket colonoscopy costs to
a maximum of $1075. Our $1075 rate is far lower than the
rate negotiated by most insurance plans.
You will need to pay for the
procedure out of pocket and then file a claim with your insurance plan
using our receipt to count against your deductible. Please keep in mind that the claim will count towards
your out-of-network benefits and not
your in-network benefits.
For example: if you have a $5000 deductible, you can get your colonoscopy through the program by paying $1075 out of pocket. If during the year, your healthcare costs exceed $5000, you can submit your ColonoscopyAssist receipts to your insurance provider to get reimbursed for your colonoscopy.
I have a high-deductible insurance plan. When does it not make sense to use the program?
While our program could result in significant savings, there are a few situations when it does not make sense for you to use our program.
1) You intend to use up your deductible with other medical treatment before the end of the year.
If you plan
on getting a significant amount of medical treatment during the remainder of the
year, it is better that you use an in-network provider to get your colonoscopy.
While you may have to pay significantly more out of pocket for your colonoscopy,
it will allow you to use up your in-network deductible. This will result in you
seeing savings towards the end of the year when you avail other medical
treatment.
2) Your plan deductible is less than $1500.
In this case even though your colonoscopy or EGD will cost more out of pocket by
using your insurance, your plan will cover most future medical expenses for the
year since you have met your deductible.
My insurance covers a screening colonoscopy at 100%, but does not cover my colonoscopy if polyps are found. Does it make sense to use the program?
Some plans do not count your colonoscopy as screening if polyps are found. If you have such an insurance plan, using the ColonoscopyAssist program could help limit your out of pocket expense.
You would use the program and pay out of pocket for your procedure and submit
your receipt to your plan for reimbursement.
If polyps were found and your plan does not reimburse
anything, your out-of-pocket cost is limited
to $1075.
If no polyps are found and your
colonoscopy is considered as a screening, you would be
able to recoup whatever amount your insurance will reimburse as out-of-network
benefits.
Can I use my Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for my colonoscopy?
Yes. You will receive an email receipt from ColonoscopyAssist that should be used when filing Form 8889 with your taxes. We highly recommend using your HSA account to pay for your colonoscopy. Most patients just use the debit card or check provided by their HSA account to pay.
Where can I have the colonoscopy procedure done?
ColonoscopyAssist offers the procedure at healthcare facilities across the United States.
If you are ready to submit an appointment request, you will be able to choose
the facility closest to you using our facility map tool. If you are not quite
ready, just give us a call and a representative will be able to tell you the
closest facilities based on your zip code.
Please pick your closest city here »
What does the $1075 flat rate include?
The $1075 flat rate is truly an all-inclusive rate. It includes all costs related to the procedure. There are no hidden charges or fine print and there is virtually no situation where you could see an additional charge. The price includes:
1) Physician fees
2) Facility fees including nurse costs
3) Sedation/Anesthesia costs
4) Removal of polyps
5) Pathology cost (Lab fees)
Note: Our fee includes the removal and pathology lab
fees for an
unlimited number of polyps and biopsies.
This is important as usually the colonoscopy fees does
not include pathology costs which sometimes exceeds the
cost of the procedure.
What does the $1075 flat rate not include?
1) Consultations. Consultations are
usually
not needed
for patients going through the program.
However, if you
would like a formal pre-procedure consultation or follow
up consultation you will be responsible for charges
associated with any consults requested. The program offers a discounted consult at approx
$100.
Please do not confuse a follow-up consult with getting your
results. A physician will
briefly to talk to you prior to your procedure and after
the procedure. This is included with our program.
2) Follow Up Care : Our procedure flat rate does not cover follow up treatment after the colonoscopy.
What if I have a lot of polyps or biopsies?
The whole point of the procedure is to find polyps.
The discounted rate includes
polyp removal and pathology for any number of polyps found without
restriction. That means they could find 2,3 or
even 12 polyps
and you would not be responsible for any extra cost.
Usually, the cost of pathology is significant. Pathology
from just 4 specimens could cost more than the price of
the procedure.
I'd like to get a colonoscopy. What is the process?
The process is as follows:
1) The first step is to Request an Appointment
by completing the appointment request form here.
You may also call our appointment line at (847) 986 8999 during business hours.
2) Once the request is made, you will be given the option to select your closest facility via our facility selection map tool and complete your scheduling forms online. If you prefer, you may also ask for a representative to call you and assign a facility and physician on the phone.
3) You will receive an appointment confirmation within 3 business days after your paperwork is completed. The physicians office will give you prep instructions at the same time.
4) You go for your scheduled colonoscopy procedure.
What are the payment terms?
Payments can be made with a debit card, credit card, HSA card, check or money
order and are due prior to the appointment date.
If you are unable to afford the entire payment at once, you can choose to apply
for an interest free payment plan available via a grant.
Can I cancel or reschedule my appointment?
We understand that life is unpredictable. There is no obligation to go through with an appointment once scheduled. You can cancel your appointment up to 2 business days prior to your appointment without any penalty. If you've made a payment you will receive a full refund.
Do you schedule Upper Endoscopy procedures?
Yes. An Upper Endoscopy can be scheduled at a subsidized rate at the same
time as a colonoscopy. The cost of an Upper GI Endoscopy is $975-$1175 if scheduled
alone or $820 if scheduled with a Colonoscopy.
Just select the procedure in your scheduling forms.
Will I get my procedure reports and results?
The physician will briefly inform you about his/her findings directly after
the procedure.
You will then receive a copy of your formal report from the program once it is
available. A copy of your report is also sent to your primary
physician.
How much does a colonoscopy cost on average?
Prices for colonoscopies vary greatly depending on the city and facility you
go to. You have to keep in mind that a colonoscopy results in the patient being
billed by 3-4 different entities. A patient should expect bills from:
- Consultation charge/office visit
- Physician Charge
- Facility fee
- Anesthesia fee
- Pathology fee
Without insurance, a patient should expect to pay $2500 - $3000 for a colonoscopy. A considerable savings can be achieved if you schedule through ColonoscopyAssist.
Why is the cost of a colonoscopy significantly lower through the program?
ColonoscopyAssist was founded on the principle that more people will get screened if the procedure is made affordable. The cost of the procedure is kept low through the program to encourage underinsured individuals to get screened. The rate is achieved through physicians and facilities that accept a discounted rate because they believe in the mission of the program. The wonderful physicians that participate in the program are the real ones to thank.
Will the procedure hurt?
Colonoscopies do not hurt. They do make you feel uncomfortable. To make the experience pleasant, we have included sedation / anesthesia costs into the price. You will be comfortable during your procedure.
How do I get started?
Getting started is simple. You can Request an Appointment here.
